Immunohistochemical analysis of beta3 integrin (CD61): expression in pig tissues and human tumors

CD61 is a membrane glycoprotein that associates with CD41 (alphaIIb) to form the heterodimeric complex gpIIb/IIIa (CD41/CD61), predominantly expressed in platelets and megakariocytes. CD61 or beta3 integrin also associates with alpha v (CD51) to form the vitronectin receptor, which is expressed in many tissues. We have used a monoclonal antibody against the porcine gpIIIa or CD61 (JM2E5) to study the distribution of this molecule in different normal pig tissues. As in humans, CD61 was broadly expressed in all tissues examined. In the kidney, strong expression of CD61 was observed in epithelial cells from renal tubules. In the testis, CD61 expression was detected in the Leydig cells. However, in liver, CD61 was weak or not detected. Many integrins are particularly involved in tumogenicity and in tumor progression mediating cell-cell interaction. Immunofluorescence experiments using cultured human tumor HeLa cells showed nuclear and cytoplasmic staining of mAb JM2E5. Immunohistochemical analysis of human tumor sections from several organs showed a heterogeneus distribution in metastatic cases from colon and breast carcinoma. However, no staining was found in metastasis from melanoma.     

Enhancer and promoter element interactions dictate cyclic adenosine monophosphate mediated and cell-specific expression of the glycoprotein hormone alpha-gene

The glycoprotein hormone alpha-gene is preferentially expressed in placental cell lines, but it is also expressed in several other cell lines indicating that the differential activity of the alpha-gene regulatory elements in various cell types is more quantitative than qualitative. The 5'-flanking region of the alpha-gene contains several distinct DNA regulatory sequences including an upstream regulatory element [(URE) -181 to -150 base pairs (bp)] that stimulates basal expression and an 18 bp twice-repeated cAMP-responsive element [(CRE) -146 to -111 bp]. We constructed an array of fusion genes containing the URE and/or the CRE linked to different truncated promoters [alpha-gene, somatostatin (SRIF), glucagon, Simian Virus 40]. These constructions were transiently expressed in placental, fibroblast, or islet cell lines to identify regulatory sequences involved in cell-specific expression as well as interactions between the URE, the CRE, and different promoter elements. The URE, CRE, and alpha-promoter elements contribute approximately 3-, 6-, and 5-fold, respectively, to preferential expression in JEG-3 cells. In JEG-3 cells, the URE is strictly dependent on the CRE for activity, but it functions in a promoter-independent manner. In contrast, the CRE is markedly promoter dependent. When linked to heterologous enhancers, the alpha-promoter is more active in JEG-3 cells than in other cell lines, thereby contributing substantially to preferential expression in placental cells. Although the CREs derived from the alpha and SRIF genes both activate expression of the alpha promoter, only the alpha CRE activates the SRIF promoter in JEG-3 cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)