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Autotaxin expression in non-small-cell lung cancer
1Ontario Cancer Institute and Toronto Hospital-Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Summary
Autotaxin (ATX) mRNA is frequently expressed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Overexpression of ATX mRNA was observed in poorly differentiated NSCLC, suggesting roles beyond cell motility.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Autotaxin (ATX), also known as brain-type phosphodiesterase I (PD-Ialpha), is implicated in tumor progression.
- Its expression patterns in human cancers remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of ATX mRNA in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
- To correlate ATX mRNA expression with tumor differentiation and cell motility.
Main Methods:
- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)
- Northern blot analysis
- In situ hybridization
- Analysis of NSCLC cell lines and primary tissues
Main Results:
- ATX mRNA was commonly detected in both normal and NSCLC tissues and cell lines.
- Overexpression of ATX mRNA was found in 58% of NSCLC cell lines.
- ATX mRNA overexpression correlated with poorly differentiated carcinomas.
- No correlation was found between ATX mRNA levels and cell motility.
Conclusions:
- ATX mRNA is widely expressed in NSCLC.
- Overexpressed ATX mRNA in poorly differentiated NSCLC suggests potential roles beyond its known motility-stimulating function.