A rare point mutation in the Ras oncogene in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

The Ras gene is one of the oncogenes most frequently detected in human cancers, and codes for three proteins (K-, N-, and H-Ras). The aim of this study was to examine the mutations in codons 12, 13 and 61 of the three Ras genes in cases of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS:

Paired samples of HCC and corresponding non-malignant liver tissue were collected from 61 patients who underwent hepatectomy. A dot-blot analysis was used to analyze the products of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of codons 12, 13, and 61 of K-, N- and H-Ras for mutations.

RESULTS:

Only one mutation (K-Ras codon 13; Gly to Asp) was detected among the 61 patients. Interestingly, this patient had a medical history of surgery for both gastric cancer and right lung cancer. No mutations were found in codons 12 and 61 of K-Ras or codons 12, 13 and 61 of the N-Ras and H-Ras genes in any of the HCCs or corresponding non-malignant tissues.

CONCLUSIONS:

These findings indicated that the activation of Ras proto-oncogenes by mutations in codons 12, 13, and 61 does not play a major role in hepatocellular carcinogenesis.

• Authors: Akinobu Taketomi, Ken Shirabe, Jun Muto, Shohei Yoshiya, Takashi Motomura, Yohei Mano, Tohru Ikegami, Tomoharu Yoshizumi, Kenji Sugio, Yoshihiko Maehara
• Journal: Surgery today (Surg Today) Vol. 43 Issue 3 Pg. 289-92 (Mar 2013) ISSN: 1436-2813 [Electronic] Japan
• PMID: 23266750 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Codon
• DNA, Neoplasm

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Carcinoma, Hepatocellular (genetics)
• Codon
• DNA, Neoplasm (genetics)
• Female
• Genes, ras (genetics)
• Humans
• Liver Neoplasms (genetics)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Point Mutation
• Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Retrospective Studies