SAGE analysis of neuroblastoma reveals a high expression of the human homologue of the Drosophila Delta gene

Med Pediatr Oncol. 2000 Dec;35(6):554-8. doi: 10.1002/1096-911x(20001201)35:6<554::aid-mpo13>3.0.co;2-r.

Abstract

Background: Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE) is an efficient method to establish a complete mRNA expression profile of a tissue.

Procedure: We applied SAGE to identify expression of developmental control genes in neuroblastoma. Results. The human homologue of the Drosophila Delta gene Delta like-1 (DLK1) was shown to have an unusually high expression in a SAGE library of the SK-N-FI neuroblastoma cell line. Northern blot analysis confirmed high DLK1 expression in SK-N-FI and several other neuroblastoma cell lines. Signalling between Delta and its receptor Notch controls many differentiation steps in Drosophila and man, including neural crest cell fate decision.

Conclusions: Our data therefore suggest a role for the Delta-Notch pathway in neuroblast differentiation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Drosophila / genetics*
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Neuroblastoma / genetics*
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • E(spl)mdelta-HLH protein, Drosophila
  • Repressor Proteins