Significance of genes encoding peptide processing factors In differential diagnosis of benign and malignant pheochromocytomas

By means of GeXP (gene expression profiling),quantitative analysis was carried out to investigate the gene expression on pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma specimens.30 samples were collectcd from 16 patients with benign pheochromocytoma and 14 with malignant pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma.Our results suggest that lower expressions of genes encoding peptide processing factors including QPCT,HSPA4L,RNF6 and RNF128 in pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas may point to a malignant diagnosis. Key words: Pheochromocytoma; Differential diagnosis; Gene expression profiling; Gene expression