Expression of NGF family and their receptors in gastric carcinoma:A cDNA microarray study

AIM: To investigate the expression of NGF family and their receptors in gastric carcinoma and normal gastric mucosa,and to elucidate their effects on gastric carcinoma.METHODS: RNA of gastric cancer tissues and normal gastric tissues was respectively isolated and mRNA was purified.Probes of both mRNA reverse transcription product cDNAs labled with α-33P dATP were respectively hybridized with Atlas Array membrane where NGF and their family genes were spotted on. Hybridized signal images were scanned on phosphor screen with ImageQuant 5.1 software after hybridization. Normalized values on spots were analyzed with ArrayVersion 5.0 software. Differential expression of NGF family and their receptors mRNA was confirmed between hybridized Atlas Array membranes of gastric cancer tissues and normal gastric mucosa, then their effects on gastric carcinoma were investigated.RESULTS: Hybridization signal images on Atlas Array membrane appeared in a lower level of nonspecific hybridization. Both of NGF family and their receptors Trk family mRNA were expressed in gastric cancer and normal gastric mucosa. But adversely up-regulated expression in other tissues and organs. NGF, BDGF, NT-3, NT-4/5, NT-6and TrkA, B and C were down-regulated simultaneously in gastric carcinoma in comparison with normal gastric mucosa. Degrees of down-regulation in NGF family were greater than those in their receptors Trk family. Downregulation of NT-3 and BDGF was the most significant,and TrkC down-regulation level was the lowest in receptors Trk family.CONCLUSION: Down-regulated expression of NGF family and their receptors Trk family mRNA in gastric cancer is confirmed. NGF family and their receptors Trk family probably play a unique role in gastric cancer cell apoptosis by a novel Ras or Raf signal transduction pathway. Their synchronous effects are closely associated with occurrence and development of gastric carcinoma induced by reduction of signal transduction of programmed cell death.

cDNA suppression subtraction library for screening down-regulated genes in gastric carcinoma

AIM: To establish cDNA suppression subtraction library with a high subtraction efficiency by counterpart normal gastric mucosa mixture mRNA subtracting gastric cancer cells mixture mRNA for screening down-regulated genes in gastric carcinoma.METHODS: RNA of gastric cancer tissues and counterpart normal gastric mucosa were respectively isolated in five patients with gastric cancer, and their mRNA was purified.cDNA suppression subtraction library was established by counterpart normal gastric mucosa mixture mRNA (tester)subtracting gastric cancer tissues mixture mRNA (driver) of five patients with gastric carcinoma. The library plasmids were transformed into competent bacteria DH5a after ligation of the library cDNA fragments with T vectors. Library plasmids were extracted after picking colonies and shaking bacteria overnight. Its subtraction efficiency was confirmed by PCR and reverse hybridization of a nylon filter onto which the colonies of bacteria were transfered with probes of reverse transcription products cDNA of gastric cancer tissues mRNA and counterpart normal gastric mucosa mRNA labeled with α-32P dCTP.RESULTS: mRNA purified from total RNA of gastric cancer tissues and counterpart normal gastric mucosa in five patients with gastric carcinoma revealed a good quality. cDNA suppression subtraction library constructed for screening down-regulated genes in gastric carcinoma represented a high subtraction efficiency. 86 % of differential expression in down-regulated genes between counterpart normal gastric mucosa and gastric carcinoma was confirmed.CONCLUSION: cDNA suppression subtraction library with a high subtraction efficiency for screening down-regulated genes in gastric carcinoma is successfully established.