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Evidence for a new tumor-suppressor gene involved in gastrointestinal malignancies
M L Wasylyshyn1, W L Neuman, I Angriman
1Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, Ill 60637.
Abstract:
Inactivation or loss of tumor-suppressor genes is believed to lead to the development or progression of malignancies. To determine whether a tumor-suppressor gene is located on chromosome 8, DNA was extracted from tumor and normal tissue of colorectal, gastric, and pancreatic specimens, and allele loss was investigated by Southern hybridization techniques with the chromosome 8 probe D8S7. Twenty-five percent of pancreatic carcinomas, 50% of gastric carcinomas, and 50% of colorectal carcinomas were found to have lost an allele on chromosome 8. These findings suggest the presence of a tumor-suppressor gene on chromosome 8, which is involved in colorectal carcinoma, gastric carcinoma, and pancreatic carcinoma. Definition of the frequency with which this tumor-suppressor gene is involved in gastrointestinal malignancies will await the study of many patients who are classified as informative and the use of multiple probes for chromosome 8.
Insights
Tumor suppressor genes on chromosome 8 are lost in 50% of gastric and colorectal cancers, and 25% of pancreatic cancers, indicating their role in gastrointestinal malignancies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Tumor suppressor genes are critical in preventing cancer development.
- Loss of heterozygosity on specific chromosomes is a hallmark of many cancers.
- Chromosome 8 is investigated for its potential role in gastrointestinal malignancies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of a tumor suppressor gene on chromosome 8.
- To determine the frequency of allele loss on chromosome 8 in colorectal, gastric, and pancreatic carcinomas.
Main Methods:
- DNA was extracted from tumor and normal tissues of colorectal, gastric, and pancreatic specimens.
- Southern hybridization techniques were employed using the chromosome 8 probe D8S7 to detect allele loss.
Main Results:
- Allele loss on chromosome 8 was observed in 50% of colorectal carcinomas.
- Allele loss on chromosome 8 was observed in 50% of gastric carcinomas.
- Allele loss on chromosome 8 was observed in 25% of pancreatic carcinomas.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest the presence of a tumor suppressor gene on chromosome 8.
- This tumor suppressor gene appears to be involved in the development of colorectal, gastric, and pancreatic carcinomas.
- Further studies with more patients and probes are needed to define the exact frequency of this gene's involvement in gastrointestinal malignancies.