Cholecystokinin A and B receptors are differentially expressed in normal pancreas and pancreatic adenocarcinoma

David S. Weinberg, Bruce Ruggeri, Michael T. Barber, Sanjoy Biswas, Sheila Miknyocki, Scott A. Waldman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

104 Scopus citations

Abstract

Cholecystokinin (CCK) plays an important role in pancreatic carcinogenesis. While human CCK-A and -B receptors have been fully characterized, their relative roles in human pancreatic adenocarcinoma remain unclear. Thus, expression of CCK-A and -B receptors in normal human pancreas, pancreatic adenocarcinomas, and other human extrapancreatic tissues and malignancies was examined, using reverse transcription followed by the polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). mRNA isolated from 15 normal pancreas specimens, 22 pancreatic adenocarcinomas, and 58 extrapancreatic tissues and tumors was subjected to RT-PCR using primers specific for human CCK-A and -B receptors. Expression of CCK-B receptors was detected in all tissues arising from pancreas and in most extrapancreatic tissues and tumors. In contrast, CCK-A receptors exhibited a more selective pattern of expression in gall bladder, intestine, brain, ovary, spleen, and thymus. Of significance, CCK-A receptors were expressed selectively in all pancreatic adenocarcinomas, but not in any normal pancreas specimens. In situ hybridization, using receptor- specific riboprobes, localized CCK-A receptor expression to ductal cells, the presumed origin of most human pancreatic adenocarcinomas. Southern blot analysis revealed no evidence of CCK-A receptor gene amplification or rearrangement in pancreatic adenocarcinomas. Because of its selective expression, the CCK-A receptor may serve as selective biomarker for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)597-603
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation
Volume100
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 1997

Keywords

  • Adenocarcinoma/metabolism
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Cholecystokinin/metabolism
  • Humans
  • Pancreas/metabolism
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms/metabolism
  • Receptor, Cholecystokinin A
  • Receptor, Cholecystokinin B
  • Receptors, Cholecystokinin/biosynthesis

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Cholecystokinin A and B receptors are differentially expressed in normal pancreas and pancreatic adenocarcinoma'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this