PMID: 7545433Jun 1, 1995Paper

Coexpression of the c-kit and stem cell factor genes in breast carcinomas

Cell Growth & Differentiation : the Molecular Biology Journal of the American Association for Cancer Research
S J HinesG W Krystal

Abstract

Expression of the c-kit tyrosine kinase growth factor receptor has been reported in some breast tumors; however, no data exist concerning expression of its ligand, stem cell factor. The aim of this study was to determine how frequently the c-kit and stem cell factor genes were coexpressed in breast tumors and tumor-derived cell lines and to determine whether coexpression of c-kit and stem cell factor could result in growth stimulation of breast tumor cells. Expression of the c-kit and stem cell factor genes in tissue specimens and cell lines was determined using an RNase protection assay, with confirmation of c-kit protein expression by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting in tumor tissue and cell lines, respectively. Of 11 tumor specimens studied, 9 expressed variable but detectable quantities of c-kit; 7 of 13 tumor-derived cell lines also expressed c-kit. All tumor specimens and cell lines expressed detectable stem cell factor mRNA, suggesting that an autocrine growth loop could exist in the majority of breast carcinomas. To determine the biological effects of coexpression of c-kit and stem cell factor, the MCF-7 cell line, which expresses only stem cell factor, was transfected with a c-kit expression vector. Coexpressi...Continue Reading

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