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.