Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026
11:42
Induction of Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transitions in Sarcoma Cells
Published on: April 7, 2017
erbB-2 gene expression in colorectal cancer
G J Tsioulias1, T Muto, Y Morioka
11st Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Japan.
The Japanese Journal of Experimental Medicine
|December 1, 1990
Summary
The erbB-2 gene product shows rare overexpression in colon cancer, primarily in advanced stages. This suggests a limited role for erbB-2 in colorectal tumor development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- The erbB-2 gene product (HER2) is implicated in various cancers.
- Its role in colorectal tumorigenesis is not well-defined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of the erbB-2 gene product in normal colonic mucosa, adenomas, and colon cancers.
- To determine the potential association of erbB-2 expression with colorectal tumor progression.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical analysis using two distinct anti-erbB-2 antibodies (polyclonal and monoclonal).
- Evaluation of erbB-2 expression in 38 normal colonic mucosae, 14 adenomas, and 44 colon cancer tissues.
- Correlation of positive staining with clinicopathological features, including Dukes stage.
Main Results:
- Normal colonic mucosa and adenomas did not exhibit erbB-2 staining.
- Colon cancer tissues showed rare positive staining: 11% (5/44) with the polyclonal antibody and 1/44 with the monoclonal antibody.
- Most positive cases were associated with Dukes C stage colorectal cancer.
Conclusions:
- Overexpression of the erbB-2 protein is infrequent in colon cancer.
- The findings suggest a minor role for the erbB-2 gene in the development of colorectal tumors.
- Further research may explore specific contexts or subtypes where erbB-2 plays a more significant role.
Related Concept Videos
02:38Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
01:05Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
01:20The Retinoblastoma Gene
Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
01:05Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
01:20The Retinoblastoma Gene
Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
01:22Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptor (Eph) and its ligand, Eph receptor-interacting protein (Ephrin) were first discovered in the human carcinoma cell line, hence the name. Ephrin-Eph interaction guides cells to reach their appropriate location in adult tissues. They also play an essential role in the immune system by helping in immune cell migration, adhesion, and activation. Based on their structure and function, Eph is divided into two classes — EphA and EphB.