Oncogene and Growth Factor Expression in MEN 2 and Related Tumors

Authors

Jeffrey F. Moley
Göran K. Wallin
Michele B. Brother
Michael Kim
Samuel A. Wells Jr.
Garrett M. Brodeur

Abstract

Pheochromocytomas occur sporadically or in individuals affected by inherited syndromes including multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type 2A and 2B, neurofibromatosis, and the von Hippel-Lindau syndrome (vHL). Medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTCs) also occur sporadically or as part of MEN 2A, MEN 2B, and familial MTC. Little is known of the molecular genetic background of these tumors. We have shown previously that activation of the N-ras, H-ras, and K-ras oncogenes does not occur in these tumors, but that deletions of the short arm of chromosome 1 are extremely common (> 60%) and may indicate loss of a suppressor gene in the chromosomal region 1p31-36. We have examined the structure and expression of N-myc, c-myc, L-myc, c-mos, nerve growth factor (β-NGF), and the low affinity nerve growth factor receptor (LNGFR) in a series of pheochromocytomas and MTCs from patients with hereditary and sporadic diseases. Southern analysis, using radiolabeled DNA probes, revealed no evidence of amplification or rearrangement of these genes in any normal or tumor tissues except for loss of heterozygosity at the L-myc locus (1p32) in 9 pheochromocytomas from patients with MEN 2A or MEN 2B, in 5 of 11 non-MEN pheochromocytomas, and in 3 of 24 non-MEN MTCs. Gene expression at the RNA level was examined by Northern analysis or ribonuclease protection assay (RPA) using radiolabeled DNA or cRNA probes. C-myc transcripts were detectable at low levels in all tumors tested. L-myc and c-mos transcripts were not detectable 'in any tumor, and N-myc transcripts were detectable at low levels in all tumors by Northern analysis or RPA. LNGFR transcripts were not detectable in four tumors (two vHL pheochromocytomas, two sporadic pheochromocytomas), but were present at low levels in all other tumors. High levels of gene transcripts, or abnormally sized transcripts, were not seen in any tumor. Deletion of chromosome 1p remains the most consistent and significant molecular genetic abnormality yet identified in these tumors.

Recommended Citation

Moley, Jeffrey F.; Wallin, Göran K.; Brother, Michele B.; Kim, Michael; Wells, Samuel A. Jr.; and Brodeur, Garrett M. (1992) "Oncogene and Growth Factor Expression in MEN 2 and Related Tumors," Henry Ford Hospital Medical Journal : Vol. 40 : No. 3 , 284-288.
Available at: https://scholarlycommons.henryford.com/hfhmedjournal/vol40/iss3/34