Abstract

STK1 activity in dogs with haematological tumours was significantly higher than in the solid tumour and healthy dog groups (mean +/- standard deviation [SD] = 65 +/- 79, 1.1 +/- 0.5, and 1.0 +/- 0.4 pmol/min/mL, respectively). Serum samples were analyzed after immunoaffinity isolation by western blot and the TK1 26 kDa band intensities quantified revealing that concentrations were significantly higher in dogs with haematological tumours and solid tumours compared to healthy dogs (mean +/- SD = 33 +/- 12, 30 +/- 13, and 10 +/- 5 ng/mL, respectively). Pre-incubation with the reducing agent dithioerythritol (DTE) showed a decrease in STK1 activity and protein levels in most samples, but an increase of about 20% in sera from healthy dogs and from those with haematological malignancies. Compared to animals with solid tumours, the specific STK1 activity (nmol [H-3]-deoxythymidine monophosphate (dTMP)/min/mg of TK1 protein of 26 kDa) was 30-fold higher in haematological malignancies and 2.5-fold higher in healthy dogs, respectively. The results demonstrate that there is a large fraction of inactive TK1 protein, particularly in sera from dogs with solid tumours. The findings are important in the use of STK1 as a biomarker. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Dog; Thymidine kinase 1; Immunoaffinity; Oncology; Biomarker

Published in

Veterinary Journal
2013, volume: 197, number: 3, pages: 854-860
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCI LTD

Authors' information