Alterations of the p16INK4a/p14ARF pathway in clear cell sarcoma

Clear cell sarcoma (CCS) is a very rare soft tissue sarcoma with a poor prognosis. It has become apparent through immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, and microarray analyses that CCS is a soft tissue melanocytic neoplasm. Alterations in the p16INK4a/p14ARF gene are common in malignant melanoma, which is the prototypical melanocytic neoplasm. In the present study, we performed a clinicopathologic analysis and investigated p16 and cyclin D1 expression by immunohistochemistry in 14 cases. Furthermore, we investigated genetic changes of various tumor suppressor genes and an oncogene, including p16INK4a/p14ARF, p53, beta-catenin, and APC, in 11 cases. The 5-year overall survival rate in all the patients was 33.3%. A high mitotic rate was a significant adverse prognostic factor (P = 0.004). Decreased expression of p16 was observed in 4 (28.6%) of 14 cases. Overexpression of cyclin D1 was observed in 9 cases (64.3%). SSCP analysis followed by DNA direct sequencing revealed point mutations of the p16INK4a gene in 2 of 11 cases (18.2%). In addition, one case with the p14ARF mutation and 2 cases with the p53 mutation were observed. None of the cases harbored mutation of the beta-catenin or APC gene. Homozygous deletion of the p16INK4a/p14ARF gene was detected in one case. Methylation-specific PCR did not reveal hypermethylation of the p16INK4a/p14ARF promoter region in any of the cases. Three cases harbored genetic alterations of the p16INK4a/p14ARF gene (27.3%). All tumors with genetic alterations of the p16INK4a/p14ARF or p53 gene showed a high mitotic rate or tumor necrosis. These alterations were considered to be influential in the poor prognosis of CCS patients.     

Aberrations of the p14(ARF) and p16(INK4a) genes in renal cell carcinomas.

The INK4a / ARF locus on chromosome 9p21, which encodes two distinct genes, p14(ARF) and p16(INK4a), is frequently altered in human neoplasms. To investigate the potential roles of p14(ARF) and p16(INK4a) genes in human renal cell carcinomas (RCCs), we analyzed 6 human RCC cell lines and 91 primary RCCs for homozygous deletion, promoter hypermethylation and expression of the p14(ARF) and p16(INK4a) gene products using differential PCR, methylation-specific PCR, and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Five cell lines showed homozygous co-deletion of both genes and one demonstrated promoter hypermethylation of the p16(INK4a) gene only. Eight of 91 RCCs showed aberrations of p14(ARF) or p16(INK4a) status and six of these featured gross extension into the renal vein. The results suggest that p14(ARF) and p16(INK4a) aberrations may play roles in the relatively late stage of renal tumorigenesis associated with tumor progression.     

Aberrations of p16INK4A,p14ARF and p15INK4B genes in pediatric solid tumors

Expression of the p16INK4A (p16), p15INK4B (p15), and p14ARF genes, located at 9p21, was examined in pediatric neuroblastoma (NB), Ewing's sarcoma (ES), and rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). p16 expression was absent in 4 of 5 ESs, and 2 of these 4 cases died. p16 expression was reduced or absent in 10 of 12 RMSs, and 4 of these 10 cases died. These results suggested the possibility that p16 expression was associated with the progression of ES and RMS. There has been no previous report on p14ARF in NB. Our investigation might indicate that abnormal expression of the p16 and p14ARF was associated with a poor prognosis in NB, although in some cases of NB normal p16 and abnormal p14ARF expression was seen. These findings suggest an important role of p14ARF gene in the tumorigenesis of NB. The different incidence of expression of the p16, p15, and p14ARF genes in these 3 tumor types may reflect differences of the molecular process through which the 3 tumors develop. Our results suggest that abnormal expression of the p16 and/or p14ARF may be associated with a poor prognosis in these 3 tumors.     

p14ARF, p15INK4b and p16INK4a methylation status in chronic myelogenous leukemia

The INK4 family of proteins p15^INK4b, p14^ARF and p16^INK4a function as cell cycle inhibitors where they are involved in the inhibition of G1 phase progression. Methylation of the p15^INK4b promoter never seems to occur in solid tumors but is a major gene silencing mechanism in hematological malignancies. p14^ARF and p16^INK4a promoter methylation often occurs in solid tumors but also in leukemias and lymphomas. In chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), only a few reports have been published regarding INK4 methylation and the results of the literature are discordant. Thus clearly, more works on large series have to be performed independently.     

