Low Incidence of Point Mutation of c-Ki-ras and N-ras Oncogenes in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma

We examined the incidence of point mutation in codons 12, 13 and 61 of c-Ki- ras and N- ras genes in human hepatocellnlar carcinoma (HCC) using the polymerase chain reaction and oligonucleotide hybridization techniques. Among 34 tissue specimens surgically resected from 30 patients and 5 cell lines of human HCC, only two had ras point mutations; in one case, codon 12 of c-Ki- ras was altered from GGT, coding glycine, to GTT, coding valine; in the other case, codon 61 of N -ras was altered from CAA, coding glutamine, to AAA, coding lysine. Thus, point-mutational activation of ras oncogenes is an uncommon event in human HCC.     

Detection of ras gene mutations in human lung cancers by single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis of polymerase chain reaction products

A simple, sensitive method of DNA analysis of nucleotide substitutions, namely, single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis of polymerase chain reaction products (PCR-SSCP analysis), was used for detection of mutated ras genes in surgical specimens of human lung cancer. Of a total of 129 tumors analysed, 22 contained a mutated ras gene. Of the 66 adenocarcinomas analysed, 14 contained an activated c-Ki-ras2 gene (the mutations in codon 12 in 6, in codon 13 in 4, in codon 18 in one, and in codon 61 in 3), one contained a c-Ha-ras1 gene with a mutation in codon 61 and 3 contained N-ras genes with mutations (in codon 12 in one and in codon 61 in 2). Mutated rats genes were also found in 2 of 36 squamous cell carcinomas (c-Ha-ras1 genes with mutations in codon 61) and 2 of 14 large cell carcinomas (c-Ki-ras2 genes with mutations in codon 12). No mutation of the ras gene was detected in 8 small cell carcinomas and 5 adenosquamous cell carcinomas. These results indicate that activation of the ras gene was not frequent (17%) in human lung cancers, that among these lung cancers mutation of the ras gene was most frequent in adenocarcinomas (27%) and 73% of the point mutations were in the c-Ki-ras2 gene in codon 12, 13, 18 or 61.     

Activating mutations of ras family genes in prostatic-cancer

ras family genes (H-, K- and N-ras) encode for a 21 kD membrane protein which possesses GTPase activity and participates in a signal transduction pathway. Activating mutations of the ras family genes occur at codons 12, 13 and 61 and have been detected in a variety of human tumours, including colonic, bladder and pancreatic cancers. Prostatic cancer is among the most common malignancies throughout the world and a major cause of death from cancer in males. Data reported on the implication of the ras family genes in the development of the disease are conflicting. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of mutations at codon 12 of H-ras, codon 12 of K-ras and codon 61 of N-ras proto-oncogenes, in a Greek population with prostatic cancer. Our analysis revealed that 4 out of 20 (20%) samples harboured a K-ras codon 12 point mutation, 1 out of 20 (5%) specimens contained mutations at codon 12 of the H-ras and 1 out of 20 (5%) at codon 61 of the N-ras, indicating a role for the ras genes in the development of the disease.     

Glycine to aspartic acid mutations at codon 13 of the c-Ki-ras gene in human gastrointestinal cancers

Point mutations of c-ras genes were analyzed in human gastrointestinal cancers. DNA obtained from the tissues was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and then analyzed by dot blot hybridization assay with oligonucleotide probes to detect mutations at codons 12, 13, and 61 of c-Ki-ras, c-Ha-ras, and c-N-ras. In two of 25 cases of stomach cancer point mutations at codon 13 of c-Ki-ras were found. In colorectal cancer, eight of 30 cases showed mutations: four cases of codon 12 and one case at codon 13 of c-Ki-ras and two cases at codon 61 and one case at codon 13 of c-N-ras. These results may indicate involvement of a wide variety of c-ras gene point mutations, in addition to those at codon 12 of c-Ki-ras, in oncogenesis of human gastrointestinal cancers. In all three mutations of c-Ki-ras at codon 13 which had been seldom found in human cancers, glycine to aspartic acid mutations due to identical G to A transition at the second nucleotide were observed.     

采用PCR—RFLP技术分析石蜡包埋胃癌组织ras和p53基因点突变

采用多聚酶链延伸反应一限制性片段长度多态性分析（ＰＣＲ—ＲＦＬＰ）法对福尔马林固定、石蜡包埋胃癌组织ｒａｓ和ｐ５３基因点突变进行分析，结果表明，Ｃ—Ｈａ—ｒａｓ第１２位密码子突变率为１３．６％（１２／８８），第６１位密码子为３．８％（３／８０）；Ｃ—Ｋｉ—ｒａｓ第１２位密码子点突变率为７．２％（５／６９），第１３位密码子未发现有点突变者；Ｎ—ｒａｓ第１２位密码子点突变率为１．４％（１／６８）。ｐ５３基因第２４８位密码子点突变率为７．４％（５／６８），第２４９位密码子未见有点突变者。以上提示采用ＰＣＲ—ＲＦＬＰ技术可对多数从石蜡包埋胃癌组织提取的ＤＮＡ进行ｒａｓ和ｐ５３基因点突变分析。     

Detection of a low frequency of activated ras genes in human melanomas using a tumorigenicity assay

We have used an assay combining DNA-mediated gene transfer and tumorigenicity in Swiss athymic mice to look for activated ras genes in solid human sporadic melanomas. This assay can detect ras oncogenes mutated at codons 12, 13, or 61. We examined a panel of 13 independent surgical specimens of primary tumors and metastases. No H- or K-ras oncogenes were detected; an N-ras oncogene, mutated at codon 61, was identified in one of the 13 samples. No N-ras genes mutated at codon 13 were detected. Thus, the tumorigenicity assay detects a low frequency of ras gene activation in melanomas.     

