Tissue-specific expression of c-Ha-ras in premalignant gastrointestinal mucosae

Stephen J. Meltzer, Dujin Zhou, Wilfred M. Weinstein

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

The molecular mechanisms underlying premalignant gastrointestinal diseases, such as ulcerative colitis and Barrett's esophagus, remain unknown. For this reason, the expression of the protooncogene c-Ha-ras was studied in ulcerative colitis and Barrett's esophagus. Total cellular RNA was extracted from different regions of the gastrointestinal tract in these two diseases. Expression of c-Ha-ras was greater in proximal than in distal colon and undetectable in Barrett's esophagus. These regional differences in expression were not seen with the control gene β-actin or with the protooncogenes c-myc and p53. In order to evaluate structural factors contributing to expression, amplification and methylation of c-Ha-ras DNA were studied in these tissues by Southern and slot blotting. No amplification of c-Ha-ras or six other protooncogenes was detected. These data suggest tissue-specific regulation of c-Ha-ras expression in the gastrointestinal tract in certain premalignant disease states.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)264-274
Number of pages11
JournalExperimental and Molecular Pathology
Volume51
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1989
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine
  • Molecular Biology
  • Clinical Biochemistry

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