title: Expression of p21RAS in odontogenic tumors.
abstract: Using an immunohistochemical assay 10 benign odontogenic tumors were evaluated for expression of the HRAS- and KRAS-encoded gene products p21RAS. Overexpression of p21RAS was found in ameloblastomas, ameloblastic fibromas and odontogenic myxomas compared with normal human developing teeth. The highest expression was noted in a recurrent plexiform ameloblastoma in which almost 100% of the tumor cells were brightly reactive. In general, p21RAS was preferentially expressed in ectodermal cells of odontogenic tumors, consistent with the findings in the tooth germs. The significance of p21RAS expression is considered in relation to the biological behavior of ameloblastomas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, Gothenburg University, Sweden.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sandros
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Heikinheimo
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Happonen
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stenman
mesh_terms: D015870:Gene Expression; D011905:Genes, ras; D006801:Humans; D009808:Odontogenic Tumors / Q000378:metabolism*; D011379:Prognosis; D016283:Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D013194:Staining and Labeling
chemical_list: C501009:HRAS protein, human; D016283:Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)