Differential regulation of MAPK (JNK 3) gene expression in human head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.
BACKGROUND
The JNK 3 gene encodes a protein which belongs to the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, a group of molecules involved in signaling pathways.


METHODS
Messenger RNA extracted from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells and normal upper aerodigestive tract mucosa keratinocytes was reversely transcribed. The resulting cDNA populations were subjected to an arbitrarily primed mRNA fingerprint. After electrophoresis, the band pattern was detected by autoradiography.


RESULTS
A 107 bp mRNA fragment was detected in HNSCC cells showing considerable repression in comparison with the benign phenotype. After cloning of this fragment, a database search revealed an exact homology with sequences belonging to the c-jun N-terminal MAP-10 kinase (JNK 3). Northern hybridization confirmed the distinctly reduced expression of this gene in HNSCC biopsies in contrast to adjacent normal mucosa.


CONCLUSIONS
The results show evidence that the expression of the JNK 3 gene is strongly repressed, suggesting that JNK 3 is implicated in carcinogenic processes in head and neck cancer.
Görögh
T
T
Klinik für HNO-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Halschirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Germany.
Berwig
J
J
Scola
N
N
Lippert
B M
BM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D048057:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 10 / Q000235:genetics*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010039:Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D017385:Sequence Homology
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D048057:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 10