ABSTRACT
Using computational methods for analysis of electronic databases we identified a number of human nucleotide sequences expressed predominantly in tumors. We experimentally studied one of the sequences, which is related to the UniGene database cluster Hs.633957 and located near the telomere in the chromosome 7p22.3. All the RNA sequences of the cluster Hs.633957 are non-coding and their role was not described yet, but expression pattern of the locus makes it theoretically and practically interesting. Here we studied expression of the sequence Hs.633957 in various normal and tumor tissues using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Of all the normal adult tissues studied weak expression was only identified in heart and liver. It was also identified in embryonic brain and kidney. Locus Hs.633957 is expressed in tumors of various tissue origin including tumors of lung, intestines, breast, stomach, cervix, lymph nodes and others. Thus the Hs.633957 locus is expressed predominantly in tumors and may be considered a prospective tumor marker.
Subject(s)
Biomarkers, Tumor/biosynthesis , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 7/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Genes, Neoplasm , Multigene Family , Neoplasms/metabolism , Quantitative Trait Loci , Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 7/genetics , Female , Humans , Male , Neoplasms/genetics , Organ Specificity , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Telomere/genetics , Telomere/metabolismABSTRACT
By using computational differential display approach we identified a number of UniGene clusters which comprised 90% or more of ESTs from tumor cDNA libraries. One of them was cluster Hs.389457 which corresponds to the human gene Brachyury (T). That encodes a T-box gene family member transcription factor which is pivotal in early embryonal development. To experimentally verify our in silico findings of T expression, PCR was conducted using panels of cDNA from various human normal and tumor tissues. According to our results, Brachynry is expressed in tumors of the digestive tract, testis, ovary, breast, kidney, bladder, lung and brain tunic as well as in lymphomas. Weak amplification signals were picked up from normal tissues of small intestine, spleen and testis. Our results support earlier hypothesis on predominant tumor-related expression of Brachyury gene in adults.
