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Human oncogenes detected by a defined medium culture assay
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York 10032.
Oncogene
|January 1, 1987
Summary
A new assay detected oncogenes in human tumor DNA by transfecting it into mouse cells. Three of 17 tumor cell lines showed activated ras genes, and one unique oncogene was found in SAOS2 cells.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
- Genetics
Background:
- Oncogenes are key drivers of human cancers.
- Identifying novel oncogenes is crucial for developing targeted cancer therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a new transformation assay for detecting oncogenes in human tumor DNA.
- To identify activated oncogenes in a panel of human tumor cell lines.
Main Methods:
- Transfection of cellular DNAs from human tumor cell lines into NIH3T3 murine fibroblasts.
- Selection of transformed cells in a defined medium lacking growth factors.
- Characterization of activated oncogenes, including ras genes and novel oncogenes.
Main Results:
- The new assay successfully detected transforming activity in DNA from 8 out of 17 human tumor cell lines.
- Activated cellular ras genes were identified as the cause of transforming activity in three cases.
- A novel activated oncogene, distinct from 18 known oncogenes, was found in the SAOS2 osteosarcoma cell line.
- A unique oncogene arose from a transfection-mediated DNA rearrangement.
Conclusions:
- The developed transformation assay is effective for identifying oncogenes in human tumor DNA.
- This study identified known (ras) and novel oncogenes, expanding the landscape of cancer-driving genes.
- The findings highlight the potential for discovering new therapeutic targets in cancer.