[RAB5A, a gene possibly related to metastasis of human carcinoma of the lung and stomach].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To study and isolate tumor metastasis-related genes, and to explore the molecular basis of metastasis of lung and gastric carcinoma. METHODS: Using mRNA differential display technique, cDNA cloning and sequencing, RT-PCR, Northern blot and immunocytochemical methods, genes differentially expressed between human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines AGZY83-a and Anip973 were detected. Anip973 was isolated from AGZY83-a with much higher metastatic potential than the parent line. RESULTS: There were significant differences in gene expression between the two cell lines. RAB5A was one of the genes differentially expressed in Anip973 cells. Its gene product is a GTP-binding protein. Paraffin sections of 33 lung carcinoma and 47 gastric carcinoma specimens were examined immunohistochemically. Expression of RAB5A was positive in 87.9% of NSCLC and 91.5% of gastric cancer specimens examined (P < 0.05), and correlated with their metastatic potential and differentiation degree of gastric carcinoma. CONCLUSION: RAB5A is possibly a metastasis-related gene.