Loss of heterozygosity and decreased expression of NME genes correlate with teratomatous differentiation in human male germ cell tumors.
Embryonal carcinoma in the human male is a pluripotential germ cell tumor (GCT), which is suggested to further differentiate to teratoma which displays somatic differentiation representing all three germinal layers. In a panel of 37 GCTs we determined frequency of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and the level of expression of nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK) genes NME 1 and NME 2. The frequency of LOH in teratomas (86%) was found to be highly significant (P < 0.01) compared to embryonal carcinomas (17%). We also found that the NME encoded proteins are expressed at a 4-5 fold lower level in teratomas compared to embryonal carcinomas. These findings lead us to hypothesize that a critical level of NDPK may be necessary for suppression of aberrant somatic differentiation.
Baker
J M
JM
Molecular Biology Section, Lederle Laboratories, American Cyanamid Company, Pearl River, NY 10965.
Murty
V V
VV
Potla
L
L
Mendola
C E
CE
Rodriguez
E
E
Reuter
V E
VE
Bosl
G G
GG
Chaganti
R S
RS
D015870:Gene Expression; D018237:Germinoma / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000235:genetics; D009701:Nucleoside-Diphosphate Kinase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D013724:Teratoma / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*
D009701:Nucleoside-Diphosphate Kinase