Expression of two testis-specific genes, TSGA10 and SYCP3, in different cancers regarding to their pathological features Maryam Beigom Mobasheri MSc a , Issa Jahanzad MD b , Mohammad Ali Mohagheghi MD c , Mahmoud Aarabi MD d , Shima Farzan MD a , Mohammad Hossein Modarressi MD PhD a,d, * a Department of Medical Genetics, Medical Sciences/University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran b Department of Pathology, Medical Sciences/University of Tehran, Iran c Cancer Institute, Medical Sciences/University of Tehran, Iran d Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avesina Research Institute, Tehran, Iran Accepted 22 May 2007 Abstract Background: Cancer–testis genes are a group of genes expressed in testicular germinal cells and a range of human cancers. Testis-specific gene A10 (TSGA10) is expressed in testis and actively dividing and fetal differentiating tissues. Mouse homologue (Tsga10) mRNA is translated to a 65 kDa protein and appears to be processed to a major fibrous sheath protein of sperm tail. SYCP3 gene is supposed to be a testis-specific gene and constitutes the core of the lateral elements of synaptonemal complex. It has role in regulating DNA binding to the chromatid axis, sister chromatid cohesion, synapsis, and recombination. Methods: In this study expression of TSGA10 and SYCP3 were investigated in different cancers (156 tumor samples) using RT-PCR. Diagnosis of cancer was based on histopathological reports. The association with histopathological characteristics of tumors was analyzed using statistical programs. Results: TSGA10 expression was observed in 83% of brain tumors, 66% of breast cancers, 58% of gastrointestinal tumors, 66% of skin tumors and 53% of soft tissue tumors. But, SYCP3 transcripts were found in four tumor samples (moderately differentiated gemistocytic astrocytoma, pituitary adenoma, glioma and an ovarian tumor). Conclusion: These results may get further insight into TSGA10, but not SYCP3, potential role as a cancer marker and a cancer testis gene implicated in tumorogenesis of cancers. # 2007 International Society for Preventive Oncology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Cancer–testis genes; TSGA10; Tumor antigens; Gene expression; SYCP3; Histopathology 1. Introduction Cancer–testis (CT) genes are a group of genes expressed in male germinal cells and a range of human cancers. CT genes can be divided to those encoded either on X chromosome or not [1]. In testis, they are expressed during spermatogenesis, usually in spermatocytes. Up to now, more than 44 distinct CT protein families have been identified. While 22 of them are tandemly repeated on X chromosome, most induce cell proliferation in normal testis. On the other hand, the rest of the CT genes are located on other chromosomes and rarely repeated, resulting in cell differentiation in spermatogenesis [1]. They have roles in meiosis and their aberrant expression in cancer cells might cause abnormal chromosome segregation and irregular cell divisions. Therefore, CT proteins are being evaluated for their role in oncogenesis [1]. Many questions regarding cancer testis genes remains unknown, including the biological function of their protein products, and the elucidation of the factors that control their expression in normal tissues and cancer. Epigenetic events www.elsevier.com/locate/cdp Cancer Detection and Prevention 31 (2007) 296–302 Abbreviations: BCC, basal cell carcinoma; CRC, colorectal cancer; EB, ethidium bromide; GI, gastrointestinal; MAD, mitotic arrest deficient; RT-PCR, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction; SCC, squamous cell carcinoma. * Corresponding author at: Department of Medical Genetics, Medical Sciences/University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. Tel.: +98 21 88953005; fax: +98 21 66404577. E-mail address: modaresi@sina.tums.ac.ir (M.H. Modarressi). 0361-090X/$30.00 # 2007 International Society for Preventive Oncology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.cdp.2007.05.002