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Cancer-associated loss of TARSH gene expression in human primary lung cancer

Kunihiko Terauchi1, Junichi Shimada, Natsuko Uekawa

  • 1Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Kawaramachi-Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, 602-8566, Kyoto, Japan.

Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology
|October 6, 2005
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

The gene TARSH (telomere-associated retrotransposon-derived transcript) shows reduced expression in lung cancer. This suggests TARSH may serve as a biomarker for lung cancer development and progression.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Gene Expression Analysis

Background:

  • Mouse Tarsh identified as a cellular senescence-related gene.
  • TARSH is a presumptive signal transduction molecule potentially involved in lung cancer metastasis.
  • Previous studies showed loss of TARSH mRNA expression in human lung cancer cell lines.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of TARSH in human lung cancer.
  • To quantify TARSH mRNA expression in lung cancer cell lines and primary tumors.
  • To explore TARSH as a potential biomarker for lung cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for TARSH cDNA amplification.
  • Northern blotting using TARSH cDNA probes.
  • Quantification of TARSH mRNA expression in 15 human lung cancer cell lines and 32 primary non-small cell lung cancers.

Main Results:

  • Complete ORF-encoding TARSH cDNA sequence determined in human lung.
  • TARSH mRNA strongly expressed in normal human lung tissue.
  • Remarkable downregulation of TARSH mRNA observed in all examined lung cancer cell lines.
  • Significantly low TARSH expression in tumor specimens compared to non-neoplastic lung tissue.

Conclusions:

  • Cancer-associated transcriptional inactivation of TARSH observed.
  • TARSH may serve as a biomarker for lung cancer development.
  • TARSH could be a molecular adjunct for understanding lung carcinogenesis.

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