Abstract: BACKGROUND AND AIM: To investigate the relationships of Survivin, PTEN and Connexin43(Cx43)with development of skin basal cell carcinoma(BCC).MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expressions of Survivin, PTEN and Cx43 proteins were measured by immunohistochemical S-P method in 35 patients with BCC and 10 specimens of normal skin. The expressions of Cx43 mRNA was evaluated by in situ hybridization.All data in normal epidermis and BCC tissues were analyzed by computerized image-analysis. RESULTS: Cx43 protein and its mRNA showed strongly positive expression in normal epidermis，and positive or weakly positive expression in BCC group. Compared with normal skin group and SCC group，the expression(positive area,optical density)of Cx43 protein and its mRNA in BCC group were statistically significant(P<0.01). Survivin protein was mostly negative in normal epidermis, and mostly weakly positive in BCC group.The expression of Survivin protein was statistically different between BCC and normal skin(P<0.05). PTEN protein showed strongly positive expression in normal epidermis,and positive or weakly positive expression in BCC group. Compared with normal skin group，the expression of PTEN protein in BCC group was statistically significant(P<0.05). There was positive correlation between the expressions of PTEN and Cx43 protein(r=0.519，P<0.01)， and between the expressions of Cx43 protein and its mRNA(r=0.732，P<0.01) in BCC tissues. CONCLUSION: The lower expression of Cx43, PTEN proteins and Cx43 mRNA and the higher expression of Survivin protein in BCC may play important roles in its development.

Key words: skin, basal cell carcinoma, Survivin, PTEN, Cx43