SATB1 is Down-regulated in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma and Correlates with miR-21-5p Overexpression and Poor Prognosis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Altered expression of special AT-rich sequence binding protein 1 (SATB1) was reported in several types of human cancers. This study aimed to determine the expression levels of SATB1, as well as miR-21-5p -the post-transcriptional repressor of SATB1 expression- in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and to investigate their association with the progression of ccRCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction were used to assess the expression of SATB1 protein and mRNA as well as miR-21-5p in tumor and matched normal kidney tissues collected from 56 ccRCC patients. RESULTS: Nuclear SATB1 immunoreactivity was elevated in ccRCC cells while its cytoplasmic expression was decreased. SATB1 mRNA level was down-regulated in ccRCC tissue and inversely correlated with the content of miR-21-5p. Down-regulation of SATB1 mRNA and up-regulation of miR-21-5p were associated with shorter patient survival. CONCLUSION: Decreased expression of SATB1 in ccRCC may result from over-expressed miR-21-5p. Our data suggest that SATB1 may have a potential value as a prognostic marker in ccRCC.