The Na/H exchange regulatory factor 1 or Ezrin-radixin-moesin-binding phosphoprotein 50 (NHERF1/EBP50) is an adaptor protein implicated in the stabilization of molecular complexes linking extracellular signals with the cytoskeleton machinery. NHERF1 expression at the cell cortex is associated with the maintenance of adherent junction integrity in polarized epithelia. The role of NHERF1 in cancer depends on its localization within the cell, acting, in most cases, as a tumor suppressor when localized at the cell membrane, and as an oncogene, when expressed in the cytoplasm or the nucleus of cancer cells. The distribution of NHERF1 in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has not been yet investigated. In this study, NHERF1 expression was examined by immunohistochemistry in papillary and clear cell RCC. We observed membranous staining in papillary RCC, whereas NHERF1 expression was nuclear and membranous in clear cell RCC. In comparison, NHERF1 immunohistochemistry in clear cell carcinomas of the ovary showed mainly nuclear staining. Our finding of the specific NHERF1 nuclear expression in clear cell carcinomas may help to elucidate the molecular changes that regulate its nuclear accumulation and to better understand its role in this cell compartment.

Na/H 交换调节因子 1 或 Ezrin-radixin-moesin 结合磷蛋白 50 (NHERF1/EBP50) 是一种衔接蛋白，参与稳定将细胞外信号与细胞骨架机制连接起来的分子复合物。细胞皮层的 NHERF1 表达与极化上皮细胞中粘附连接完整性的维持有关。NHERF1 在癌症中的作用取决于其在细胞内的定位，在大多数情况下，当定位在细胞膜上时，充当肿瘤抑制因子，当在癌细胞的细胞质或细胞核中表达时，充当癌基因。尚未研究 NHERF1 在肾细胞癌 (RCC) 中的分布。在这项研究中，通过免疫组织化学检查了 NHERF1 在乳头状和透明细胞 RCC 中的表达。我们在乳头状肾细胞癌中观察到膜染色，而 NHERF1 表达在透明细胞 RCC 中是核和膜的。相比之下，卵巢透明细胞癌中的 NHERF1 免疫组织化学主要显示核染色。我们在透明细胞癌中发现特定的 NHERF1 核表达可能有助于阐明调节其核积累的分子变化，并更好地了解其在该细胞区室中的作用。