[Analysis of cellular oncogenes in human osteosarcomas transplanted into nude mice]

The structures and transcripts of sixteen different cellular oncogenes (c-oncs) were studied in ten human osteosarcoma lines transplanted onto nude mice by Southern and Northern blot hybridization techniques. One osteosarcoma line (WAJI) had an amplification of c-myc gene at about ten-fold normal amount. High levels of c-myc transcripts were detected in four (MINO, OZA, SU, KiKu) of ten osteosarcoma lines. High levels of c-H-ras transcripts were also detected in four (OZA, TOMO, WAJI, SU) of ten osteosarcoma lines. Gene transcripts of c-fos were detected in only one osteosarcoma line (WAJI). Osteosarcomas containing detectable c-myc transcripts grew more rapidly in nude mice than those with undetectable c-myc transcripts. Levels of c-H-ras transcripts were apparently unrelated to the tumor growth rate.