[Expression of ADAM12 (Meltrin-alpha) gene in giant cell tumor of bone].
OBJECTIVE
To detect expression and location of ADAM12 (meltrin-alpha) gene in giant cell tumor of bone and to study its effect on the formation of multinucleated giant cells in the tumor.


METHODS
ADAM12 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR and RNA in situ hybridization in 18 cases of giant cell tumors, 6 cases of cultured tumor cells, 2 specimens of embryonic muscle tissue and 5 specimens of adult muscle tissue.


RESULTS
RT-PCR showed that 12/18 (67%) cases of giant cell tumor of bone expressed ADAM12 mRNA. RNA in situ hybridization demonstrated positive ADAM12 mRNA in 12 cases of the detected tumors. The ADAM 12 mRNA positive signal was localized in the cytoplasm of almost all multinucleated giant cells and mononuclear stromal cells. However, the expression of ADAM12 mRNA decreased gradually, and eventually lost with increased passages of tumor cells and the disappearance of multinucleated giant cells in the culture.


CONCLUSIONS
Multinucleated giant cells probably originated from the fusion of mononuclear stromal cells and ADAM12 may participate in the fusion process.
Tian
B
B
Department of Pathology, Sun Yat Sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China.
Wen
J
J
Zhang
M
M
Li
Q
Q
Xie
D
D
D051722:ADAM Proteins; D000072199:ADAM12 Protein; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D015870:Gene Expression; D018212:Giant Cell Tumor of Bone / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051722:ADAM Proteins; D000072199:ADAM12 Protein; C000606480:ADAM12 protein, human; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases