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L Xia

Publications and source records attributed to L Xia.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

[Enantiomeric resolution of trans-1,2-disubstituted cyclopropane by high performance liquid chromatography].

The enantiomeric resolution of racemic mixtures of thirteen trans-1,2-disubstituted cyclopropane was achieved with HPLC by using Chiralcel OD and Chiralcel OJ as chiral stationary phase and hexane/2-propanol mixtures with different concentrations as eluent. The chromatographic parameters of these racemates on Chiralcel OD and Chiralcel OJ columns were examined. The results showed that enantiomeric resolution ability of the racemic mixtures of trans-1,2-disubstituted cyclopropane on Chiralcel OD and Chiralcel OJ was strongly dependent on the site and the property of substituents on the benzene cycle. On the other hand, some racemated of trans-1,2-disubstituted cyclopropane with aliphatic group were also separated on the columns. The results showed that the chiral recognition process was the sum of all the possible chiral interaction (the dipole-dipole, hydrogen bond-hydrogen bond and pi-pi interactions) between the chiral stationary phase and trans-1,2-disubstituted cyclopropane. This method has been applied to identify the optical purity of trans-1,2-disubstituted cyclopropane.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Disruption of Escherichia coli hepA, an RNA polymerase-associated protein, causes UV sensitivity.

During the development of purification procedures for Escherichia coli RNA polymerase (RNAP), we noticed the consistent co-purification of a 110-kDa polypeptide. Here, we report the identification of the 110-kDa protein as the product of the hepA gene, a member of the SNF2 family of putative helicases. We have cloned the hepA gene and overexpressed and purified the HepA protein. We show in vitro that RNAP preparations have an ATPase activity only in the presence of HepA and that HepA binds core RNAP competitively with the promoter specificity sigma70 subunit with a 1:1 stoichiometry and a dissociation constant (Kd) of 75 nM. An E. coli strain with a disruption in the hepA gene shows sensitivity to ultraviolet light.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

GR231118 (1229U91) and other analogues of the C-terminus of neuropeptide Y are potent neuropeptide Y Y1 receptor antagonists and neuropeptide Y Y4 receptor agonists.

GR231118, BW1911U90, Bis(31/31')[[Cys31, Trp32, Nva34] neuropeptide Y(31-36)] (T-190) and [Trp-Arg-Nva-Arg-Tyr]2-NH2 (T-241) are peptide analogs of the C-terminus of neuropeptide Y that have recently been shown to be antagonists of the neuropeptide Y Y1 receptor. In this study, the activity of these peptides at each of the cloned neuropeptide Y receptor subtypes is determined in radioligand binding assays and in functional assays (inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cAMP formation). GR231118 is a potent antagonist at the human and rat neuropeptide Y Y1 receptors (pA2 = 10.5 and 10.0, respectively; pKi = 10.2 and 10.4, respectively), a potent agonist at the human neuropeptide Y Y4 receptor (pEC50 = 8.6; pKi = 9.6) and a weak agonist at the human and rat neuropeptide Y Y2 and Y5 receptors. GR231118 also has high affinity for the mouse neuropeptide Y Y6 receptor (pKi = 8.8). Therefore, GR231118 is a relatively selective neuropeptide Y Y1 receptor antagonist, but has appreciable activity at the neuropeptide Y Y4 and Y6 receptors as well. BW1911U90, T-190 and T-241 are moderately potent neuropeptide Y Y1 receptor antagonists (pA2 = 7.1, 5.8 and 6.5, respectively; pKi = 8.3, 6.5 and 6.8, respectively) and neuropeptide Y Y4 receptor agonists (pEC50 = 6.8, 6.3 and 6.6, respectively; pKi; 8.3, 7.7 and 8.3, respectively). These data suggest that the C-terminus of neuropeptide Y and related peptides is sufficient for activation of the neuropeptide Y Y4 receptor, but is not sufficient for activation of the neuropeptide Y Y1 receptor. Because BW1911U90, T-190 and T-241 are significantly less potent at the cloned human neuropeptide Y Y1 receptor than at the neuropeptide Y receptor in human erythroleukemia cells, these cells may express a novel neuropeptide Y receptor with high affinity for these peptides.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Comparison of promoters for the murine and human P-selectin genes suggests species-specific and conserved mechanisms for transcriptional regulation in endothelial cells.

