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Relevant genomics of neurotensin receptor in cancer
1Center for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton 33431, USA.
Abstract:
The expressed sequence tag (EST) databases are an attractive starting point for gene discovery for diseases like cancer. Validation of gene targets from these sequences (both known and novel) in cancers requires a comprehensive expression profiling. We identified from the Cancer Gene Anatomy Project database (CGAP), a hit called neurotensin receptor (NT-r) that was expressed in the pancreatic cancer cDNA libraries. Neurotensin (NT), a neuroendocrine peptide, exerts trophic effects in vivo and stimulates the growth of cancer-derived cell lines in vitro. High affinity neurotensin receptors (NT-r) are expressed in cancer-derived cell lines and in some primary tumors. To date, a comprehensive expression profile of the NT-r in diverse cancers and normal tissues has not been reported. A cancer-selective expression of NT-r, if demonstrable, may provide a basis for a diagnostic and potential therapeutic utility. We demonstrate that the NT-r is expressed in a variety of cancer-derived cell lines as well as primary tumors, but only in a select few normal tissues. The expression of NT, on the other hand, was detected in many normal tissues, but not in the cancer-derived cell lines. The NT expression however, was detected in the primary tumors. We further demonstrate that NT expression is stimulated by androgen deprivation in the prostate cancer models. These results demonstrate the usefulness of a panel of cDNA repository for rapid validation of potential cancer targets.
Insights
Neurotensin receptor (NT-r) is expressed in various cancers, but not widely in normal tissues. This finding highlights NT-r as a potential target for cancer diagnostics and therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Expressed sequence tag (EST) databases aid gene discovery for diseases like cancer.
- Neurotensin (NT) and its receptor (NT-r) play roles in cell growth and are found in cancer cells.
- A comprehensive expression profile of NT-r across diverse cancers and normal tissues is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression profile of neurotensin receptor (NT-r) in various cancer types and normal tissues.
- To assess the potential diagnostic and therapeutic utility of NT-r in cancer.
- To compare the expression of NT-r and its ligand, neurotensin (NT), in cancerous and normal tissues.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Cancer Gene Anatomy Project (CGAP) database to identify potential cancer targets.
- Performed comprehensive expression profiling of NT-r in cancer-derived cell lines and primary tumors.
- Analyzed NT expression in cancer cell lines, primary tumors, and normal tissues.
- Investigated NT expression changes in prostate cancer models under androgen deprivation.
Main Results:
- Neurotensin receptor (NT-r) was found to be expressed in a variety of cancer-derived cell lines and primary tumors.
- NT-r expression was limited to a select few normal tissues.
- Neurotensin (NT) was detected in many normal tissues but not in cancer-derived cell lines; however, it was present in primary tumors.
- NT expression was observed to be stimulated by androgen deprivation in prostate cancer models.
Conclusions:
- NT-r exhibits cancer-selective expression, suggesting its potential as a diagnostic marker and therapeutic target.
- The differential expression of NT and NT-r in cancer versus normal tissues warrants further investigation.
- cDNA repositories are valuable tools for the rapid validation of potential cancer targets identified from gene expression data.