Gp80 (clusterin; TRPM-2) mRNA level is enhanced in human renal clear cell carcinomas

The gp80 glycoprotein complex (clusterin, apolipoprotein J, TRPM-2) is a widely expressed protein that has been attributed functions in tissue remodelling, immune defense and transport of lipids and biologically active peptides. The expression of the protein appears to be elevated in several neurodegenerative, apoptotic and malignant processes. We show here that in patients with renal clear cell carcinoma gp80 mRNA is 3-fold overexpressed in tissue of the tumors compared with adjacent non-tumor tissue.