High-grade human brain tumors exhibit increased expression of myelin transcription factor 1 (MYT1), a zinc finger DNA-binding protein.

Detection and characterization of distinct central nervous system (CNS) tumor cell types is clinically important since distinct tumor types are associated with different prognoses and treatments. However, there is currently a lack of markers to identify certain glioma types and insufficient understanding as to which cells give rise to different glioma cell types. In the present study, biopsy specimens from human brain tumors were analyzed for expression of Myelin Transcription Factor 1 (MYT1) to explore the extent to which glioma cells reflect characteristic expression of MYT1 in developing glial progenitor cells. Immunostaining with an antibody against MYT1 revealed widespread immunoreactivity that was most prominent in high-grade oligodendrogliomas, astrocytomas, and mixed oligoastrocytomas as well as in a dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor. MYT1 immunoreactivity in tumor regions generally correlated with the prevalence of cells exhibiting nuclear immunolabeling with an antibody against Ki-67, suggesting an association of MYT1 with cell proliferation that was also observed in normal adult human and rat brain in the germinal subependymal zone. The MYT1 immunoreactivity was frequently nuclear, appearing as dotted or punctate, but in some cases it was localized to the cytoplasm. In combination with histopathological studies and analysis of Ki-67 immunoreactivity, examination of MYT1 immunolabeling may provide additional information to aid in the detection and diagnosis of CNS tumors.