Alterations of p16(INK4a) and p14(ARF) in patients with severe oral epithelial dysplasia

A number of genetic aberrations have been reported in end-stage squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, including p16(INK4a) and p14(ARF) (INK4a/ARF) inactivation rates of 70-85%. Still, the cell cycle-regulatory genes p16(INK4a) and p14(ARF) remain poorly understood in oral cavity premalignant lesions. This study evaluated INK4a/ARF locus alterations in 26 patients (28 samples) deemed to be at increased risk for malignant transformation to squamous cell carcinoma due to the diagnosis of severe oral epithelial dysplasia. Microscopically confirmed dysplastic oral epithelium and matching normal tissue were laser capture-microdissected from paraffin sections, DNA was isolated, and molecular techniques were used to evaluate p16(INK4a) and p14(ARF) gene deletion, mutation, loss of heterozygosity (LOH), and hypermethylation events. Deletion of exon 1beta, 1alpha, or 2 was detected in 3.8%, 11.5%, and 7.7% of patients, respectively. INK4a and ARF mutations were detected in 15.4% and 11.5% of patients with severe dysplasia of the oral epithelium. All identified mutations occurred in the INK4a/ARF conserved exon 2. Allelic imbalance was assessed using three markers previously reported to show high LOH rates in head and neck tumors. LOH was found in 42.1%, 35.0%, and 82.4% of patients for the markers IFNalpha, D9S1748, and D9S171, respectively. Hypermethylation of p16(INK4a) and p14(ARF) was detected in 57.7% and 3.8% of patients, respectively, using nested, two-stage methylation-specific PCR. The highest rates of p16(INK4a) hypermethylation occurred in lesions of the tongue and floor of the mouth. In addition, p16(INK4a) hypermethylation was significantly linked to LOH in two or more markers. These data support that INK4a/ARF locus alterations are frequent events preceding the development of oral cancer and that p16(INK4a) inactivation occurs to a greater extent in oral dysplasia than does p14(ARF) inactivation.     

Differential roles of p16INK4A and p14ARF genes in prognosis of oral carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Oral cancer patients are found to have poor clinical outcome and high disease recurrence rate, in spite of an aggressive treatment regimen. The inactivation of INK4A/ARF loci is reported to be second to p53 inactivation in human cancers. The purpose of this study was to assess the prognostic significance of the molecular aberrations in the INK4A locus for effective identification of aggressive oral carcinoma cases needing alternate therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study composed of 116 patients freshly diagnosed with oral carcinoma. The genetic and epigenetic status of the p16(INK4A) and p14(ARF) genes was evaluated. The relation between these genic alterations and different treatment end points, such as residual disease (initial response), disease recurrence, and overall survival, along with the standard clinical markers, were analyzed. RESULTS: 62% of the study cases had p16(INK4A) gene abnormalities, with deletion accounting for 33% and methylation for 29%. Alterations in p14(ARF) gene either by deletion (12%) and/or methylation (18%) were observed in 30% of the cases. p16(INK4A) deletion was associated with aggressive tumors, as evidenced by the nodal involvement of the disease. Low or absence of p16(INK4A) protein adversely affected the initial treatment response. Promoter methylation of p16(INK4A) was associated with increased disease recurrence and acts as an independent predictor for worse prognosis. Surprisingly, p14(ARF) methylation associated with lower recurrence rate in oral cancer patients with a good clinical outcome. Overall survival of these patients was associated with tumor size, nodal disease, and p16(INK4A) protein expression pattern. Our results indicate that p16(INK4A) and p14(ARF) alterations constitute a major molecular abnormality in oral cancer cases. CONCLUSION: The molecular profile of INK4A/ARF locus, both at DNA and protein level, could be used as a prognostic biomarker for assessing the aggressiveness of disease in oral carcinoma patients. The study further shows the opposing clinical effect of these two genes, transcribed from the same locus, in oral cancer patients.     

Mechanisms of inactivation of p14ARF, p15INK4b, and p16INK4a genes in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

The 9p21 gene cluster, harboring growth suppressive genes p14ARF, p15INK4b, and p16INK4a, is one of the major aberration hotspots in human cancers. It was shown that p14ARF and p16INK4a play active roles in the p53 and Rb tumor suppressive pathways, respectively, and p15INK4b is a mediator of the extracellular growth inhibition signals. To elucidate specific targets and aberrations affecting this subchromosomal region, we constructed a detailed alteration map of the 9p21 gene cluster by analyzing homozygous deletion, hypermethylation, and mutation of the p14ARF, p15INK4b, and p16INK4a genes individually in 40 esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs) and compared the genetic alterations with mRNA expression in 18 of these samples. We detected aberrant promoter methylation of the p16INK4a gene in 16 (40%), of p14ARF in 6 (15%), and of p15INK4b in 5 (12.5%) tumor samples. Most p16INK4a methylations were exclusive, whereas all but one of the p14ARF/p15INK4b methylations were accompanied by concomitant p16INK4a methylation. We detected homozygous deletion of p16INK4a in 7 (17.5%), of p14ARF-E1beta in 13 (33%), and of p15INK4b in 16 (40%) tumor samples. Most deletions occurred exclusively on the E1beta-p15INK4b loci. Two samples contained p14ARF deletion but with p16INK4a and p15INK4b intact. No mutation was detected in the p14ARF and p16INK4a genes. Comparative RT-PCR showed good concordance between suppressed mRNA expression and genetic alteration for p15INK4b and p16INK4a genes in the 18 frozen samples, whereas 5 of the 13 cases with suppressed p14ARF mRNA expression contained no detectable E1beta alteration but aberrations in the p16INK4a locus. Our results show that in human ESCCs, p14ARF is a primary target of homozygous deletion along with p15INK4b, whereas p16INK4a is the hotspot of hypermethylation of the 9p21 gene cluster. The frequent inactivation of the p14ARF and p16INK4a genes may be an important mechanism for the dysfunction of both the Rb and p53 growth regulation pathways during ESCC development.     

Methylation status of p14ARF and p16INK4a as detected in pancreatic secretions

The clinical management of pancreatic disease is often hampered by a lack of tissue diagnosis. Endoscopic pancreatography offers the opportunity to investigate exfoliated cells. However, the significance of mere cytological investigation is compromised by an insufficient sensitivity. The evaluation of the molecular background of carcinogenesis hopefully is capable of providing more sensitive diagnostic markers. The p16INK4a-/retinoblastoma tumour-suppressive pathway has been shown to be involved in the development of near to all pancreatic neoplasms. p14ARF is another tumour suppressor located in the immediate neighbourhood of p16INK4a. Promoter methylation has been demonstrated to be a major inactivating mechanism of both genes. We sought to further evaluate the role of the gene locus INK4a methylation status in the endoscopic differentiation of chronic inflammatory and neoplastic pancreatic disease. Pancreatic fluid specimens of 61 patients with either pancreatic carcinoma (PCA: 39), chronic pancreatitis (CP: 16) or a normal pancreatogram (NAD: 6) were retrieved. In order to detect methylation of either the p14ARF or the p16INK4a promoter a methylation-specific PCR protocol was applied. While 19 out of 39 patients with PCA showed p16 promoter methylation (49%), none of the 16 patients with CP revealed p16 promoter methylation. p14ARF methylation was found in a lower percentage of PCA specimens and in none of the samples of patients with CP. These results suggest a specific significance of INK4a for the development of malignant pancreatic disease. Our data further indicate a potential role for INK4a methylation as a diagnostic marker in the endoscopic differentiation of benign and malignant pancreatic disease.     

Inactivation of the p14(ARF), p15(INK4B) and p16(INK4A) genes is a frequent event in human oral squamous cell carcinomas.

The p14(ARF), p15(INK4B) and p16(INK4A) genes were localized to 9p21, where genetic alterations have been reported frequently in various human tumors. We performed a molecular analysis of the mechanism of inactivation in cell lines and 32 oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), using deletion screening, PCR-SSCP, methylation-specific-PCR and cycle sequencing. We detected homozygous deletion of p14(ARF)-1Ebeta in 9 (26.5%), of p15(INK4B) in one (3.1%), and of p16(INK4A) in 22 (56.3%) tumor samples. Three mutations were detected in the p16(INK4A) genes. We detected aberrant methylation of the p14(ARF) genes in 14 (43.8%), of the p15(INK4B) gene in 9 (28.1%), and of the p16(INK4A) gene in 16 (50.0%) tumor samples. Altogether, 87.5% of the samples harbored at least one of the alterations in the p14(ARF), p15(INK4B), and p16(INK4A) genes, indicating that the frequent inactivation of these genes may be an important mechanism during OSCC development.     

