Somatic mutations of VHL gene and HIF-1alpha expression in primary renal clear cell carcinomas

To evaluate the significance of somatic mutations of VHL gene and hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) expression in primary renal clear cell carcinoma (RCC).Mutation of VHL gene and HIF-1alpha expression were detected by means of PCR, denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC), direct sequencing and immunohistochemistry in 32 samples from primary renal clear cell carcinoma patients.In 32 RCC samples, 17 samples (53.1%) had and 32 samples of adjacent nonmalignant renal tissue had not mutations of VHL gene expression. Twelve RCC samples (70.6%) which had mutations of VHL gene expressed HIF-1alpha, and it had significant difference to 4 RCC (26.7%) samples which didn't have mutations of VHL gene (P < 0.05).Mutations of VHL gene may play a significant role in the tumorigenesis of RCC, and HIF-1alpha expression correlates with it.PubMed04196-2004