Characterization of C4-2 as a tumor-suppressor gene in human brain tumors

Background Brain tumors claimed the lives of 13,300 people in 1995. Our objective was to isolate and characterize unique tumor‐suppressor genes from human brain tumors derived from patients in the United States. Methods Differential display‐polymerase chain reaction was used to isolate tumor suppressor genes. Results Clone C4‐2 was isolated and is expressed in normal adult human brain, but not in brain tissue from glioblastoma multiforme tumors. C4‐2 has 66% homology to the previously isolated ARPP‐16 (cAMP‐regulated phosphoprotein of Mr = 16,000) based on limited sequencing. C4‐2 is expressed at high levels in normal brain and is not expressed or expressed at low levels in several brain tumor cell lines. Expression of C4‐2 was also either not expressed or expressed at low levels in meningioma, B‐cell lymphoma, recurrent glioma, LNCAP (prostate tumor cell line), breast tumor, or prostate tumor tissue. Conclusion We conclude that C4‐2 may function as a potential tumor‐suppressor gene. J. Surg. Oncol. 64:102–108 © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.