Ornithine decarboxylase enzyme activity in human and hamster pancreatic tumor cell lines

We measured ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) enzyme activity, protein and DNA levels in 4 pancreatic cancer cell lines, 2 derived from human tumors (COLO-357 and PANC-1) and 2 derived from hamster tumors (WDPaCa and PDPaCa). We measured the parameters in confluent stage conditions and in log-growth phase. We report that the enzyme levels in all cell lines are elevated with respect to normal pancreatic tissue. Half-life studies of ODC in the PDPaCa cell line indicate a 3-fold increase in half-life.