Widespread Expression of γ-Glutamyl Cyclotransferase Suggests It Is Not a General Tumor Marker
Year: 2011
Type: article
Abstract: γ-Glutamyl cyclotransferase (GGCT) contributes to the γ-glutamyl cycle that regulates glutathione metabolism. Although GGCT has been implicated in several studies as a possible cancer marker, little is known about its distribution in cells and tissues. The authors investigated GGCT expression in normal tissues and tumors using Western blots and immunohistochemistry with a novel anti-GGCT monoclonal antibody. GGCT was detected in most organs and was mainly found in epithelial cells. Although the intracellular distribution was mainly cytoplasmic, in some situations, nuclear staining was strong. A significant increase in the expression of GGCT was found in tumors of the lung, esophagus, stomach, bile duct, and uterine cervix. In contrast, there was a significant decrease in expression in renal and urothelial tumors. These results suggest that GGCT may be a biomarker of tumors in a limited range of organs.
Authors: Tomonari Amano, Yoshinobu Eishi, Tetsuo Yamada, Keisuke Uchida, Kana Minegishi, Tomoki Tamura, Daisuke Kobayashi, Kawachi Hiroshi, Takashige Suzuki, Philip G. Board
Language: English
Topic: Sulfur Compounds in Biology
Subfield: Biochemistry
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2057733993