P-selectin, an adhesion receptor for leukocytes, is constitutively expressed in megakaryocytes and endothelial cells. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) increases synthesis of P-selectin in murine but not in human endothelial cells. To identify potential species-specific and conserved mechanisms for regulation of expression of P-selectin, we cloned the 5'-flanking region of the murine P-selectin gene and compared its features with those previously reported for the human gene. The murine and human genes shared conserved Stat-like, Hox, Ets, GATA, and GT-IIC elements. In the murine gene, a conserved GATA element bound to GATA-2 and functioned as a positive regulatory element, whereas a conserved Ets element bound to GA-binding protein and functioned as a negative regulatory element. Significantly, the murine P-selectin gene had several features not found in the human gene. These included an insertion from -987 to -649 that contained tandem GATA and tandem AP1-like sequences, which resembled enhancers in beta-globin locus control regions. Both tandem elements bound specifically to nuclear proteins. The murine gene lacked the unique kappaB site specific for p50 or p52 homodimers found in the human gene. Instead, it contained two tandem kappaB elements and a variant activating transcription factor/cAMP response element site, which closely resembled sites in the E-selectin gene that are required for TNF-alpha- or LPS-inducible expression. TNF-alpha or LPS augmented expression of a reporter gene driven by the murine, but not the human, P-selectin promoter in transfected endothelial cells. Deletional analysis of the murine 5'-flanking region revealed several sequences that were required for either constitutive or inducible expression. These data suggest that both species-specific and conserved mechanisms regulate transcription of the human and murine P-selectin genes.

Animals↗

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha- or lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of the murine P-selectin gene in endothelial cells involves novel kappaB sites and a variant activating transcription factor/cAMP response element.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) increases expression of the P-selectin gene in murine, but not in human, endothelial cells. These mediators augment expression of a reporter gene driven by the murine, but not the human, P-selectin promoter in transfected endothelial cells. The regions from -593 to -474 and from -229 to -13 in the murine P-selectin promoter are required for TNF-alpha or LPS to stimulate reporter gene expression. Within these regions, we identified two tandem kappaB elements, a reverse-oriented kappaB site and a variant activating transcription factor/cAMP response element (ATF/CRE), that participate in TNF-alpha- or LPS-induced expression. The tandem kappaB elements bound to NF-kappaB heterodimers and p65 homodimers, the reverse-oriented kappaB site bound to p65 homodimers, and the variant ATF/CRE bound to nuclear proteins that included activating transcription factor-2. Mutations in each individual element eliminated binding to nuclear proteins and decreased by 20-60% the TNF-alpha- or LPS-induced expression of a reporter gene driven by the murine P-selectin promoter in transfected endothelial cells. Simultaneous mutations of all elements further decreased, but did not abolish, induced expression. Co-overexpression of p50 and p65 enhanced murine P-selectin promoter activity in a kappaB site-dependent manner. These data indicate that the kappaB sites and the variant ATF/CRE are required for TNF-alpha or LPS to optimally induce expression of the murine P-selectin gene. The presence of these elements in the murine, but not the human, P-selectin gene may explain in part why TNF-alpha or LPS stimulates transcription of P-selectin in a species-specific manner.

Animals↗

A proteasome inhibitor, an antioxidant, or a salicylate, but not a glucocorticoid, blocks constitutive and cytokine-inducible expression of P-selectin in human endothelial cells.

Proteasome inhibitors, antioxidants, salicylates, or glucocorticoids block the cytokine-induced expression of the endothelial cell adhesion molecules E-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1. These pharmacological agents have been assumed to inhibit the expression of adhesion molecules primarily by blocking activation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB. We found that the proteasome inhibitor ALLN, the antioxidant PDTC, or sodium salicylate, but not the glucocorticoid dexamethasone, inhibited both the constitutive and the interleukin-4- or oncostatin M-induced expression of the adhesion molecule P-selectin in human endothelial cells. ALLN, PDTC, or sodium salicylate decreased P-selectin expression without a detectable requirement for inhibition of NF-kappaB activation or for an intact kappaB element in the P-selectin gene. These results extend the potential anti-inflammatory utility of such drugs to inhibition of P-selectin expression and suggest that they have important actions that do not involve the NF-kappaB system.

