Expression and methylation status of the Syk gene in cervical carcinoma.

Spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk), a non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase, has recently been recognized as a new candidate tumor suppressor. Decrease or loss of Syk expression has been associated with a malignant phenotype and poor prognosis in a variety of cancers. This study aimed to determine the precise role of Syk in cervical cancer. Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) and RT-PCR were utilized to analyze the methylation status and Syk mRNA expression in tissue samples from 20 normal controls, 50 CIN patients and 60 cervical cancer patients. Syk expression was detected in all 20 normal cervical tissues, as well as in all 18 CIN1 samples. Syk expression was found in 18 of 32 (56%) of CIN2/3 samples. The results indicate a potential link between the loss of Syk expression and cervical carcinogenesis.