OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlations between p14(ARF) and E2F-1, and the role of their alterations in the tumorigenesis of the lung cancer in Gejiu and Xuanwei regions in Yunnan Province for providing the important experiment basis in revealing the molecular mechanism and looking for new markers for early diagnosis of lung cancer.

METHODSThe expression of p14(ARF) and E2F-1 was detected at theirs protein level by Immunohistochemistry S-P method in 30 specimens of lung cancer of Gejiu tin miners, 30 specimens of lung cancer of Xuanwei peasants and 20 specimens of normal lung tissue. E2F-1 mRNA was detected by ISH in 25 specimens of lung cancer of Gejiu tin miners, 25 specimens of lung cancer of Xuanwei peasants and 10 specimens of normal lung tissue. The positive signals were quantitatively analysed by HPIAS-100.

RESULTSThe positive unit (PU) of p14(ARF) and E2F-1 was 16.44 +/- 4.85 and 47.39 +/- 5.43 in Gejiu group, and 16.79 +/- 3.55 and 48.15 +/- 9.11 in Xuanwei group. Expression of p14(ARF) and E2F-1 protein in lung cancer of Gejiu and Xuanwei were statistically different compared with that in the normal lung (P < 0.01) respectively; The PU of E2F-1 mRNA was 48.58 +/- 7.75 in Gejiu group, and 49.41 +/- 8.53 in Xuanwei group, which was higher than that in normal tissue group. The differences were significant (P < 0.01). There was positive correlation between the expression of E2F-1 protein and E2F-1 mRNA in Gejiu group, Xuanwei group and normal group (P < 0.01, r = 0.833). The expression of p14(ARF) protein was significantly negatively correlated with the expression of E2F-1 protein (P < 0.01, r = -0.830).

CONCLUSIONThere is the over-expression of E2F-1 gene and the deletion of p14(ARF) gene in the tumorigenesis of the lung cancer in Gejiu and Xuanwei regions in Yunnan Province. Over-expression of E2F-1 protein in lung cancer may be caused by enhanced transcription.