Animals↗

Overexpression of the nonpancreatic secretory group II PLA2 messenger RNA and protein in colorectal adenomas from familial adenomatous polyposis patients.

The synovial fluid or group II secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) has been implicated in various inflammatory processes and has been shown to release arachidonic acid for prostaglandin biosynthesis. In human colorectal cancer, both arachidonic acid and eicosanoid levels are elevated. Recently, sPLA2 has been identified as a candidate gene that modifies the Apc gene in the Min mouse, a murine model for familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Loss of sPLA2 gene function results in susceptibility to the Min phenotype and the formation of multiple intestinal polyps, whereas mice expressing an active sPLA2 gene are resistant to polyp formation. Therefore, there are two potentially contrasting roles for sPLA2 in colon cancer; one is protection against polyp formation, and the other, the release of arachidonic acid for prostaglandin production and subsequent tumor promotion. To investigate these contrasting dual roles of sPLA2, we have examined the expression and sequence of the sPLA2 mRNA in normal mucosa and duodenal and colorectal polyps from FAP patients. In 11 of 14 patients, there was a significant increase in sPLA2 mRNA levels in the adenoma over the normal tissue. In some cases, there was over 100-fold increase in mRNA levels in the adenoma compared with normal tissue. Analysis of multiple adenomatous polyps from individual patients revealed that not all polyps contained elevated levels of sPLA2 mRNA. Immunoblot analysis also showed that sPLA2 protein expression was elevated in adenoma over normal tissue in five of six FAP patients analyzed. Furthermore, sequence analysis of sPLA2 mRNA present in these samples did not reveal mutations in the coding region. The implications of the up-regulation of sPLA2 in FAP is not clear, but unlike the Min mouse model, it does not seem to have a significant effect on polyp formation. In contrast, the high level of sPLA2 expression is more likely contributing to the elevated levels of arachidonic acid found in colorectal cancer and, in conjunction with the elevated expression of cyclooxygenase-2, could be another factor in tumor formation.

Adenoma↗

Comparison of recombinant human PDE4 isoforms: interaction with substrate and inhibitors.

Four cyclic-nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) genes belonging to the PDE4 family (PDE4A, 4B, 4C and 4D) have been identified. All four isogenes, including several deletions and alterations of the amino, carboxyl and central catalytic domains, were expressed in insect cells. Lysates were characterised for enzyme activity by using the Km for substrate and the EC50 for activation by the cofactor Mg2+. The catalytic domain alone appears to be sufficient for the normal enzymatic function of PDE4 proteins. Substrate affinity varied by less than 2-fold between catalytic-domain forms of the PDE4A, 4B and 4D isogenes and the long forms (PDE4A5, PDE4B1 and PDE4D3). The affinity for Mg2+ varied by less than 4-fold between long and catalytic-domain forms of PDE4A and 4B. The catalytic-domain form of PDE4D, however, had a 12-fold lower affinity for Mg2+ that was restored by including a portion of the amino-terminal domain, upstream conserved region-2 (UCR2). This result suggests that the Mg2+-binding site of PDE4D involves the UCR2 region. Inhibition of the PDE4 proteins by synthetic compounds is apparently affected differently by the domains. For PDE4B, the catalytic domain is sufficient for interactions with the inhibitors studied: IBMX, trequinsin, rolipram, TVX 2706, RP 73401 and RS-25344. For PDE4D the catalytic-domain form is less sensitive than the long form to inhibition by RS-25344, rolipram and TVX 2706, by 1463-, 11-and 12-fold, respectively. Addition of UCR2 to the catalytic-domain form of PDE4D restored all the lost sensitivities. The catalytic-domain form of PDE4A showed a reduced inhibitor affinity with RS-25344 and TVX 2706 by 77- and 90-fold, respectively. Both catalytic-domain and long forms of PDE4 isogenes interacted with equal affinity with the non-specific inhibitors IBMX and trequinsin, as well as the very potent PDE4-specific inhibitor RP 73401. Other potent and specific PDE4 inhibitors, such as rolipram, RS-25344 or TVX 2706, appear to utilize non-catalytic domain interactions with PDE4D and 4A to supplement those within the catalytic domains. These observations suggest a different relation between amino and catalytic domains in PDE4D relative to PDE4B. We therefore propose a model to illustrate these isogene-specific PDE4 domain interactions with substrate, inhibitors and the co-factor Mg2+. The model for PDE4D is also discussed in relation to changes in the activation curve for Mg2+ and sensitivity to RS-25344 that accompany phosphorylation of the long form by protein kinase A.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

The human sebocyte culture model provides new insights into development and management of seborrhoea and acne.

Seborrhoea and acne are exclusively human diseases and sebaceous gland differentiation is species specific. Therefore, fundamental research on human sebaceous cell function and control requires human in vitro models. The human sebocyte culture model, introduced in 1989, has been used in several studies to elucidate sebaceous gland activity and its regulation at the cellular level. Cultured human sebocytes have been shown to preserve important sebocytic characteristics, although they undergo an incomplete terminal differentiation in vitro. In vitro synthesis of free fatty acids without bacterial involvement and marked interleukin 1 alpha expression at the mRNA and protein levels with no further induction by lipopolysaccharides lead to the assumption that human sebocytes may initiate acne lesions by an intrinsic mechanism. Androgens affected sebocyte activity in vitro in a manner dependent on the localization of the sebaceous glands. In vitro stimulation of sebocyte proliferation by androgens could be completely abolished by spironolactone. Cultured sebocytes strongly expressed type 1 5 alpha-reductase and metabolized testosterone to androstenedione, 5 alpha-androstanedione, 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, androsterone and 5 alpha-androstanediol, whereas the levels of 5 alpha-reductase activity were probably not feedback regulated. 4,7 beta-Dimethyl-4-aza-5 alpha-cholestan-3-one, a type 1 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, induced an early, marked down-regulation of 5 alpha-reductase activity in human sebocytes in vitro, while hydrofinasteride, a type 2 inhibitor, required 10(3)-fold higher concentrations to induce similar effects. Stimulation of sebocyte proliferation by insulin, thyroid-stimulating hormone and hydrocortisone indicates that the hormonal control of the sebaceous gland could be a complex mechanism. Retinoids inhibited sebocyte proliferation in a dose-dependent manner and down-regulated lipid synthesis and sebocyte differentiation in vitro. Isotretinoin was the most potent compound. On the other hand, vitamin A was found essential for sebocyte activity and differentiation in vitro and could be partially substituted by synthetic retinoids. The inhibitory effect of isotretinoin on sebocyte proliferation was barely affected by the presence of vitamin A. The low persistent isotretinoin levels or, more likely, the considerably elevated tretinoin concentrations detected in human sebocytes after treatment with isotretinoin in vitro may be responsible for the inhibitory effect of this compound on sebocyte activity.

Acne Vulgaris↗

[Preliminary report of xenogenic bone graft for sixty-five cases].

From January 1984 to November 1997, the boiling xenogenic bone (porcine and bovine bone) was applied in 65 patients. The xenogenic bone was used to promote bone healing in 24 cases, intramedullary bone graft in 37 and osteomyelitis in 4. All of the patients were followed up for 2 to 35 months. The results showed that in five cases there was infection after operation, and all other the wounds had primary healing. The xenogenic bone seemed to induce rejection in vivo. In the sevious cases immunosuppressive treatment was often needed. The volume of the bone grafted and the extent of the periosteum being stripped seemed to be important whether xenogenic bone graft would be successful or. There were lots of problem needed investigation.

Adolescent↗

[Clinical evaluation of several tumor markers in the diagnosis of primary hepatic cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the practical significance of alphafetoprotein(AFP), alpha-L-fucosidase(AFu), gamma-glutamyltransferase(GGT), sialic acid(SA) and carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA) in the diagnosis of primary hepatic cancer(PHC). METHODS: AFP, AFu, GGT, SA and CEA in the serum were studied in 67 patients with PHC, 8 with hepatic metastasis of gastrointestinal cancer, 89 with benign liver diseases and in 131 controls without liver diseases. RESULTS: According to statistics, the sensitivity of AFP, AFu, GGT, SA and CEA in the diagnosis of PHC was 65.4%, 70.8%, 34.8%, 60.2% and 36.4% repectively; their specificity was 92.6%, 98.1%, 87.1%, 94.5% and 77.8% respectively. CEA in hepatic metastasis of gastrointestinal cancer was higher than that in the other groups of patients. Simultaneous detection of AFP, AFu GGT and CEA gave a diagnostic sensitivity and specificity in PHC of 81.4% and 91.6% respectively. CONCLUSION: AFP and AFu are superior to GGT, SA and CEA in the diagnosis of PHC; simultaneous detection of AFP, AFu, GGT and SA might increase the diagnositic sensitivity and specificity of PHC. CEA was less helpful in the diagnosis of PHC, but might be used to differentiate PHC from hepatic metastasis of gastrointestinal cancer.

Adolescent↗

[DNA content, expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and surgical margins in locally advanced laryngeal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To probe into the relationship between DNA content, PCNA and prognosis. METHODS: Surgical margins in 34 patients with locally advanced laryngeal cancers were observed by means of antibody to PCNA and DNA content measurements. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that at neoplasm margins of 1.0, 0.5, and 0 cm, PCNA indices were 8.62%, 17.76% and 50.32% and DNA indices were 0.98, 1.082 and 1.436 respectively. There is a significant difference between 1.0, 0.5 and 0 cm. CONCLUSION: Moderate and severe atypical hyperplasia of epithelium (AHE) was different from mild AHE and simple hyperplasia of epithelium in the biologic behavior of fission, proliferation and so on and surgical margins should be kept outside the area of moderate AHE.

Adult↗

[Effects of some mexiletine derivatives on alpha 1-adrenoceptors].

Using [3H]-WB 4101 binding assay in rat cerebral cortex membranes, effects of 18 mexiletine derivatives on alpha 1-adrenoceptors were studied in order to find new antihypertensive alpha 1 receptor blocking agents. The results showed that 6 of them showed significant affinities to alpha 1-adrenoceptors in rat cerebral cortex membranes. Some structure-activity relationship were found, among them only the compounds with chiral carbon showed high affinity to alpha 1-adrenoceptor. The affinity of compound M-85001 (pKi = 6.51) was shown to be higher than that of tolazoline. In the rat anococcygeal muscle, compound M-85001 competitively antagonized phenylephrine-induced contraction with pA2 value of 6.86 which is similar to its pKi value in the binding assay. These findings may be of significance in the search for novel class of alpha 1 receptor antagonists.

Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists↗

[Nuclease P1 production by immobilized Penicillium citrinum cells].

Mycelia of Penicillium citrinum were adsorbed and immobilized efficiently within porous polyurethane. Nuclease P1 produced by the immobilized cells were studied in shaking flasks. The suitable glucose and peptone contents in medium were 10 g/L and 1 g/L, respectively. And the shaking speed was 180-200 r/min. After 48 h fermentation, the nuclease P1 activity reached 513.3 U/ml, the productivity was 3.6 times higher than that of the free cells. The production cost is obviously reduced. In repeated batch fermentation, the immobilized cells kept the capacity after 28 batches for 56 days with an average nuclease P1 activity of 507.4 U/ml.

Cells, Immobilized↗

[Saccharification of corn stover by immobilized Trichoderma reesei cells].

The mycelia of Trichoderma reesei Rut C30 were adsorbed and immobilized within the porous polyurethane supporter. It was found that the synthesis of cellulase by the immobilized cells and the enzymatic hydrolysis of corn stover were able to be carried out in a nitrogen source-limiting medium. Under repeated batch processes with 60 g/L corn stover pretreated by 2% NaOH at 85 degrees C, the average cellulase activity (FPA) was 0.70 IU/ml, the concentration and yield of the reducing sugar were 26.41 g/L and 89.11% respectively after shaking culture at 150 r/min, 30 degrees C, pH 4.8 for 108 h. Total of 12 repeated batches were performed in 54 days. The immobilized cells kept the weight around 10 g/L. The fed-batch process was also studied with the same immobilized cells. Total of 120 g/L corn stover was added in different feeding manners. The reducing sugar of 52.8 g/L was produced after 7 days and the saccharification efficiency (89.2%) was almost the same as the batch process. The results indicated that the cellulase production and cellulosic material saccharification in situs by the immobilized Trichoderma reesei cells is an convenient and effective process for conversion and utilization of renewable biomass.

