title: Expression of neural cell adhesion molecule in normal and neoplastic human neuroendocrine tissues.
abstract: The neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) is a group of cell surface glycoproteins involved in direct cell--cell adhesion. N-CAM expression in normal and neoplastic tissues was examined with specific antibodies and oligonucleotide probes by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Most neuroendocrine cells and tumors with secretory granules expressed N-CAM protein and mRNA. Parathyroid adenomas (4) were somewhat unusual, because N-CAM mRNA, but not protein, was detected in some of these benign neoplasms. Most non-neuroendocrine cells and tumors did not express N-CAM, although uterine smooth muscle and an adrenal cortical carcinoma were both positive. Western blots disclosed proteins of 180, 140, and 120 kd in normal adult brain, whereas two pheochromocytomas, a null cell adenoma, and a gastrinoma had proteins of approximately 180 and 140 kd. These results indicate that N-CAM protein and mRNA are widely expressed in neuroendocrine cells and neoplasms. N-CAM oligonucleotide probes as well as antibodies against N-CAM can be used as broad-spectrum neuroendocrine markers. In addition, these molecular probes can be used to examine the role of N-CAM in the development and regulation of neuroendocrine tissues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Hemperly
authors.forename: R V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Lloyd
mesh_terms: D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / Q000378:metabolism*; D004702:Endocrine Glands / Q000378:metabolism*; D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009420:Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism*; D009423:Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D012016:Reference Values
chemical_list: D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal