A Tumor-Associated Fibronectin Isoform Generated by Alternative Splicing of Messenger RNA Precursors

Fibronectin (FN) represents the mixture of a number of structurally different molecules (isoforms) whose make-up varies depending on the FN sources. FN from cultured transformed human cells has a very different isoform composition with respect to its normal counterpart. In fact, SV-40-transformed WI...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of cell biology 1989-03, Vol.108 (3), p.1139-1148
Main Authors: Carnemolla, Barbara, Balza, Enrica, Siri, Annalisa, Zardi, Luciano, Nicotra, Maria Rita, Bigotti, Aldo, Natali, Pier Giorgio
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alternative splicing
Analytical, structural and metabolic biochemistry
Antibodies, Monoclonal
Biological and medical sciences
Biotechnology
Cell Line
Cell lines
Cells
Epitopes
Exons
Female
Fetus
Fetus - analysis
Fibroblasts
Fibronectins - analysis
Fibronectins - genetics
Fibronectins - immunology
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Glycoproteins
Health. Pharmaceutical industry
Humans
Immunoenzyme Techniques
Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects
Messenger RNA
Miscellaneous
Monoclonal antibodies
Myometrium - analysis
Neoplasms - analysis
Ovary - analysis
Production of active biomolecules
Protein isoforms
Proteins
RNA Precursors - genetics
RNA Splicing
Synovial Membrane - analysis
Tumor cell line
Tumors
Citations: Items that cite this one
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Description
Summary:Fibronectin (FN) represents the mixture of a number of structurally different molecules (isoforms) whose make-up varies depending on the FN sources. FN from cultured transformed human cells has a very different isoform composition with respect to its normal counterpart. In fact, SV-40-transformed WI-38VAI3 human fibroblasts produce high levels of a FN isoform (B-FN) which is very poorly expressed in their normal, WI-38, counterpart. We have recently demonstrated that the B-FN isoform derives from a differential splicing pattern of the FN primary transcript which leads, in transformed cells, to a high level expression of the exon ED-B. Here we report on the production and characterization of a monoclonal antibody (BC-1) which recognizes an epitope within the protein sequence coded for by the ED-B exon. This monoclonal antibody makes it possible to carry out immunohistochemical analysis of the distribution of the ED-B-containing FN isoform (B-FN) in human tissues. The results show that while in normal, adult, human tissues total FN has a widespread distribution, the B-FN isoform is restricted only to synovial cells, to some vessels and areas of the interstitium of the ovary, and to the myometrium. On the contrary, the B-FN isoform has a much greater expression in fetal and tumor tissues. These results demonstrate that, in vivo, different FN isoforms have a differential distribution and indicate that the B-FN isoform may play a role in ontogenesis and oncogenetic processes.
ISSN:0021-9525
1540-8140
DOI:10.1083/jcb.108.3.1139