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Expression of cripto, a novel gene of the epidermal growth factor family, in human gastrointestinal carcinomas
H Kuniyasu1, K Yoshida, H Yokozaki
1First Department of Pathology, Hiroshima University School of Medicine, Japan.
Abstract:
The expression of mRNA for cripto gene, a novel transforming gene of the epidermal growth factor family, was examined in 20 alimentary tract carcinoma cell lines, 60 surgically resected tumor tissues and their adjacent normal mucosas. Although the cripto mRNA was not detected in esophageal carcinomas or in normal mucosas, it was detected in gastric and colorectal carcinomas. In gastric carcinomas, 2.2 kb cripto mRNA was detected in one cell line, all the gastric carcinoma tissues and their adjacent normal mucosas. Of 23 gastric tumor tissues 8 (34.8%) exhibited a higher mRNA level than normal gastric mucosas. cripto mRNA was detected in 2 out of 6 colorectal carcinoma cell lines. Interestingly, 18 (81.8%) out of 22 colorectal carcinoma specimens expressed a higher level of cripto mRNA than that in normal mucosas. The level of the expression was higher than that in gastric carcinoma tissues. The expression was also correlated to tumor stage of colorectal carcinomas.
Insights
Cripto gene messenger RNA (mRNA) is found in gastric and colorectal carcinomas, but not esophageal. Its expression is higher in colorectal tumors and linked to tumor stage.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- The cripto gene, a novel transforming gene within the epidermal growth factor family, plays a role in cellular processes.
- Understanding the expression patterns of specific genes like cripto is crucial for cancer research and diagnostics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of cripto gene mRNA in various gastrointestinal carcinoma cell lines and tumor tissues.
- To compare cripto mRNA levels between tumor tissues and adjacent normal mucosas.
- To explore the correlation between cripto mRNA expression and clinicopathological features, such as tumor stage.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cripto mRNA expression using molecular techniques.
- Examination of 20 alimentary tract carcinoma cell lines.
- Assessment of 60 surgically resected tumor tissues and their adjacent normal mucosas.
Main Results:
- Cripto mRNA was detected in gastric and colorectal carcinomas, but not in esophageal carcinomas or normal mucosas.
- Higher cripto mRNA levels were observed in 34.8% of gastric tumor tissues compared to normal gastric mucosas.
- Cripto mRNA was detected in 2 out of 6 colorectal carcinoma cell lines, with 81.8% of specimens showing higher levels than normal mucosas; expression was higher than in gastric carcinomas and correlated with tumor stage.
Conclusions:
- Cripto gene expression is specific to certain gastrointestinal cancers, notably gastric and colorectal types.
- Elevated cripto mRNA levels in colorectal carcinomas suggest its potential as a biomarker.
- The correlation with tumor stage indicates cripto gene's involvement in colorectal cancer progression.