ISSN:
1573-4935
Keywords:
autocrine growth
;
cancer
;
EGF receptor
;
growth factor
;
c. myc gene
;
oesphageal cancer
;
receptor
;
TGF receptor
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
Abstract We have previously shown that four human oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cell lines secrete significant quantities of transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-α)in vitro. Three of these lines are known to produce supernumary low-affinity epidermal growth factor receptors (EGF-Rs). Using an125I-EGF compeitive binding assay and Scatchard analysis, we show that the fourth also overproduces low-affinity receptors. According to slot blot DNA analyses, the secretion of high levels of TGF-α is not associated with amplification of the TGF-α gene, and hyperproduction of the EGF-R is correlated with receptor gene amplification. Western blot analyses show that the c-Myc protein is overexpressed in two of the cell lines; and Southern and Northern blot analyses indicate that this overexpression occurs independently of c-myc gene amplification. Our results are consistent with an autocrine role for TGF-α and EGF-R in oesophageal carcinogenesis and support the possibility that c-myc overexpression may be required for thein vivo tumourigenicity of cells that produce high levels of TGF-α and the EGF-R.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01137967
