Study on expressions of PTEN mRNA and protein in ovarian endometrioma

Objective: To investigate PTEN mRNA and protein expressions in the ovarian endometrioma and its clinical significance.Methods: The expressions of PTEN mRNA and protein were examined by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry respectively in the ovarian endometrioma and normal ovarian tissues.The clinical characteristics were compared and clinical significance was analyzed.Results: The mRNA expressions of exons 1-9,5-9 in PTEN gene in ovarian endometrioma tissues were significantly higher than those in normal ovarian tissues(P0.01,P0.05).The expression level of PTEN mRNA in ovarian endometriosis was related to staging(P0.01),but not to the patient age or the size of cyst(P0.05).There was no significant difference in the expression of PTEN protein between ovarian endometrioma and normal ovarian tissues(P0.05).Conclusion: The abnormal expressions of PTEN mRNA and protein may represent an early event in the genesis of ovarian endometrioma.