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The Subunit of GTP-binding Protein G_o in Neuroblastoma: Correlation with Advanced Disease Stage

Department of Surgery, Branch Hospital of Nagoya University School of Medicine, Daiko-minami, Higashi-ku, Nagoya 461 [Y. I., H. A., H. I., F. I., T. I.], and Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Developmental Research, Aichi Prefectural Colony, Kamiya-cyo, Kasugai [K. K., T. A.], Japan

Tissue levels of the subunit of G protein G_o (G_o ) were measured in solid tumors from pediatric patients by immunoassay. G_o concentrations were determined in the supernatant obtained by centrifugation of tissue homogenates prepared in the presence (total G_o ) or absence of 2% sodium cholate (soluble G_o ). Mean G_o concentrations (total G_o and soluble G_o ) in neuroblastomas (7 ganglioneuromas, 13 ganglioneuroblastomas, and 50 neuroblastomas) were over 50-fold higher than those in other solid tumors from pediatric patients (n = 13). Mean total G_o and soluble G_o concentrations were 207.0 ± 166.0 (SD) ng/mg of cholate-extractable protein and 58.6 ± 47.0 ng/mg of soluble protein, respectively, in the neuroblastoma group (n = 70). Total G_o concentration decreased with disease stage and was strongly correlated with outcome in patients with neuroblastoma. The mean total G_o concentration in tumors from younger patients (<1 year old) was 297.0 ± 137.0 ng/mg of cholate-extractable protein, significantly higher than in tumors from older patients (140.0 ± 155.0 ng/mg cholate-extractable protein, P < 0.0001). These results suggest that total G_o levels in neuroblastoma may indicate the degree of malignancy.

¹ To whom requests for reprints should be addressed.

Received 7/19/93. Accepted 3/ 2/94.