Molecular organization of oncogenes and potentially oncogenic regulatory genes in primary human brain tumors.
We review here results obtained from a wide screening of 72 primary human brain tumors, in order to investigate the molecular organization of proto-oncogenes and potentially oncogenic genes. We demonstrated alterations in the restriction pattern of c-sis oncogene in 1 anaplastic astrocytoma and in 1 endotheliomatous meningioma, and amplifications of c-myc oncogene in 2 endotheliomatous meningiomas. In the same screening of primary brain tumors, we have recently published evidences for a specific alteration in the restriction pattern of estrogen receptor gene sequences which code for the DNA binding domain of the protein. These results, although preliminary and not still sufficient for a conclusive determination of the role in brain tumor growth and/or development, provided evidences of relatively frequent molecular alterations of genes involved in the control of cell proliferation and differentiation.
Fazio
V M
VM
Dipartimento Medicina Sperimentale, Università di Roma La Sapienza, Italy.
Oppido
P A
PA
Delfini
R
R
Frati
L
L
Martinotti
S
S
D015139:Blotting, Southern; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D015342:DNA Probes; D016259:Genes, myc / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D009380:Neoplasms, Nerve Tissue / Q000235:genetics*; D009857:Oncogenes / Q000235:genetics; D011519:Proto-Oncogenes / Q000235:genetics*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000235:genetics
D015342:DNA Probes; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen