Genetic and epigenetic analysis of the EPHB2 gene in gastric cancers.
EPHB2 is a member of the Eph receptor tyrosine kinase family and a direct transcriptional target of beta-catenin/TCF. EPHB2 plays an important role in maintaining the correct positioning of the proliferative compartment in the crypt-villous axis. A loss of EPHB2 expression has been observed in human tumors, particularly in colonic adenomas and carcinomas. A search was made for mutations at the A9 tract in exon 17, an allelic loss at the EPHB2 gene locus, and promoter hypermethylation of the EPHB2 gene in 81 sporadic gastric cancers in order to determine if genetic or epigenetic alterations of the EPHB2 gene are involved in the development and/or progression of gastric cancer. Unexpectedly, no frameshift mutation was found and there was a low frequency (20.8%) of allelic loss. In addition, promoter hypermethylation was detected in only one gastric cancer tissue sample. Therefore, genetic or epigenetic alterations of the EPHB2 gene might be an uncommon event in the development or progression of gastric cancers.
Song
Jae Hwi
JH
Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Kim
Chang Jae
CJ
Cho
Yong Gu
YG
Kwak
Hyun Jung
HJ
Nam
Suk Woo
SW
Yoo
Nam Jin
NJ
Lee
Jung Young
JY
Park
Won Sang
WS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018450:Disease Progression; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D036183:Receptor, EphB2 / Q000235:genetics*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*
D036183:Receptor, EphB2