[67kDa-laminin receptor in human lung cancer]

Complimentary DNA for the 67kDa-laminin receptor was cloned from the cDNA library derived from a human lung cancer cell line, and the nucleotide sequence was determined. Expression of the gene was estimated by Northern analysis in various types of human lung cancer. As a result, increased expression of the laminin receptor was demonstrated especially in the cell types of small cell cancer and bronchioloalveolar cell cancer, which are aggressive biologically. Antibody raised against a partial sequence of the polypeptide was prepared for immunodetection of 67kDa-laminin receptor. It was shown that immunohistochemistry with the antibody could be applied to diagnostic use in lung cancer. The results also suggest that the laminin receptor polypeptide is not necessarily a membrane-associated protein and may function without further processing to the receptor.