Overexpression of EGF receptor is associated with spontaneous metastases of a human melanoma cell line in nude mice
Huang, T.S.; Rauth, S.; Das Gupta, T.K.
Anticancer Research 16(6b): 3557-3563
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0250-7005 PMID: 9042221 Document Number: 464781
Twelve human melanoma cell lines were analyzed for alterations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene at the DNA, RNA, and protein levels. EGFR expression of the cell lines was then correlated with their previously reported p53 expression, in vivo growth characteristics, and rate of metastases in athymic mice. Northern blot and immunocytochemical analyses demonstrated low to intermediate levels of EGF receptor expression in four cell lines. Overexpression of EGFR was seen in one cell line, UISO-MEL-6. Although no significant statistical difference was observed between in vivo growth of EGFR-positive cll lines versus EGFR-negative cell lines, UISO-MEL-6 which also lacked p53 expression, had the fastest in vivo rate of growth and was the only cell line to produce visceral metastases following subcutaneous inoculation in nude mice. Furthermore, EGFR overexpression in UISO-MEL-6 was associated with alterations of the gene at the DNA level.