Expression patterns of astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1) during development of the mouse embryo.
Expression of astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1) is elevated in multiple human cancers including brain tumors, neuroblastomas, melanomas, breast cancers, non-small cell lung cancers, liver cancers, prostate cancers, and esophageal cancers. This gene plays crucial roles in tumor cell growth, invasion, angiogenesis and progression to metastasis. In addition, over-expression of AEG-1 protects primary and transformed cells from apoptosis-inducing signals by activating PI3K-Akt signaling pathways. These results suggest that AEG-1 is intimately involved in tumorigenesis and may serve as a potential therapeutic target for various human cancers. However, the normal physiological functions of AEG-1 require clarification. We presently analyzed the expression pattern of AEG-1 during mouse development. AEG-1 was expressed in mid-to-hindbrain, fronto-nasal processes, limbs, and pharyngeal arches in the early developmental period from E8.5 to E9.5. In addition, at stages of E12.5-E18.5 AEG-1 was localized in the brain, and olfactory and skeletal systems suggesting a role in neurogenesis, as well as in skin, including hair follicles, and in the liver, which are organ sites in which AEG-1 has been implicated in tumor development and progression. AEG-1 co-localized with Ki-67, indicating a role in cell proliferation, as previously revealed in tumorigenesis. Taken together, these results suggest that AEG-1 may play a prominent role during normal mouse development in the context of cell proliferation as well as differentiation, and that temporal regulation of AEG-1 expression may be required during specific stages and in specific tissues during development.
Jeon
Hyun Yong
HY
Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA.
Choi
Murim
M
Howlett
Eric L
EL
Vozhilla
Nikollaq
N
Yoo
Byoung Kwon
BK
Lloyd
Joyce A
JA
Sarkar
Devanand
D
Lee
Seok-Geun
SG
Fisher
Paul B
PB
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D047108:Embryonic Development; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D008099:Liver / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D015398:Signal Transduction; D012867:Skin / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism
D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C483038:Mtdh protein, mouse; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins