In:
Digestion, S. Karger AG, Vol. 60, No. 6 ( 1999), p. 544-548
Abstract:
〈 i 〉 Background/Aim: 〈 /i 〉 Mutations of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor gene have been described in a subset of pancreatic carcinomas. The APC gene modulates the β-catenin-Tcf pathway. The major player in this pathway is the β-catenin protein encoded by the 〈 i 〉 β 〈 /i 〉 -catenin gene. A variety of different tumors, including colon, prostate, endometrial, and hepatocellular carcinomas, carry mutations in exon 3 of the 〈 i 〉 β 〈 /i 〉 -catenin gene. The aim of this study was to determine the role of the 〈 i 〉 β 〈 /i 〉 -catenin gene in the genesis of exocrine and endocrine tumors of the pancreas. 〈 i 〉 Methods: 〈 /i 〉 78 ductal pancreatic adenocarcinomas, 14 ductal pancreatic cancer cell lines, and 33 endocrine pancreatic tumors were evaluated for mutations in exon 3 of the 〈 i 〉 β 〈 /i 〉 -catenin gene by single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis and direct DNA sequencing. In addition, 40 ductal pancreatic adenocarcinomas were analyzed for intracellular β-catenin accumulation by immunohistochemistry, indicating alterations of the 〈 i 〉 β 〈 /i 〉 -catenin gene. 〈 i 〉 Results: 〈 /i 〉 Neither the 111 exocrine and endocrine pancreatic tumors nor the 14 pancreatic cancer cell lines carried mutations in exon 3 of the 〈 i 〉 β 〈 /i 〉 -catenin gene. Intracellular β-catenin accumulation was not identified in any of the 40 pancreatic adenocarcinomas. 〈 i 〉 Conclusion: 〈 /i 〉 These data suggest that the 〈 i 〉 β 〈 /i 〉 -catenin gene as the major player of the β-catenin-Tcf pathway does not play an important role in the genesis of pancreatic tumors.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0012-2823
,
1421-9867
Language:
English
Publisher:
S. Karger AG
Publication Date:
1999
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1482218-0
