Amplification of the neu (c-erbB-2) oncogene in human mammmary tumors is relatively frequent and is often accompanied by amplification of the linked c-erbA oncogene.
We investigated alterations in the structure and expression of oncogenes in mammary tumors and mammary tumor-derived cell lines. In 16 of 95 samples, we detected amplification of the human neu oncogene, also known as c-erB-2, accompanied by overexpression in the tumors from which intact RNA could be isolated. In 10 of these DNAs, the linked oncogene c-erbA was also amplified, whereas another gene on human chromosome 17, p53, was present in normal copy numbers. Overexpression of c-erbA could not be detected in the tumors analyzed. The relatively high frequency of neu amplification points to a functional role in human breast cancer. Coamplification of the c-erbA oncogene could contribute to this disease as well but is most likely fortuitous.
van de Vijver
M
M
van de Bersselaar
R
R
Devilee
P
P
Cornelisse
C
C
Peterse
J
J
Nusse
R
R
D000367:Age Factors; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D002460:Cell Line; D002886:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17; D005784:Gene Amplification; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D009857:Oncogenes; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000235:genetics; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis; D013954:Thyroglobulin / Q000235:genetics; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D013954:Thyroglobulin