Gastrin stimulates receptor-mediated proliferation of human esophageal adenocarcinoma cells

The prevalence of esophageal adenocarcinoma in the setting of Barrett's metaplasia continues to increase in Western nations at a rate greater than any other cancer. The trophic properties of gastrin have been documented in gastric, pancreatic and colon cancer cell lines, suggesting a potential role for this regulatory peptide in the growth of these malignancies. The aims of these studies were to identify and characterize the presence of functional cholecystokinin type-2 (gastrin) receptors on the membranes of human esophageal adenocarcinoma cells. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) demonstrated the presence of cholecystokinin type-2 receptor transcripts in human esophageal adenocarcinoma cell lines. Competitive binding assays revealed specific binding of gastrin in SEG-1 cells (IC 50 of 2.4×10 −8 M). This finding was confirmed by laser scanning confocal microscopy through internalization of rhodamine green labeled gastrin heptapeptide in SEG-1 cells. Gastrin caused a dose-dependent increase in proliferation of SEG-1 cells when compared to controls. This effect was abolished by co-incubation with L365,260, a CCK-2-specific receptor antagonist. Gastrin-induced phosphorylation of the p44 and p42 mitogen-activated protein kinases was demonstrated by Western blot analysis. In conclusion, the studied human esophageal adenocarcinoma cell lines possess cholecystokinin type-2 (gastrin) receptors. Receptors bind gastrin, resulting in increased proliferation in SEG-1 cells.