Differential expression of the retinoblastoma gene family members pRb/p105, p107, and pRb2/p130 in lung cancer.
The Rb (retinoblastoma) gene family is composed of three members: the RB gene (one of the best-studied tumor suppressor genes) and two related genes, p107 and pRb2/p130. These three proteins share many structural and functional features and play a fundamental role in growth control. Using immunocytochemical techniques, we evaluated a variety of lung tumor specimens for the expression of this family of proteins and compared protein expression with the histological grading of the tumors and with the expression of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen. These Rb family members displayed distinctive patterns when compared and contrasted using different parameters. The highest percentage of undetectable levels in all of the specimens examined and the tightest inverse correlation (P) with the histological grading and with proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression in the most aggressive tumor types were found for pRb2/p130, which may suggest an important role for this protein in the pathogenesis and progression of lung cancer.
Baldi
A
A
Departments of Microbiology/Immunology and Pathology, Kimmel Cancer Institute, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA.
Esposito
V
V
De Luca
A
A
Howard
C M
CM
Mazzarella
G
G
Baldi
F
F
Caputi
M
M
Giordano
A
A
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D011506:Proteins; D011817:Rabbits; D016160:Retinoblastoma Protein / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D050720:Retinoblastoma-Like Protein p107; D050717:Retinoblastoma-Like Protein p130
D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; D011506:Proteins; C493844:RBL1 protein, human; C493837:RBL2 protein, human; D016160:Retinoblastoma Protein; D050720:Retinoblastoma-Like Protein p107; D050717:Retinoblastoma-Like Protein p130