Fetal isoform of human retinoic acid receptor beta expressed in small cell lung cancer lines.
The retinoic acid receptor type beta (RAR beta) complementary DNA from a small cell tumor line was amplified, sequenced, and found to be homologous to the murine RAR beta 1. Seventeen lung tumor lines were analyzed. Five of seven small cell lung carcinoma lines expressed RAR beta 1, but only one other line (epidermoid) expressed the isoform, and this was at trace levels. Two other epidermoid lines, as well as three adenocarcinoma, two adenosquamous, and two large cell-derived lines did not express RAR beta 1. Nine adult human tissues, including lung, were analyzed, and in contrast to what has been reported for the mouse, undetectable or barely detectable levels were observed. On the other hand, a total of 13 different fetal tissues, at three different developmental stages, all expressed RAR beta 1. RAR beta 1 may be a master developmental gene in humans, and the remarkably specific association with small cell lung carcinoma suggests a molecular link between this type of cancer and development.
Houle
B
B
Institut du cancer de Montréal, Hôpital Notre-Dame, Canada.
Pelletier
M
M
Wu
J
J
Goodyer
C
C
Bradley
W E
WE
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007536:Isomerism; D008168:Lung / Q000737:chemistry; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid; C082925:retinoic acid receptor beta