[Expression and loss of heterozygosity of DCC gene in human lung cancer].
The level of DCC mRNA expression was evaluated in tissue specimens from lung cancer patients by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) combined with Southern blot analysis. Obvious reduction of DCC gene expression was observed in 4 of 7 specimens (55%). In two specimens DCC transcript could only be detected after Southern blot hybridization of RT-PCR product. The average level of DCC expression in cancer tissue was about 45% of normal tissue as estimated by laser densitometer. We also studied DNA samples for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at DCC locus at two polymorphic sites. Among the 15 specimens including 7 samples for RT-PCR, 9 (60%) were informative at either of two polymorphic sites. LOH was observed in 5 (55%). Two at the MspI-RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) site and 3 at the site of VNTR (variable number of tandem repeat). These results suggest that allele loss and decreased expression of DCC gene are frequent events and the possible involvement of DCC gene in the pathogenesis of human lung cancer.
Zhang
J
J
National Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing.
Ding
F
F
Wang
X
X
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics; D000483:Alleles; D001483:Base Sequence; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D017353:Gene Deletion; D015870:Gene Expression; D016163:Genes, DCC; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism
D012333:RNA, Messenger