Expression of the c-erbB-2 gene product (p185) at different stages of neoplastic progression in the colon.
Publication/Presentation Date
10-1-1989
Abstract
The c-erbB-2 gene has been found amplified in a number of human adenocarcinomas leading to elevated levels of expression of the p185 protein product. Increased expression of this putative growth factor receptor has been reported to occur by molecular mechanism other than gene amplification and for this reason we have studied the expression of the p185 protein in normal colon and in lesions representing different stages of neoplastic progression. We report amplification of the c-erbB-2 gene in 3 of 44 colon carcinomas and 1 of 5 preneoplastic polyps studied. Confirmation of expression of the p185 protein product was established in Western blot analysis and by immunocytochemical staining of tissue sections. An extended study, involving adenomatous polyps and carcinomatous material in immunostaining, revealed detectable presence of the p185 protein in 20% of carcinomas, consistent with immunoprecipitation data derived using established cell lines. In contrast, a high percentage of polyps showed strong staining with both p185 antibodies used, indicating elevated levels of expression of the c-erbB-2 protein associated with preneoplastic lesions. Staining of normal human colon revealed a restricted localization of this putative receptor to cells on the luminal colonic surface, with no expression in cells of the crypt. Histologically normal mucosa, adjacent to the tumor, showed a more extensive distribution involving the crypt suggestive of a disturbance in the normal expression of c-erbB-2. These results indicate that elevated expression of the c-erbB-2 protein is associated with early stages of colonic neoplasia but do not establish it as a primary factor in these events. The occurrence of multiple copies of the c-erbB-2 in a percentage of colon lesions, however, suggests a possible role for this gene in some colon malignancies.
Volume
4
Issue
10
First Page
1233
Last Page
1239
ISSN
0950-9232
Published In/Presented At
D'Emilia, J., Bulovas, K., D'Ercole, K., Wolf, B., Steele, G., Jr, & Summerhayes, I. C. (1989). Expression of the c-erbB-2 gene product (p185) at different stages of neoplastic progression in the colon. Oncogene, 4(10), 1233–1239.
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
2571966
Department(s)
Department of Surgery
Document Type
Article