Leicester Royal Infirmary

About: Leicester Royal Infirmary is a healthcare organization based out in Leicester, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Carotid endarterectomy. The organization has 5300 authors who have published 6204 publications receiving 208464 citations.

Overexpression of the Nek2 Kinase in Colorectal Cancer Correlates With Beta-Catenin Relocalization and Shortened Cancer-Specific Survival

Abstract: The serine/threonine kinase Nek2 (NIMA‐related kinase 2) regulates centrosome separation and mitotic progression, with overexpression causing inductionofaneuploidyinvitro.Overexpression mayalsoenabletumourprogressionthrougheffects uponAktsignalling, celladhesionmarkersand the Wnt pathway. The objective of this study was to examine Nek2 protein expression in colorectal cancer (CRC). Nek2 protein expression was examined in a panel of CRC cell lines using Western blotting and immunofluorescence microscopy. Nek2 and beta‐catenin expression were examined by immunohistochemistry in a series of resected CRC, as well as their matched lymph node and liver metastases, and correlated with clinicopathological characteristics. Nek2 protein expression in all CRC lines examined was higher than in the immortalised colonocyte line HCEC. Nek2 overexpression was present in 86.4% of resected CRC and was significantly associated with advancing AJCC tumour stage and shortened cancer‐specific survival. Elevated Nek2 expression was maintained within all matched metastases from overexpressing primary tumours. Nek2 overexpression was significantly associated with lower tumour membranous beta‐catenin expression and higher cytoplasmic and nuclear beta‐ catenin accumulation. These data support a role for Nek2 in CRC progression and confirm potential for Nek2 inhibition as a therapeutic avenue in CRC. J. Surg. Oncol. . 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Identification of a human ribosomal protein mRNA with increased expression in colorectal tumours

Abstract: A human ribosomal protein cDNA was selected from a normal colon cDNA library on the basis of overexpression in familial adenomatous polyposis. Nucleotide sequence analysis was used to identify this cDNA as corresponding to the human equivalent of the rat ribosomal protein L31 (HL31). We have quantified the expression of HL31 mRNA in colorectal tumours and found overexpression in 23 out of 23 cases. Our results indicate that HL31 is associated with a malfunction of normal growth regulatory mechanisms in these tumours, and suggest a role for HL31 in proliferation and neoplasia.