Neoplastic transformation of a human prostate epithelial cell line by the v-Ki-ras oncogene.
Investigations of mechanisms of human prostate carcinogenesis are limited by the unavailability of a suitable in vitro model system. We have demonstrated that an immortal, but nontumorigenic, human epithelial cell line (267B1) established from fetal prostate tissue can be malignantly transformed by a biological carcinogen, and can serve as a useful model for investigations of the progression steps of carcinogenesis. Activated Ki-ras was introduced into 267B1 cells by infection with the Kirsten murine sarcoma virus. Morphological alterations and anchorage-independent growth were observed; when cells were injected into nude mice, poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas developed. These findings represent the first evidence of malignant transformation of human prostate epithelial cells in culture, and support a role for Ki-ras activation in a multistep process for prostate neoplastic transformation.
Department of Radiation Medicine, Vincent T. Lombardi Cancer Research Center, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, D.C. 20007.
D S
DS
Parda
P J
PJ
Thraves
M R
MR
Kuettel
M S
MS
Lee
P
P
Arnstein
M E
ME
Kaighn
J S
JS
Rhim
A
A
Dritschilo
D002460:Cell Line; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics*; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D011905:Genes, ras / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015689:Oncogene Protein p21(ras) / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011467:Prostate / Q000166:cytology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*
D015689:Oncogene Protein p21(ras)