Transcriptional over-expression of chloride intracellular channels 3 and 4 in malignant pleural mesothelioma

Computational Biology and Chemistry 2015 September 28 [Epub ahead of print] [Link]

Tasiopoulou V, Magouliotis D, Solenov EI, Vavougios G, Molyvdas PA, Gourgoulianis KI, Hatzoglou C, Zarogiannis SG.

Abstract

Background

Chloride Intracellular Channels (CLICs) are contributing to the regulation of multiple cellular functions. CLICs have been found over-expressed in several malignancies, and therefore they are currently considered as potential drug targets. The goal of our study was to assess the gene expression levels of the CLIC’s 1-6 in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) as compared to controls.

Methods

Chloride Intracellular Channels (CLICs) are contributing to the regulation of multiple cellular functions. CLICs have been found over-expressed in several malignancies, and therefore they are currently considered as potential drug targets. The goal of our study was to assess the gene expression levels of the CLIC’s 1-6 in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) as compared to controls.

Results

In MPM, the gene expressions of CLIC3 and CLIC4 were significantly increased compared to controls (p=0.001 and p<0.001 respectively). A significant positive correlation between the gene expressions of CLIC3 and CLIC4 (p=0.0008 and Pearson's r=0.51) was found. Deming regression analysis provided an association equation between the CLIC3 and CLIC4 gene expressions: CLIC3=4.42CLIC4-10.07.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that CLIC3 and CLIC4 are over-expressed in human MPM. Moreover, their expressions correlate suggesting that they either share common gene expression inducers or that their products act synergistically. FAEGO showed that CLIC interactome might contribute to TGF beta signaling and water transport.