Frequency of Genetic and Epigenetic Alterations of p14ARF and p16INK4A in Head and Neck Cancer in a Hungarian Population

Occurrence of genetic and epigenetic alterations affecting p14ARF and p16INK4A were investigated in tumour samples of 37 oral (OSCC) and 28 laryngeal squamous cell cancer (LSCC) patients, and compared to exfoliated buccal epithelial cells of 68 healthy controls. Presence of deletions and mutations/polymorphisms affecting exons were examined using sequencing. Methylation status of promoters was assessed by methylation-specific PCR. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were used to compare frequency of events. Exon deletions were found in four controls, one OSCC and 22 LSCC patients; the latter significantly differed from controls (p?p?=?0.043 and p?=?0.001, respectively) compared to the control group. In summary, exon deletion may be important in LSCC, while promoter methylation was relatively frequent in both patient groups.     

Mutation profile of the p53, fhit, p16INK4a/p19ARF and H-ras genes in Indian breast carcinomas

Breast cancer is the second most prevalent cancer affecting Indian women. Genetic alterations of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes were attributed to the development of breast carcinomas. In the present study, human breast tumor DNAs from untreated, non-familial, Indian patients were analysed for the presence of mutations in p53, fhit, p16INK4a/p19ARF and H-ras genes. Polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism and sequencing analysis were used to detect point mutations. Exons 5-8 of p53, exons 1-2 of p16INK4a, exon 2 of p19ARF, exons 5-9 of fhit gene and exons 1-2 of H-ras genes were amplified and analysed individually using exon-flanking primers. Only 12% of the tumors had mutation in p53, 8% had mutation in fhit gene and none of the tumors showed evidence for mutation in p16INK4a/p19ARF and H-ras genes. Tumor B18 exhibited two novel mutations in the p53 gene, ATGright curved arrow GTG (Metright curved arrow Val) at codon 237 and AATright curved arrow GAT (Asnright curved arrow Asp) at codon 263. Both of these mutations are hitherto unreported in breast carcinomas. Tumor B20 had a non-sense mutation CGAright curved arrow TGA (Argright curved arrow Stop) at codon 306 of p53 gene. In fhit gene, tumor B1 exhibited TTCTright curved arrow TACT mutation at intron 8 and tumor B15 had a silent mutation GAGright curved arrow GAA (Gluright curved arrow Glu) at codon 123. Our results indicate that, among the genes analysed, the p53 gene was more frequently mutated than fhit, p16INK4a/p19ARF and H-ras genes in Indian mammary tumors. Transcribable point mutations of fhit gene were found to be extremely uncommon in these tumors. Mutations in the above genes are mutually exclusive and are infrequent in fhit, p16INK4a/p19ARF and H-ras genes suggesting that these genes may not play a major role in Indian breast carcinomas. However, the significant frequency of mutations in the p53 gene suggest that p53 could be one of the genes involved in the genesis of sporadic breast carcinomas in Indian women.     

Conspirators in a capital crime: co-deletion of p18INK4c and p16INK4a/p14ARF/p15INK4b in glioblastoma multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most dreaded cancer diagnoses due to its poor prognosis and the limited treatment options. Homozygous deletion of the p16(INK4a)/p14(ARF)/p15(INK4b) locus is among the most common genetic alterations in GBM. Two recent studies have shown that deletion and mutation of another INK4 family member, p18(INK4c), also drives the pathogenesis of GBM. This minireview will discuss the known roles for p18(INK4c) in the initiation and progression of cancer and suggest opportunities for future studies.     

