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Gastrin in human bronchogenic carcinomas: constant expression but variable processing of progastrin
J F Rehfeld1, L Bardram, L Hilsted
1Department of Clinical Chemistry, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Cancer Research
|June 1, 1989
Summary
Gastrin and its precursors are found in all types of lung cancer, indicating gastrin gene expression. Measuring progastrin may be key to detecting this expression due to incomplete processing.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Gastrin and cholecystokinin (CCK) are peptide hormones with known roles in digestion and cell growth.
- Aberrant expression of these hormones or their precursors has been implicated in various cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and levels of gastrin, cholecystokinin (CCK), and their precursors in different types of bronchogenic carcinomas.
- To determine if the gastrin gene is expressed in lung tumors and assess the completeness of its posttranslational processing.
Main Methods:
- Radioimmunoassays were used to detect progastrin, procholecystokinin, and their bioactive products in 17 bronchogenic carcinoma samples.
- Chromatography was employed to characterize the specific forms of gastrin present in the tumors.
Main Results:
- Progastrin and some bioactive gastrin products were detected in all tumor types, regardless of histological classification.
- Concentrations varied, with progastrin ranging from 0.2 to 21.9 pmol/g, and bioactive gastrin from <0.1 to 6.1 pmol/g.
- Bioactive gastrins were identified as gastrin-17 peptides; procholecystokinin was not found. Non-neoplastic lung tissue showed only trace progastrin.
Conclusions:
- The gastrin gene is expressed in all histological types of bronchogenic carcinomas.
- Incomplete posttranslational processing of gastrin precursors occurs in these tumors.
- Measuring progastrin levels may be a necessary method for detecting gastrin gene expression in lung cancer.