Expression of Rac3 in human brain tumors.
Rac3 may play an important role in tumor growth but little is known about its expression and mutation in human tumor tissues. We examined the expression of Rac3 using RT-PCR and mutation of the Rac3 gene by DNA sequencing. Overexpression of the Rac3 gene occurred in 19% (5/26) of brain tumors; 3 of 9 (33%) meningiomas, 1 of 11 (9%) astrocytomas and 1 of 6 (17%) pituitary adenomas. Two of the 3 meningiomas with Rac3 overexpression were recurrent meningiomas. The only astrocytoma with Rac3 overexpression was a glioblastoma multiforme. Mutation of the Rac3 gene occurred in 63% (12/19) of brain tumours; 4 of 7 (57.1%) meningiomas, 4 of 5 (80%) pituitary adenomas and 4 of 7 (57.1%) astrocytomas. Except in one astrocytoma, the other four tumors with Rac3 overexpression (3 meningiomas and one pituitary adenoma) did not have Rac3 mutations. Our data is the first report of the frequency of Rac3 overexpression and mutation in human brain tumors. Overexpression may be associated with aggressive tumor behavior. The relationship between Rac3 expression and mutation requires further investigation.
Division of Neurosurgery, Kaohsiung Medical Universiy, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Shiuh-Lin
SL
Hwang
Jing-Hon
JH
Chang
Tai-Shan
TS
Cheng
Wei-Di
WD
Sy
Ann-Shung
AS
Lieu
Chih-Lung
CL
Lin
Kung-Shing
KS
Lee
Shen-Long
SL
Howng
Yi-Ren
YR
Hong
D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics*; D002886:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17 / Q000235:genetics; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D020558:GTP Phosphohydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics*; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans; D008579:Meningioma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000235:genetics; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics; D020744:rac GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C411563:RAC3 protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D020558:GTP Phosphohydrolases; D020744:rac GTP-Binding Proteins