ANALYSIS OF INTEGRIN MESSENGER-RNA IN HUMAN AND RODENT TUMOR-CELLS

Several human and rodent tumor cell lines were examined for the presence of integrin mRNAs by dot- and Northern- blot analysis. All tumor cells tested expressed mRNAs for α5, αIIb, β1 and β3. The mRNA of β2 integrin was not detectable and that of αv integrin was found only in certain cells. Northern blotting was carried out in three selected tumor cell lines: Clone A, HEL and B16a. An apparent difference in the mRNA species coding for the αIIbβ3 integrin, but not for α5 and β1, was found. Our result suggests that alternative splicing of integrin genes may be one of the important mechanisms in regulating αIIbβ3 expression and function in different tumor cells. © 1991.