Expression of c-erbB2, TGF-beta 1 and pS2 genes in primary human breast cancers.
The presence of c-erbB2, TGF-beta 1 and pS2 mRNAs was examined in primary breast tumours. The c-erbB2 mRNA was overexpressed in 34% of the tumours. There was a positive, statistically significant correlation between c-erbB2 gene overexpression and nodal status. TGF-beta 1 mRNA was detected in 84% of the tumours, regardless of their clinical status. When possible, the c-erbB2 and TGF-beta 1 proteins were identified immunohistochemically on frozen sections from the same tumours. For TGF-beta 1, the mRNA and immunohistochemical results were divergent in 6 cases, 5 of which did contain clearly detectable mRNA but did not stain with the antibody. The pS2 mRNA was detected in 22% of the tumours and in the BT474 cell line. There was a significant correlation between the presence of pS2 mRNA and of oestrogen receptors. No statistically significant correlation was observed between pS2 and TGF-beta 1 genes expression and the clinical parameters of the tumours.
Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, University of Liège-Sart Tilman, Belgium.
C G
CG
Delvenne
R A
RA
Winkler-Gol
M J
MJ
Piccart
J
J
Hustin
D
D
Michaux
G
G
Leclercq
J M
JM
Nogaret
P
P
Autier
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005784:Gene Amplification / Q000235:genetics; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D011506:Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D011519:Proto-Oncogenes / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics*; D000071163:Trefoil Factor-1; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins
D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D000071163:Trefoil Factor-1; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; C051838:TFF1 protein, human