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Allele loss from chromosome 17 in ovarian cancer
S E Russell1, G I Hickey, W S Lowry
1Department of Oncology, Queen's University, Belfast, N. Ireland.
Abstract:
In a number of human cancers genes capable of suppressing tumorigenicity have been identified and in some instances cloned. Successful isolation of such tumour suppressor genes has depended upon either the mapping of a locus which confers susceptibility to a specific tumour, or the finding of specific allele loss in the tumour cells of heterozygous individuals. In ovarian cancer it is known that a small proportion (approximately 5%) of tumours are due to inheritance (Lynch et al., 1989). However, as yet the locus responsible has not been mapped. The only incidence of allele loss in ovarian tumours reported is on the short arm of chromosome 11 using a c-Ha-ras I probe to detect an RFLP (Lee et al., 1989), and on 3p and 6 in a small number of cases (Ehlen & Dubeau (1990)). We describe here the results of analysis of 19 tumours for allele loss using a probe for a hypervariable locus on the long arm of chromosome 17. Approximately 77% (10/13) of tumours from informative patients showed complete or partial allele loss at this locus. Using a probe for the short arm of chromosome 17, 31% (4 of 13 informative patients) demonstrated allele loss at this position. These results suggest that possible involvement of more than one chromosomal locus in the development of ovarian cancer.
Insights
Researchers identified significant allele loss in ovarian tumors, suggesting multiple chromosomal locations may be involved in cancer development. This finding advances understanding of ovarian cancer genetics.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Human Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Tumor suppressor genes are crucial in cancer development and have been identified in various human cancers.
- Ovarian cancer has a small hereditary component, but the responsible genetic locus remains unmapped.
- Previous studies reported allele loss in ovarian tumors on chromosomes 11p, 3p, and 6.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate allele loss at specific chromosomal loci in ovarian tumors.
- To identify potential tumor suppressor gene locations involved in ovarian cancer development.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 19 ovarian tumors for allele loss.
- Utilized probes for hypervariable loci on chromosome 17 (long and short arms).
- Detected allele loss using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis.
Main Results:
- Approximately 77% of informative patients showed allele loss on chromosome 17 long arm.
- 31% of informative patients demonstrated allele loss on chromosome 17 short arm.
- Significant allele loss was observed at both investigated loci.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest that multiple chromosomal loci, particularly on chromosome 17, are implicated in ovarian cancer.
- This study provides evidence for the potential involvement of novel tumor suppressor genes in ovarian tumorigenesis.
- Further research is warranted to map these loci and identify specific genes responsible for ovarian cancer development.