Cytoskeleton fragments unveiling bladder cancer.

摘要

Cytokeratins are intermediate filaments and form the cytoskeleton of the cell. So far 20 different cytokeratins have been identified. Cytokeratin 20 was shown to be associated with urothelial malignancies and cytokeratin 20 staining improved both sensitivity and specificity of urine cytology . Urine cytokeratin 20 mRNA could predict tumour recurrence . Both cytokeratin 20 and cytokeratin 19 were expressed in patients with bladder cancer. Cytokeratin 20 was initially thought to be expressed only in malignant urothelium, whereas cytokeratin 19 was expressed in both benign and malignant urothelium. Cytokeratins were found to be dependent on phosphorylation in their function. Phos-phorylation of cytokeratins may lead to breakdown of filaments, a process essential for the efficient segregation of intermediate filament networks into daughter cells. Considering the role of intermediate filament {cytokeratin) phosphorylation in cell division and its relation with cytokeratin breakdown and solubility it would be of interest to study the relation between cell proliferation in the tumour and cytokeratin (breakdown products) urinary levels.