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Diagnostic Pathology
Published in: Diagnostic Pathology 1/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | Research

Aurora-A kinase is differentially expressed in the nucleus and cytoplasm in normal Müllerian epithelium and benign, borderline and malignant serous ovarian neoplasms

Authors: Khaled J. Alkhateeb, Jason E. Crane, Müge Sak, Caitlin J. Jorgensen, James P. O’Donnell, Cory T. Zumbar, Jason A. Wozniak, Clarence R. Salazar, Anil V. Parwani, Norman L. Lehman

Published in: Diagnostic Pathology | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Background

Aurora-A kinase is important for cellular proliferation and is implicated in the tumorigenesis of several malignancies, including of the ovary. Information regarding the expression patterns of Aurora-A in normal Müllerian epithelium as well as benign, borderline and malignant epithelial ovarian neoplasms is limited.

Methods

We investigated Aurora-A expression by immunohistochemistry in 15 benign, 19 borderline and 17 malignant ovarian serous tumors, and 16 benign, 8 borderline, and 2 malignant ovarian mucinous tumors. Twelve fimbriae from seven patients served as normal Müllerian epithelium controls. We also examined Aurora-A protein expression by western blot in normal fimbriae and tumor specimens.

Results

All normal fimbriae (n = 12) showed nuclear but not cytoplasmic Aurora-A immunoreactivity by immunohistochemistry. Benign ovarian tumors also showed strong nuclear Aurora-A immunoreactivity. Forty-eight percent (13/27) of borderline tumors demonstrated nuclear Aurora-A immunoreactivity, while the remainder (52%, 14/27) lacked Aurora-A staining. Nuclear Aurora-A immunoreactivity was absent in all malignant serous tumors, however, 47% (8/17) demonstrated perinuclear cytoplasmic staining. These results were statistically significant when tumor class (benign/borderline/malignant) was compared to immunoreactivity localization or intensity (Fisher Exact Test, p < 0.01). Western blot analysis confirmed the greater nuclear Aurora-A expression in control Müllerian epithelium compared to borderline and malignant tumors.

Conclusion

Aurora-A kinase is differentially expressed across normal Müllerian epithelium, benign and borderline serous and mucinous ovarian epithelial neoplasms and malignant serous ovarian tumors., with nuclear expression of unphosphorylated Aurora-A being present in normal and benign neoplastic epithelium, and lost in malignant serous neoplasms. Further studies of the possible biological and clinical implications of the loss of nuclear Aurora-A expression in ovarian tumors, and its role in ovarian carcinogenesis are warranted.
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Metadata
Title
Aurora-A kinase is differentially expressed in the nucleus and cytoplasm in normal Müllerian epithelium and benign, borderline and malignant serous ovarian neoplasms
Authors
Khaled J. Alkhateeb
Jason E. Crane
Müge Sak
Caitlin J. Jorgensen
James P. O’Donnell
Cory T. Zumbar
Jason A. Wozniak
Clarence R. Salazar
Anil V. Parwani
Norman L. Lehman
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Diagnostic Pathology / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1746-1596
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13000-021-01158-4

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