Cystathione beta-Synthase Is Increased in Thyroid Malignancies

Background: Cystathione beta-synthase (CBS) catalyzes the conversion of homocysteine and cysteine to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and cystathione, via the transsulfuration pathway. CBS protein expression levels are increased in several different human malignancies, with increased protein expression correlating with parameters such as tumor stage, anaplasia, metastases, and chemotherapy resistance. Materials and Methods: This study employed tissue microarrays to examine CBS expression in benign thyroid tissue, thyroid oncocytomas, thyroid follicular adenomas, and in follicular, papillary, anaplastic, and medullary thyroid carcinomas. Results: CBS expression was increased in all thyroid carcinomas types compared to benign thyroid tissue, but not in thyroid follicular adenomas or oncocytomas. A similar pattern was observed for nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) tissue microarray analysis comparing thyroid adenomas and follicular carcinomas. Conclusion: For the first time, we showed that an H2S-syntheszing enzyme plays a role in thyroid malignancies. Additionally, our data suggest that CBS and NAMPT immunohistochemistry may be useful in differentiating follicular adenomas from follicular carcinomas.