Roles of Gamma-Catenin in the Carcinogenesis of Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Rat Tongue

[Objective]The role of gamma-catenin in the carcinogenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC) has not yet been elucidated.We investigated its expressions in OSCC,probing its role during the course of OSCC carcinogenesis.[Methods]Surgical specimens from 48 OSCC rats were examined for gamma-catenin expression by the method of immunohistochemical staining.[Results]During the carcinogensis of rat tongue almost all the cases showed membrane expressions of gamma-catenin.Gamma-catenin showed no significant difference with the grades of OSCC carcinogenesis in rats.[Conclusions]The results suggested that gamma-catenin play an important role during the course of OSCC carcinogenesis.