Annexin IV is Differentially Expressed in Clear Cell Carcinoma of the Ovary

Objective: To investigate the genes that were differentially expressed between clear cell carcinoma (CCC) and serous carcinoma (SAC) of the ovary with complementary DNA microarray. Methods: Complementary DNA microarray was carried out in 8 CCCs and 8 SACs of the ovary. Differentially expressed genes were identified and verified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The expression of the protein was also verified with immnunohistochemistry and Western blot in cells and tissues of ovarian CCC. Results: Comparison of the gene expression profiling identified 21 genes with more than 2-fold different expression between CCC and SAC of the ovary. The up-regulated and down-regulated genes were 9 and 12, respectively. The verification of Annexin IV in the cell line and tissues was in accordance with the result of the microarray. Conclusions: The complementary DNA microarray technique is a feasible way to explore the difference of the gene expression profiling between the 2 types of ovarian carcinoma. The overexpression of Annexin IV may be an ovarian CCC-specific molecular marker.