Epithelial membrane protein 2, a 4-transmembrane protein that suppresses B-cell lymphoma tumorigenicity

A murine homologue of the epithelial membrane protein 2 (EMP2) gene was identified in a search for genes associated with B-cell lymphoma tumorigenicity by using suppression subtractive hybridization. Expression of EMP2 messenger RNA in primary mouse tissues was limited to certain epithelial cell types and the peritoneal lymphoid compartment. EMP2 was expressed in the poorly tumorigenic DAC B-lymphoma cell line but was significantly down-regulated in a subline selected for in vivo tumor formation in Balb/c mice. Recombinant restoration of EMP2 expression in the subline suppressed its tumorigenicity, suggesting that loss of EMP2 was a causal factor in the malignant phenotype. Recombinant overexpression of EMP2 was studied in B lymphoma and NIH3T3 cells. EMP2 in both cell types induced cell death on serum deprivation. EMP2-induced cell death correlated with the expression level of EMP2 protein and was prevented by caspase inhibitors Z-VAD and Z-DEVD. These findings for the first time describe an apoptotic effect of a GAS3 family gene in lymphocytes. They also suggest that EMP2 may influence B-lymphoma tumorigenicity through a functional tumor suppressor phenotype. (Blood. 2001;97:3890-3895)