A genetic model for undifferentiated cell tumor formation: similar tumors formed by different cell lines transformed by the E1A oncogene.

Abstract

The activation of oncogenes and the mutation/deletion of suppressor genes may be involved in tumor heterogeneity. In an attempt to study tumor heterogeneity, we transformed cell lines from epithelial (PAM 212), mesenchymal (NIH-3T3), or melanocytic origin (L-BIOBR) with the wild type E1a oncogene. To make the cell lines tumorigenic, cells were infected with Harvey sarcoma virus carrying the v-H-ras oncogene. The transformed cells were injected into nude mice and the tumors studied by optical and electron microscopy. The tumors formed by v-H-ras-transformed cells consisted of epitheliod melanomas, spindle cells sarcomas and poorly-differentiated carcinomas, depending on the cell of origin. In contrast, the tumors obtained from cells also carrying the E1a oncogene showed a predominant small and undifferentiated cell pattern regardless of the cell of origin. We conclude that the E1a oncogene products induce a negative control of differentiation, independent of the cell type, and that tumors formed by cells carrying the E1a oncogene display an undifferentiated cell pattern.

• Authors: S Ramón y Cajal, R Sánchez-Prieto, A Anaya
• Journal: Histology and histopathology (Histol Histopathol) Vol. 10 Issue 4 Pg. 811-20 (Oct 1995) ISSN: 0213-3911 [Print] Spain
• PMID: 8574001 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Adenovirus E1A Proteins

Topics

• Adenovirus E1A Proteins (genetics)
• Animals
• Blotting, Western
• Cell Transformation, Neoplastic (genetics, pathology)
• Genes, ras (genetics)
• Immunohistochemistry
• Mice
• Mice, Nude
• Microscopy, Electron
• Oncogenes (genetics)
• Tumor Cells, Cultured