Detection of a novel truncated WT1 transcript in human neoplasia.
BACKGROUND
The Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1) gene encodes a transcription factor critical in urogenital development. Using a new model of prostate cancer progression that permits comparison of the cellular and molecular properties of increasingly aggressive sublines of simian virus 40 large T-antigen-immortalized human prostate epithelial cells within the same lineage, the role of WT1 in tumorigenesis was investigated.


RESULTS
Using RT-PCR and northern blotting, we identified a novel truncated WT1 transcript in these prostate cancer cell lines. This 2.1-kb transcript consisted of the coding region of the zinc-finger domain of WT1, together with a portion of intron 5 at the 5' end of the transcript. Furthermore, two peptides were detected by western blotting using antibodies to epitopes of the COOH terminus of WT1. Using RT-PCR, the 2.1-kb transcript was also detected in leukemia cell line K562, breast cancer cell line MCF7, and blood samples from patients with acute leukemia.


CONCLUSIONS
These novel findings in both cell lines and patient-derived specimens suggest this new WT1 gene alteration has a potential role in the development of new diagnostic assays for some human malignancies.
Dechsukhum
C
C
Department of Pathology, Medical College of Virginia Campus of Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0662, USA.
Ware
J L
JL
Ferreira-Gonzalez
A
A
Wilkinson
D S
DS
Garrett
C T
CT
D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015153:Blotting, Western; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016162:Genes, Wilms Tumor / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D025721:WT1 Proteins; D009396:Wilms Tumor / Q000235:genetics*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D014157:Transcription Factors; D025721:WT1 Proteins