The phosphoprotein Op18/stathmin is differentially expressed in ovarian cancer

To identify potential prognostic indicators of ovarian cancer and identify targets for therapeutic strategies, mRNA differential display was used to a nalyze gene expression differences in normal, benign, and cancerous ovarian tissue. One cDNA isolated by this technique, Op18/stathmin, is a highly co nserved gene that is reported to have many different functions within a cel l, including signal transduction, control of the cell cycle, and the regula tion of microtubules. Quantitative Northern blot analysis of 12 malignant o varian samples, 8 benign ovarian tumors, and 10 normal ovarian tissue sampl es demonstrated overexpression of Op18/stathmin mRNA in the malignant cance rs. Immunohistochemistry showed an apparent overexpression of Op18/stathmin protein level and an association with proliferating cells.