Abstract: Objective To investigate the expression of Beclin1 and Atg5 in ovarian tumor tissues, and explore their correlations to the tumorigenesis and development of epithelial ovarian carcinoma. Methods Normal ovarian tissues, benign ovarian tumor, and epithelial ovar ian carcinoma were collected from 30 patients respectively. Expressions of Beclin1 and Atg5 mRNA were detected by RT-PCR. The protein expressions of Beclin1 and Atg5 were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results The mRNA and protein levels of Beclin1 and Atg5,as well as their positive rates were significantly higher in normal tissues and benign tissues compared with epithelial ovarian carcinoma, P＜0.01.Conclusions Expressions of Beclin1 and Atg5 are down regulated in epithelial ovarian cancer tissues. The inhibition of autophagic capacity may be related to tumorigenesis and the development of epithelial ovarian cancer.

Key words: Beclin1, Atg5, Ovarian neoplasm, Immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR