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Gastrin and gastrin receptor activation: an early event in the adenoma-carcinoma sequence
  1. A M Smith,
  2. S A Watson
  1. Academic Unit of Cancer Studies, Department of Surgery, University Hospital, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
  1. Mr A M Smith.andrew.smith{at}nottingham.ac.uk

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Gastrin and the cholecystokinin type B/gastrin receptor (CCKBR) have been shown to be expressed in colorectal adenocarcinoma. Both exogenous and autocrine gastrin have been demonstrated to stimulate growth of colorectal cancer but it is not known if gastrin affects the growth of colonic polyps. The purpose of this study was to determine if gastrin and CCKBR are expressed in human colonic polyps and to determine at which stage of progression this occurs.

METHODS A range of human colonic polyps was assessed for gastrin and CCKBR gene and protein expression.

RESULTS Normal colonic mucosa did not express gastrin or CCKBR. Gastrin and CCKBR reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction products were detected and verified by specific hybridisation with an oligo probe on Southern blots. Gastrin and CCKBR were expressed in 78% and 81% of polyps, respectively. Both genes were coexpressed in 97% of cases. Immunohistochemistry identified progastrin in 91%, glycine extended gastrin 17 in 80%, and amidated gastrin 17 in only 47% of polyps. CCKBR was present in 96% of polyps. Expression of gastrin and CCKBR was seen in all histological types and sizes of polyps.

CONCLUSIONS This study is the first to show widespread expression of both gastrin and its receptor in colorectal polyps. Their activation occurs early in the adenoma-carcinoma sequence. Gastrin may promote progression through the adenoma-carcinoma sequence.

  • gastrin
  • colon
  • adenomas
  • polyps
  • autocrine
  • Abbreviations used in this paper

    Gly-G17
    glycine extended gastrin 17
    CCKBR
    gastrin/cholecystokinin type B receptor
    RT-PCR
    reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction
    DEPC
    diethyl pyrocarbonate
    dNTP
    deoxynucleoside triphosphate
    APC
    adenomatous polyposis coli
    GAPDH
    glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase
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  • Abbreviations used in this paper

    Gly-G17
    glycine extended gastrin 17
    CCKBR
    gastrin/cholecystokinin type B receptor
    RT-PCR
    reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction
    DEPC
    diethyl pyrocarbonate
    dNTP
    deoxynucleoside triphosphate
    APC
    adenomatous polyposis coli
    GAPDH
    glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase
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