Objective: To investigate the role of mutation and mRNA expression of tumor suppressor gene phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted in chromosome 10 (PTEN) in tumorigenesis and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).
Methods: The mutation of exon 3, 5, 6 and exon 8 of PTEN gene in 42 oral squamous cell carcinoma tissue and paired normal tissue were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing methods. The levels of PTEN mRNA expression in these tissues were assayed using semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Data was analyzed with SPSS 14.0 software package.
Results: Mutated exon 5 of PTEN gene was found in 2 cases of advanced OSCC. The expression of PTEN mRNA was detected in all OSCC and paired normal tissue. The level of PTEN mRNA in OSCC tissue (0.36 +/- 0.12) was significantly lower than that of paired normal tissue (0.64 +/- 0.09, P < 0.01).
Conclusions: The decreased expression of PTEN mRNA contributes to tumorigenesis of OSCC.