Cells, Immobilized↗

Sinusoidal intercellular adhesion molecule-1 up-regulation precedes the accumulation of leukocyte function antigen-1-positive cells and tissue necrosis in a model of carbontetrachloride-induced acute rat liver injury.

The mechanisms leading to the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the liver and to liver cell necrosis remain undefined. To elucidate this process, the present work analyzes the kinetics of the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and the accumulation of inflammatory leukocyte function antigen-1 (LFA-1)-positive cells in relation to the appearance of hepatocellular necrosis in the model of acute carbontetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury. ICAM-1- and LFA-1-immunoreactivity was analyzed in normal livers and in livers obtained 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 48, and 72 hours after CCl4-administration, as well as in liver cells isolated 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 hours after CCl4-administration. Total RNA extracted from livers and cells was used for Northern blot analysis. ICAM-1-positivity, which was detected along the sinusoids in normal rat livers, increased 3 to 6 hours after CCl4-administration and finally accumulated in the necrotic areas (24 to 48 hours post-administration). ICAM-1 steady-state mRNA levels in liver tissue increased 3 to 6 hours after CCl4-treatment and returned to normal levels at 48 hours after treatment. Increased amounts of ICAM-1-specific transcripts could be observed in isolated sinusoidal endothelial cells and in hepatocytes as early as 3 to 6 hours after CCl4-administration. In normal rat livers, a few LFA-1-immunoreactive cells were present around the vessel walls. Starting 12 hours after CCl4-administration, the number of LFA-1-immunoreactive cells increased around the vessel walls and along the sinusoids, accumulating later in the necrotic areas. In accordance, the number of mononuclear phagocytes isolated from the liver increased 12 hours after CCl4-treatment. These data demonstrate an early up-regulation of ICAM-1 in liver cells and the accumulation of LFA-1-expressing cells prior to the development of necrotic areas. The up-regulation of ICAM-1 and accumulation of inflammatory cells seem to be critical for the induction of CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity.

Acute Disease↗

Activation of latent HIV-1 by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and its purified protein derivative in alveolar macrophages from HIV-infected individuals in vitro.

Although Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and its purified protein derivative (PPD) induce HIV in cell lines that harbor latent HIV infection, it is not known whether similar activation of HIV in primary macrophages infected with HIV occurs. This possibility was examined using alveolar macrophages (AM) obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage of HIV-infected subjects with CD4 counts <200/microl. PPD induced transcription of HIV in AM from HIV-infected subjects by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). PPD and MTB infection also induced HIV production in AM from these HIV-infected patients, determined by HIV p24 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Viral production in AM required short periods of cell contact with allogeneic lymphocytes. HIV was only inducible, however, in AM from subjects with detectable HIV load (one to three copies of HIV DNA/1000 cells). Thus, MTB and its PPD can induce HIV in latently infected AM.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

CaN19 expression in benign and malignant hyperplasias of the skin and oral mucosa: evidence for a role in regenerative differentiation.

CaN19, a member of the S100 family of calcium-binding proteins, is known to be "underexpressed" in cultured breast carcinoma-derived cell lines relative to their normal counterparts. By Northern blotting, we confirm these results and find that CaN19 is also markedly "underexpressed" in several carcinoma-derived cell lines of the skin, oral mucosa, and urogenital tract. However, exceptions to the inverse correlation between CaN19 expression and malignancy have been identified, bringing into question the hypothesis that CaN19 functions as a tumor suppressor gene. Unexpectedly, CaN19 mRNA was strongly expressed in bulk specimens of basal and squamous cell carcinomas of the skin and oral cavity. However, in situ hybridization revealed only limited CaN19 expression in tumor cells themselves; the bulk of expression is localized to hyperplastic perilesional epidermis. Tumor cell expression of CaN19 was similar in primary and locally metastatic tumors, indicating that this gene is not necessarily down-regulated during tumor progression. Coordinate overexpression of CaN19 and the "hyperproliferalive" keratin K6a was observed only in tissues undergoing squamous differentiation. Taken together with other recent results from our laboratory, these findings suggest the hypothesis that CaN19 participates in an epidermal growth factor receptor-dependent pathway of regenerative squamous differentiation.

Basal Cell Carcinoma↗