Introduction: Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignancies in the world, which leads to high mortality. HMGA family (High-mobility group) are regulatory proteins of chromatin structure and are particularly important in tumorigenesis.
This study aimed to investigate the expression changes of this protein in the affected population of Khuzestan (Iran).
Methods: In this study, a total of 60 tissue samples including 30 gastric cancer tumor samples and 30 non-tumor samples (tumor margins) were purchased from the tumor tissue bank of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ahvaz. After extracting RNA and evaluating its quantity and quality with a nanodrop device and agarose gel electrophoresis, a Real-time PCR technique was used to check the expression of HMGA-1 and HMGA-2 genes. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism 9.2.0.332 statistical software and t-test and ANOVA statistical analysis methods.
Results: The results showed that comparing the relative expression of the HMGA-1 gene in tumor samples to non-tumor samples increased by 17 times and significantly (P-value=0.0001). Also, this increase in HMGA-2 gene expression in tumor samples was 15 times compared to normal samples and showed a significant increase (P-value=0.0038).
Conclusion: The results showed an increase in the expression of HMGA-1 and HMGA-2 genes in cancer cells of the affected population of Khuzestan province (Iran). This issue and the identification of their mechanism can be helpful in the treatment of patients; Therefore, it is recommended to identify the effect path of these genes in future studies.
Keywords: Gastric cancer; HMGA1, HMGA2, clinicopathological features