title: Detection of ras gene alterations and ras proteins in colorectal cancer.
abstract: DNA extracted from 31 primary colorectal carcinomas was analyzed for the presence of ras gene amplification and mutations. Nine carcinomas had Ha-ras amplification and seven Ki-ras amplification. Nine carcinomas had codon 12 Ki-ras mutations. Immunohistochemical staining for ras proteins revealed a normal membrane association in normal mucosa and benign polyps but an abnormal cytoplasmic distribution in carcinomas. Amplification, mutations, and immunohistochemical staining were independent of histologic differentiation, Dukes' stage, or DNA ploidy status. This study demonstrates that abnormalities of ras genes are a common finding in colorectal carcinomas. They are potentially important biologic changes associated with malignancy, although they do not appear to be related to clinical behavior.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Christie Hospital and Holt Radium Institute, Manchester, England.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Salhab
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Bos
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kinsella
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Schofield
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000032:analysis*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000032:analysis*; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005784:Gene Amplification; D011905:Genes, ras; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D011003:Ploidies; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D016283:Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras); D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; C501009:HRAS protein, human; D016283:Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)