title: Molecular characterization of a novel BR-2 gene that is down-regulated in human low grade glioma tumors.
abstract: Using the technique of differential hybridization of a human fetal brain library, we have identified a novel gene, brain 2 (BR-2). This gene is expressed in normal brain but has low or no expression in human oligodendrogliomas and other brain tumor samples. We have cloned and sequenced the full-length cDNA corresponding to this gene. A data base search for the nucleotide sequence homology was performed for BR-2. BR-2 sequence showed strong homolog to a human genomic clone from chromosome 2. Moderate sequence homology was observed between BR-2 and an EST from a human placenta library. Multiple tissue dot blot analysis indicated that the BR-2 gene is expressed in a number of tissues including brain, heart, lung, placenta, lymph node, trachea and kidney. The BR-2 gene is also expressed in fetal heart, spleen and lung tissue. An extremely high level of BR-2 expression is observed in the left atrium of the heart. Low or no expression of BR-2 expression is observed in sixteen human cancer cell lines. RT-PCR analysis indicated that the BR-2 gene is expressed at high levels in two of the five normal brain tissue samples analyzed. Except for low expression in one oligodendroglioma, no expression of BR-1 gene was observed in eight anaplastic astrocytomas and glioblastoma multiforme tissue samples. Four of nine glioblastoma tumor cell lines did show a low level of BR-2 expression. On the basis of its expression and sequence, we conclude that BR-2 is a novel gene with unique expression properties in human brain tumors.
authors.affiliation: Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, 1st Division of Neurosurgery, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Kuo Chen
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Mitchel S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.forename: Anil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sehgal
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015536:Down-Regulation; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D005910:Glioma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D050809:POU Domain Factors; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
chemical_list: D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D050809:POU Domain Factors; C085076:transcription factor Brn-2