title: Expression of c-fos proto-oncogene mRNA in non-melanoma skin cancer.
abstract: c-fos is a member of the proto-oncogene family and is implicated in the modulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. Previous studies have shown that the c-fos gene expression is regulated in a tissue specific manner. In order to clarify the role of the c-fos gene in human epidermis, we have investigated c-fos mRNA expression in both normal skin and non-melanoma skin cancer. In normal skin the intensity of the c-fos mRNA expression in spinous cells was found to be stronger than that observed in basal cells. In lesions of solar keratosis and Bowen's disease the spinous cells also showed stronger c-fos mRNA expression than in basal cells. In two of four cases of Bowen's disease some upper spinous cells showed very strong mRNA expression of the c-fos gene. In squamous cell carcinomas studied there was considerable variation in the intensity of c-fos mRNA expression. Our findings indicate that the degree of c-fos mRNA expression is related to the degree of dysplasia present. In all cases of basal cell carcinoma examined the c-fos mRNA expression was markedly decreased. These results suggest that c-fos expression may be involved in the differentiation of human keratinocytes in vivo rather than in the neoplastic process itself.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Pearse
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marks
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001769:Blood; D001913:Bowen's Disease / Q000378:metabolism; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007642:Keratosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008875:Middle Aged; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D012016:Reference Values; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: C000715470:MAS1 protein, human; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos; D012333:RNA, Messenger