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Allele loss at the c-Ha-ras1 locus in human ovarian cancer
J H Lee1, J J Kavanagh, J T Wharton
1Department of Medical Oncology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030.
Abstract:
Recent reports have shown allele loss at the c-Ha-ras1 locus on the short arm of chromosome 11 in some types of tumors. To determine whether loss of heterozygosity occurs at the c-Ha-ras1 locus in uncultured human ovarian carcinomas we used Southern blot analysis to study DNA from 17 pairs of ovarian tumors and matched white blood cell samples from the same patients. In one of these 17 tumors, the c-Ha-ras1 locus was rearranged, and in five tumor DNAs from ten informative patients, a c-Ha-ras1 allele was lost. This loss, of relatively high incidence, appears to be an important characteristic of human ovarian cancer and may provide a useful tool for understanding its biological behavior.
Insights
Loss of heterozygosity at the c-Ha-ras1 locus was observed in human ovarian carcinomas. This finding suggests a potential role for c-Ha-ras1 in ovarian cancer development and progression.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Human Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Allele loss at the c-Ha-ras1 locus has been reported in various tumor types.
- The c-Ha-ras1 gene is located on the short arm of chromosome 11.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the c-Ha-ras1 locus in uncultured human ovarian carcinomas.
- To assess the incidence and significance of c-Ha-ras1 LOH in ovarian cancer.
Main Methods:
- Southern blot analysis was employed to examine DNA from 17 pairs of ovarian tumors and matched white blood cell samples.
- Analysis focused on detecting alterations at the c-Ha-ras1 locus.
Main Results:
- One out of 17 tumors showed rearrangement at the c-Ha-ras1 locus.
- Loss of a c-Ha-ras1 allele was detected in five out of ten informative tumor DNA samples.
- This indicates a relatively high incidence of allele loss in the studied cohort.
Conclusions:
- Loss of heterozygosity at the c-Ha-ras1 locus is a significant characteristic of human ovarian cancer.
- The observed allele loss may serve as a valuable marker for understanding the biological behavior of ovarian tumors.