Cutaneous SCC and the DNA Damage Response: pATM Expression Patterns in Pre-Malignant and Malignant Keratinocyte Skin Lesions
2011

Study of pATM Expression in Skin Lesions

publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Ismail Ferina, Ikram Mohamed, Purdie Karin, Harwood Catherine, Leigh Irene, Storey Alan

Primary Institution: Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London

Hypothesis

The DNA damage response acts as a barrier to cutaneous tumor formation.

Conclusion

The study found that pATM expression is greater in precancerous keratinocyte lesions compared to invasive lesions, suggesting a unique role of the DNA damage response in skin carcinogenesis.

Supporting Evidence

  • pATM was mainly localized to the Golgi apparatus in normal human primary keratinocytes.
  • Upon UV irradiation, pATM transiently localized to the nucleus, indicating a response to DNA damage.
  • Pre-cancerous lesions showed greater nuclear pATM expression compared to invasive lesions.

Takeaway

This study looked at how a protein called pATM behaves in skin cells that are damaged by UV light, finding that it helps protect against skin cancer in early stages.

Methodology

The study used immunohistochemistry to analyze pATM expression in cultured keratinocytes, skin explants, and various stages of keratinocyte skin lesions.

Potential Biases

Potential bias in the selection of tissue samples and interpretation of immunohistochemistry results.

Limitations

The study primarily focused on a limited number of skin lesions and may not represent all types of skin cancers.

Participant Demographics

Caucasian subjects, including a 30-year-old woman and a 55-year-old renal transplant recipient.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0021271

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