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Published on: May 26, 2011
Isolation, characterization and chromosomal localization of human WNT10B
G Hardiman1, R A Kastelein, J F Bazan
1Department of Molecular Biology, DNAX Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA 94304-1104, USA. hardiman@dnax.org
Cytogenetics and Cell Genetics
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Researchers identified a novel human Wnt gene, WNT10B, crucial in development and oncogenesis. This gene is highly expressed in adult heart and skeletal muscle, and in certain cancer cell lines.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- The Wnt family comprises glycoproteins involved in oncogenesis and development.
- Vertebrate Wnt10 proteins are known from various species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize a novel human Wnt gene using bioinformatics.
- To investigate the expression pattern and chromosomal localization of WNT10B.
Main Methods:
- Bioinformatics analysis to identify and characterize the WNT10B gene.
- Quantitative PCR to determine WNT10B expression levels in adult tissues and cancer cell lines.
- Fluorescent in situ hybridization and PCR typing for chromosomal localization.
Main Results:
- A novel human Wnt gene, WNT10B, was identified, encoding a 389-amino acid protein with high sequence identity to mouse Wnt10b.
- WNT10B is expressed in multiple adult tissues, notably heart and skeletal muscle.
- Elevated WNT10B mRNA levels were detected in HeLa cervical cancer cells.
- WNT10B was localized to chromosome 12q13.1.
Conclusions:
- WNT10B is a newly characterized human Wnt gene with significant sequence homology to its mouse counterpart.
- The expression profile suggests a role for WNT10B in adult tissues and potentially in cervical cancer.
- Chromosomal localization provides a basis for further genetic studies.
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