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Peptide amidating activity in human bronchoalveolar lavage fluid
F M Scott1, A M Treston, G L Shaw
1Biomarkers and Prevention Research Branchi, Rockville, Maryland 20850-3300, USA.
Lung Cancer (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
|June 1, 1996
Summary
Monitoring neuroendocrine markers in lung lavage fluid may help detect early lung cancer. Measuring peptidyl-glycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase (PAM) activity shows potential for identifying individuals at risk of developing new lung cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Neuroendocrine (NE) markers in pulmonary epithelium are crucial for lung development, repair, and potentially carcinogenesis.
- Monitoring respiratory epithelial biology may identify individuals with incipient lung cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate candidate NE markers for prospective analysis of clinical specimens.
- To determine the feasibility of using NE markers in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid for lung cancer risk assessment.
Main Methods:
- Compared peptidyl-glycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase (PAM) activity and L-DOPA decarboxylase (DDC) levels in 30 lung cancer cell lines.
- Assessed PAM enzyme activity (peptidylglycine alpha-hydroxylating monooxygenase [PHM] and peptidylamidoglycolate lyase [PAL]) in BAL fluid from at-risk subjects and volunteers.
- Utilized cluster analysis to identify enzyme value thresholds.
Main Results:
- Peptide amidating activity correlated with NE status in lung cancer cell lines.
- PAM enzyme activity (PHM and PAL) varied significantly in BAL fluid specimens.
- Cluster analysis identified a subset of specimens with PHM activity > 230 pmol/h/mg protein.
Conclusions:
- PAM activity in BAL fluid may serve as a potential indicator of NE status.
- Further long-term follow-up is needed to establish the predictive value of PAM in BAL fluid for detecting second primary lung cancers.