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Cancer
Expression and activity of mitogen activated protein kinases in human colorectal carcinoma
  1. S Eggstein,
  2. M Franke,
  3. I Kutschka,
  4. G Manthey,
  5. B U von Specht,
  6. G Ruf,
  7. E H Farthmann
  1. Department of General Surgery, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
  1. Dr S Eggstein, Chirurgische Universitätsklinik Freiburg, Abteilung Allgemeine Chirurgie mit Poliklinik, Hugstetterstrasse 55, D-79106 Freiburg, Germany.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) play a central role in the regulation of both cell growth and differentiation. They are involved in signal transduction of oncogenes and growth factors. The role of MAPK in colonic carcinoma is unknown.

AIMS To establish whether the expression and activity of p42/44 MAPKs are altered in colorectal tumours as compared with normal mucosa.

METHODS The expression and activity of p42/p44 MAPK were investigated in 22 colorectal carcinomas, four adenomas, and the corresponding normal colorectal mucosa by the use of western blotting, immunoprecipitation, and in vitro kinase assays.

RESULTS After immunoprecipitation with an antibody specific for p42 MAPK, we found significant inactivation of p42 MAPK in colonic carcinomas as well as in adenomas, whereas most sample pairs showed only minor differences in p42 MAPK expression. Investigation of MAPK with an antibody capable of detecting both p42 and p44 MAPK showed a slight but significant decrease in p44 MAPK content in malignant tissues. With this antibody, only minor alterations in MAPK activity and no correlation with p42 MAPK activity were found.

CONCLUSIONS Inactivation of p42 MAPK could be associated with colonic carcinogenesis.

  • mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK)
  • Raf-1
  • colorectal cancer

  • Abbreviations

    MAPK
    mitogen activated protein kinase
    SSU
    seastar units
    SDS/PAGE
    sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
    MEK
    MAPK kinase

    • https://doi.org/10.1136/gut.44.6.834

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    • Abbreviations

      MAPK
      mitogen activated protein kinase
      SSU
      seastar units
      SDS/PAGE
      sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
      MEK
      MAPK kinase
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