The positive correlation between DJ-1 and β-catenin expression shows prognostic value for patients with glioma.

The relationship between DJ-1 and -catenin, and its impact on the prognosis for glioma patients has not been fully understood. This study determined the effect of DJ-1 on -catenin and the prognostic significance of this interaction in glioma patients. We collected tumor specimens from 88 glioma patients and determined the expression of DJ-1, -catenin and PTEN by using immunohistochemical staining. The involvement of DJ-1 and -catenin in glioma cell lines was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. High DJ-1 expression (37.5%) and high -catenin expression (34.1%) in glioma specimens were significantly associated with high grade and poor prognosis in glioma patients. However, only high levels of DJ-1 (P=0.014) was a strong independent prognostic factor, correlated with a reduced overall survival time. In vitroDJ-1 expression was positively correlated with the expression levels of -catenin and p-Akt, and negatively correlated with PTEN expression in U87, U251 MG, SWO-38 and SHG44 human glioma cell lines. After the knockdown of DJ-1, Akt, p-Akt or -catenin expression levels were not affected in the PTEN-null cell lines (U87 and U251 MG). However, in the SWO-38 cell line, which has wild-type PTEN protein, the level of PTEN increased while Akt/p-Akt and -catenin levels were reduced. Furthermore, -catenin staining weakened in SWO-38 cells after DJ-1 levels decreased according to immunocytochemical analysis. In conclusion, DJ-1 and -catenin may contribute to the development and recurrence of glioma and are valuable prognostic factors for glioma patients. DJ-1 may regulate -catenin expression via PTEN and p-Akt.