Identification of gene(s) involved in carcinogenic progression of ataxia telangiectasia cells

摘要

AbstractBy using vector‐mediated gene transfer and expression cloning, cDNAs of dominantly acting genes have been identified that cause phenotypic conversion of cells from flat, contact‐inhibited growth to focus formation and anchorage‐independent growth. Such morphologic growth changes are consistent with carcinogenic progression steps. Plasmid rescue and polymerase chain reaction amplification have permitted the identification of four candidate cDNAs (two unknown and two known) that are present in these transformed cells. Partial sequence analysis shows that one unknown gene contains sequence homology to the envelope sequences of the human retrovirus (HIV‐1). This characteristic suggests that the isolated cDNA may be a putative oncogene. The model system reported here permits identification and characterization of genes that may be associated with progression steps from the immortal state to anchorage independence and tumorigenicity. © 1995 Wiley