Mutational analysis of N-ras, p53, p16INK4a, p14ARF and CDK4 genes in primary human malignant mesotheliomas

Nineteen specimens from primary human malignant mesotheliomas obtained from 19 patients were screened for activating point mutations in the oncogenes N-ras and CDK4 by combined RFLP-PCR/SSCP analysis. In addition, all tumours were screened for deletions and point mutations in the tumour suppressor genes p53, p16INK4a (CDKN2A) and p14ARF (exon-1beta) by combined multiplex-PCR/SSCP analysis. No mutations were found in N-ras, p53 and CDK4. Three tumours displayed homozygous deletion (co-deletion of exons 1, 2 and 3) of p16INK4a. One of them displayed additional homozygous deletion of p14ARF (exon-1beta). Two silent point mutations and 2 polymorphisms were found in p16INK4a in 3 tumours. Our preliminary data indicate that disarrangement of the Rb1 pathway may be involved in mesothelioma formation.     

非小细胞肺癌中P14ARF与P16INK4a和p53蛋白表达及其相互关系的研究

目的:检测p14ARF、p16INK4a和p53蛋白在非小细胞肺癌中表达情况,对它们在非小细胞肺癌发生过程中的作用及其相互关系进行初步探讨方法:应用免疫组化方法检测了40例非小细胞肺癌组织标本的p14AHF、p16INK4a和p53基因的表达水平.结果:非小细胞肺癌组织中p14ARF、p16INK4a和p53蛋白总阳性率分别是72.5%,50.0%和52 5%,与癌旁正常组织(分别是95.0%,92.5%,2.5%)有显著性差异(P＜0.01);非小细胞肺癌中p14ARF和p53蛋白表达异常与肿瘤分期、组织类型、分化程度、淋巴结转移情况无显著相关性;p16INK4a蛋白表达水平与组织分化程度相关(P＜0.05),但与肿瘤分期、组织类型、淋巴结转移情况无关;p14ARF和p53蛋白在组织中表达呈负相关,r2=-0.475(P＜0.0),而p14ARF和p16INK4a蛋白表达无关;p14ARF蛋白在Ⅰ期病例中强阳性( )占阳性比例为41.7%,在Ⅲ期中强阳性( )比例为10.0%.结论:p14ARF、p16INK4a和p53三个基因在NSCLC发生过程中起重要作用,特别在肿瘤早期可能起到更为重要的作用;p14ARF和p53基因在同一调节通路上;p14ARF、p16INK4a和p53蛋白可以作为非小细胞肺癌早期生物学检测指标.     

The prognostic significance of p16INK4a/p14ARF and p15INK4b deletions in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Cytogenetic/molecular abnormalities significantly influence the prognosis of patients with acute leukemia. Recently, two genes, p16INK4a and p15INK4b, encoding two cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor proteins of the INK4 family of Mr 15,000 and 16,000, respectively, have been localized to 9p21. Remarkably, the p16INK4a locus has been found to encode a second protein, p14ARF, known as p19ARF in mice, with a distinct reading frame. Like p16INK4a, p14ARF is involved in cell cycle regulation, blocking cells at the G1 restriction point through the activity of MDM-2 and p53. We studied bone marrow samples of 42 newly diagnosed and untreated patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia for the incidence of deletions of p16INK4a/p14ARF and p15INK4b using Southern blot analysis and determined the clinical outcome with regard to complete remission (CR) duration, event-free survival, and overall survival. We found deletions of p16INK4a/p14ARF in 17 of 42 patients (40%), with homozygous deletions in 11 of 42 patients (26%) and hemizygous deletions in 6 of 42 patients (14%). The gene for p15INK4b was codeleted in most, but not all, cases and was never deleted without deletion of p16INK4a/ p14ARF. No correlation was observed between molecular studies and karyotype abnormalities as determined by conventional cytogenetics. Furthermore, no difference was found in the CR rate, CR duration, event-free survival, and overall survival in patients with homozygous gene deletions compared to patients with no deletions or loss of only one allele.     

