Correlation between transcription factor activator protein-2β (TFAP-2β) and endometrial carcinoma

Aims: To investigate the correlation between transcription factor activator protein-2 beta (TFAP-2 beta) and endometrial carcinoma (EC). Materials and Methods: The study comprised 60 randomly selected patients diagnosed and treated at the 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University from November 2011 to June 2012 for endometrial carcinoma (n = 30) and myoma of uterus (n = 30). The expression of TFAP-2 beta mRNA in endometrial carcinoma was analyzed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and venous blood samples were obtained before abdominal surgery clinically. Results: The expression of TFAP-2 beta mRNA in endometrial tissue of patients with EC was higher than that of normal endometrium (p < 0.05). The expression of TFAP-2 beta mRNA in endometrial tissue of patients with metabolism syndrome was higher than that of lean ones (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the expression of TFAP-2 beta mRNA in endometrial tissue between patients with both EC and metabolism syndrome and in those with EC only. The expression levels of TFAP-2 beta mRNA had positive correlation with triglyceride (r = 0.271, p < 0.05) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (r = 0.314, p < 0.05). There was no significant correlation between the expression of TFAP-2 beta mRNA and CA125, fasting plasma glucose, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), waist circumference, total cholesterol, and BMI. Conclusions: TFAP-2 beta constituted promoter activity in EC and also contributed to the development of the metabolic syndrome. TFAP-2 beta may influence the occurrence and development of EC through regulating the expression of various adipokines and lipoprotein metabolism. Probably TFAP-2 beta can be a candidate tumor marker for EC.