Analysis of gene expression profiles in pancreatic carcinoma by using cDNA microarray.

OBJECTIVES

To survey the gene expression profiles in pancreatic carcinoma by using cDNA microarray and detect target genes for further study.

METHODS

Three mixed samples from 2 cases of normal pancreatic tissue and 4 cases of moderate-differentiated pancreatic carcinoma were studied by means of cDNA microarray consisting of 18 000 genes.

RESULTS

1484 and 1353 different expressed genes were observed in two cancer samples respectively. We identified 455 genes altered with the same tendency in both samples, including 102 up-regulated and 353 down-regulated genes. There were 274 known genes and 181 unknown genes; 27.8% and 52.0% genes respectively had an expression level in cancer that was 2-fold higher or lower than that in normal samples. Tumor suppressor genes, growth factors and receptor genes, signal conduction genes, transcription factor genes were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

cDNA microarray is an efficient and high-throughout method to investigate gene expression profiles in pancreatic carcinoma. MBD1, EDG1 and gene hypermethylation mechanism would play an important role in the pathogenesis of pancreatic carcinoma.