This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Roebroek, A. J. M. Articles by Van de Ven, W. J. M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Roebroek, A. J. M. Articles by Van de Ven, W. J. M.

Differential Expression of the Gene Encoding the Novel Pituitary Polypeptide 7B2 in Human Lung Cancer Cells¹

Molecular Oncology Section, Department of Biochemistry, University of Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen [A. J. M. R., A. J. D., A. v. B., W. J. M. V. d. V.]; Departments of Animal Physiology and Molecular Biology, University of Nijmegen, Toernooiveld, 6525 ED Nijmegen [G. J. M. M.]; Department of Urology, University of Nijmegen, Geert Grooteplein Noord 21, 6525 EZ Nijmegen [J. A. S.]; and Department of Pathology, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein [S. S. W.], The Netherlands

The protein designated 7B2 is a recently discovered pituitary polypeptide which is selectively expressed in cells containing secretory granules, such as neurons and endocrine cells. Northern blot analysis of 7B2 gene expression in small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) cell lines revealed that 7B2 was expressed in all nine cell lines of the classic type tested, but in six of seven SCLC cell lines of the variant type, 7B2 expression could not be detected. In only one of four non-SCLC cell lines tested, 7B2 was expressed. Furthermore, in 16 primary human non-SCLCs, no or only very low expression of 7B2 was found. In the eight primary human SCLCs tested, expression of 7B2 appeared variable: three exhibited a high level of expression; three a low level; while in two cases, expression was very low or not detectable at all. Finally, the three carcinoid tumors tested expressed very high levels of 7B2 mRNA. These data indicate that the 7B2 gene is a useful marker not only to discriminate between classic and variant types of SCLC cell lines, but also in human lung cancer diagnosis.

¹ This work was supported by the Dutch Cancer Society, KWF Contract No. NUKC Biochem. 85-9. G. J. M. M. is supported by the Netherlands Organization of the Scientific Research (NWO).

² To whom requests for reprints should be addressed.

Received 12/ 5/88. Revised 4/17/89. Accepted 4/27/89.