High-density methylation of p14ARF and p16INK4A in Epstein-Barr virus-associated gastric carcinoma

Promoter hypermethylation of various tumor-related genes is extremely frequent in gastric carcinoma (GC) associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). To investigate the significance of the promoter methylation in this type of GC, we examined the methylation densities of the promoter regions of p14ARF and p16INK4A in EBV-associated (n=7) and EBV-negative (n=14) GC. Bisulfite sequencing demonstrated a high frequency of concurrent methylation of p14ARF and p16INK4A promoter regions in EBVaGC. Methylation was observed in all 29 CpG sites of p14ARF and all 16 sites of p16INK4A with equally high densities. In EBV-negative GC, the methylation profiles differed between the 2 genes. Promoter methylation was sporadic and variable in p14ARF, and only the last position of CpG in p14ARF was methylated at high frequency. High-density methylation in p16INK4A was observed in a subset of GC, but the first position of CpG was never methylated in EBV-negative GC. These findings suggest the presence of mechanisms of de novo and maintenance methylation specific to EBVaGC that might be associated with EBV infection.     

辐射诱发支气管癌变细胞中p14ARF、p16INK4a及BUB3基因甲基化分析

背景与目的 肿瘤抑制基因的甲基化是发生肿瘤的重要机理之一，本研究通过检测p14^ARF、p16^INK4a及BUB3基因在辐射诱发的人支气管上皮细胞癌变株中的甲基化情况，探讨辐射诱发癌变的机理。方法 用甲基特异性的PCR（MSP）分析基因启动子区CpG岛的甲基化情况，用RT-PCR检测细胞的基因转录水平及DNA纯化、转化、测序。结果p14^ARF基因在正常细胞中没有甲基化，但在其辐射诱发的癌变细胞中发生了甲基化。RT—PCR结果进一步显示p14^ARF基因的转录水平显著下降。与p14^ARF基因共用2个外显子的p16^INK4a基因则没有发生甲基化；BUB3基因在正常细胞及辐射诱发的癌变细胞中均没发生甲基化，并经测序证实。结论 在辐射诱发的人支气管上皮细胞恶性转化中，共用两个外显子、与细胞周期调节有关的两个基因p14^ARF与p16^INK4a。的甲基化不同步，甲基化的p14^ARF基因出现转录抑制，而与有丝分裂检测点相关的BUB3基因没有发生甲基化。     

Frequent alterations of the p14(ARF) and p16(INK4a) genes in primary central nervous system lymphomas

To elucidate the role of p53/p16(INK4a)/RB1 pathways in the tumorigenesis of primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSLs), we have analyzed p14(ARF), p16(INK4a), RB1, p21(Waf1), and p27(Kip1) status in a series of their 18 sporadic cases of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, using methylation-specific PCR, differential PCR, and immunohistochemistry. Homozygous deletion or methylation of p14(ARF) was detected in 10 (56%) PCNSLs, and they were almost entirely deletions (except 1 case). A total of 11 (61%) PCNSLs demonstrated homozygous deletion (6 cases) or methylation (5 cases) of p16(INK4a). Six tumors showed both p14(ARF) and p16(INK4a) homozygous deletions. Hypermethylation of the RB1 and the p27(Kip1) promoter region was detected in 2 (11%) cases, whereas p21(Waf1) methylation was not detected in any. Immunohistochemistry revealed loss of p14(ARF) and p16(INK4a) expression in 10 (56%) samples, correlating with the gene status. Four cases showed independent negative immunoreactivity for pRB and p27(Kip1), and nearly one-half of cases (8 of 18; 44%) were characterized by lack of p21(Waf1) expression. These results indicate that inactivation of p14(ARF) and p16(INK4a) by either homozygous deletion or promoter hypermethylation represents an important molecular pathogenesis in PCNSLs. Hypermethylation of RB1, p21(Waf1), and p27(Kip1) appears to be of minor significance, these genes being independently methylated in PCNSLs.     

肺癌p14ARF和p16INK4a基因协同表达缺失及其意义

目的：研究抑癌基因位点ＩＮＫ４ａ－ＡＲＦ在肺肿瘤细胞中的表达状况,揭示ｐ１４ＡＲＦ和ｐ１６ＩＮＫ４ａ协同表达缺失与肺癌发生发展的相关性。方法：用ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ和Ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎ ｂｌｏｔ对６株肺癌细胞（ＳＰＣ－Ａ－１,Ｃａｌｕ－１,Ｈ４４６,ＳＨ７７,Ａ５４９,Ｈ４６０）的ＩＮＫ－４ａ－ＡＲＦ基因位点在ｍＲＮＡ、蛋白水平上进行检测,对ＰＣＲ产物进行纯化和测序分析。结果：６株肺癌细胞中,有３株细胞（Ｈ４