Expression of the Grb2-related RET adapter protein Grap-2 in human medullary thyroid carcinoma

Cancer Lett. 2009 Mar 18;275(2):194-7. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2008.10.010. Epub 2008 Nov 21.

Abstract

Inappropriate signaling of the RET receptor tyrosine kinase causes different forms of human thyroid malignancy. We have previously identified the adaptor Grap-2 as RET binding protein. To verify involvement of Grap-2 in RET oncogenic signaling we performed sequence and expression analysis of Grap-2 in 15 human MTC samples. All tumors displayed marked Grap-2 mRNA and protein expression without a linear correlation. Beyond one conservative base pair substitution we detected no further alteration in genomic Grap-2 sequence. Consistent Grap-2 expression suggests a specific role for this adaptor in human MTC, while qualitative alterations do not appear to influence RET signaling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism*
  • Base Sequence
  • Carcinoma, Medullary / genetics*
  • DNA Primers
  • Humans
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Signal Transduction
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / genetics*

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • DNA Primers
  • GRAP2 protein, human
  • RNA, Messenger