A novel combination of K-ras and myc amplification accompanied by point mutational activation of K-ras in a human lung cancer

EMBO J. 1984 Dec 1;3(12):2943-6. doi: 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1984.tb02236.x.

Abstract

Amplifications of two oncogenes, c-K-ras-2 and c-myc, were found in a human lung giant cell carcinoma (LGCC) Lu-65, which is maintained in nude mice. The extent of c-K-ras-2 and myc amplifications were estimated to be 10- and 8-fold, respectively, by means of the Southern hybridization procedure. In addition, NIH3T3 cells were transformed by transfection of Lu-65 DNA and the transforming gene was identified as c-K-ras-2. c-K-ras-2 genes were cloned from a gene library of Lu-65 and a single point mutation causing a substitution of cysteine for glycine in codon 12 was found by DNA sequencing. It was concluded that the amplification of the c-myc and c-K-ras-2 genes are accompanied by point mutational activation of c-K-ras-2 in the human LGCC Lu-65. This is the first report of multiple gene amplification accompanied by a point mutation of oncogenes in human cancer cells, providing further support for the idea that co-operation of at least two activated cellular oncogenes is required for carcinogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / genetics
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • DNA Restriction Enzymes
  • Gene Amplification*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • Mice, Nude
  • Mutation*
  • Neoplasm Transplantation
  • Oncogenes*
  • Transplantation, Heterologous

Substances

  • DNA Restriction Enzymes