Analysis of ras gene mutations in human hepatic malignant tumors by polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing

The ras gene is one of the oncogenes most commonly detected in human cancers, and it consists of three families (H-ras, K-ras, N-ras). These genes are converted to active oncogenes by point mutations occurring in either codon 12, 13, or 61. We analyzed mutations of these codons in 23 primary hepatic malignant tumors (12 hepatocellular carcinomas, nine cholangiocarcinomas, and two hepatoblastomas) by a method to directly sequence nucleotides, using polymerase chain reaction and a direct sequencing method. Of 23 hepatic malignant tumors, point mutations at K-ras codon 12 or K-ras codon 61 were found in six of nine cholangiocarcinomas. In contrast, there were no point mutations in any of 12 hepatocellular carcinomas or two hepatoblastomas around codon 12, 13, or 61 of the ras genes. These observations suggest that ras gene mutations are not related to pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma, but play an important role in pathogenesis of cholangiocarcinoma.     

Analysis of ras DNA sequences in rat renal cell carcinoma

The DNA sequences for Ha-, Ki-, and N-ras were determined in six cell lines derived from independent rat hereditary renal cell carcinomas (RCC). Genomic regions encompassing codons 12, 13, and 61 of Ha-ras, Ki-ras, and N-ras, and codon 117 of Ha-ras were PCR amplified and directly sequenced. The DNA sequences of Ha-ras and Ki-ras were normal in all lines tested, as were the codon 12 and 61 sequences of N-ras. However, DNA sequence variations that could code for amino acid substitutions were observed in codons 13, 14, and 18 of N-ras in all the lines. The codon 13 Gly----Val alteration observed was consistent with activating N-ras mutations previously reported. When normal kidney DNA from rats with the hereditary tumor syndrome was sequenced, the same N-ras sequence variations observed in the tumor lines were found. DNA from outbred Long-Evans and inbred Fischer rats also had the altered N-ras sequences. The variant N-ras sequence was not observed in PCR-amplified N-ras cDNA from the RCC lines. Thus, tumor-associated activation of ras oncogene appears to be an infrequent event in spontaneous rat RCC. In addition, these data indicate that rats contain an N-ras DNA polymorphism that appears to be a species-specific anomaly.     

Low frequency of ras gene mutations in neuroblastomas, pheochromocytomas, and medullary thyroid cancers

Little is known about the prevalence and significance of ras gene activation in neural crest tumors such as neuroblastomas, pheochromocytomas, and medullary thyroid cancers (MTCs). Therefore, we analyzed DNA from 10 human neuroblastoma cell lines and 10 primary human pheochromocytomas for activating mutations in N-ras, H-ras, and K-ras. We also studied DNA from 24 primary neuroblastomas and 10 MTCs for N-ras mutations. ras genes were analyzed by direct sequencing of specific DNA fragments amplified by the polymerase chain reaction. With the exception of the SK-N-SH cell line, the examined ras gene sequences were normal in all the neuroblastomas, pheochromocytomas, and MTCs tested. A single point mutation was identified at codon 59 (GCT(ala)----ACT(thr)) in one N-ras allele in an SK-N-SH subline. Interestingly, this mutation is different from the activating codon 61 mutation which resulted in the initial identification of N-ras from SK-N-SH DNA. Therefore, we analyzed the sequences of earlier passages and sublines of the SK-N-SH cell line, but mutations at codon 59 or 61 were not detected, suggesting that neither mutation was present in the primary tumor. Our results indicate that N-ras mutations may occur spontaneously during in vitro passage of cell lines but rarely, if ever, occur in primary neuroblastomas, pheochromocytomas, and MTCs. In addition, we have not found H-ras or K-ras mutations in any neuroblastoma cell line or primary pheochromocytoma.     

Point mutations in both transforming and non-transforming codons of the N-ras proto-oncogene of Ph+ leukemias

The distribution and frequency of point mutations in the first and second coding exons of the N-ras proto-oncogene was examined in 6 cases of Philadelphia positive (Ph+) hemopoietic malignancies. To increase the detection sensitivity of the mutations and to estimate more accurately the frequency of abnormal alleles in the hemopoietic cell population, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/shotgun cloning/double stranded DNA sequencing method was used. Mutations activating the ras oncogenes involving codon 61 were observed in 5 out of 6 cases; in one of these cases (CML3), mutation at codon 61 involved a two base transition. Mutations involving codon 59 were also observed in one case (CML1). In longitudinal studies of 3 cases of chronic myelogenous leukemia samples obtained at the time of initial diagnosis and 5 to 7 years later, a multiplicity of mutations were detected at the time of initial diagnosis prior to any therapy. In one case (CML3), a mutation in codon 61 detected at diagnosis was still present 5 years later, in a second case (CML1) a mutation in codon 61 appeared during the course of the disease and persisted for at least one year, and in the third case (CML2) a mutation in codon 61 was present at diagnosis but absent 5 years later. In one instance (CML1) a mutation in codon 59 was present at the time of initial diagnosis but was not detectable in later samples. Several other point mutations leading to aminoacid changes were scattered predominately through the second exon but were not consistently detected in longitudinal studies on cells from the same patient. The data suggest that there is considerable genetic instability in the 2nd exon of N-ras in the myeloid leukemias but in every case a small subset of cells contains the mutations and these cells do not have a proliferative advantage.     

Differential activation of ras genes by point mutation in human colon cancer with metastases to either lung or liver

To study the possible role of ras oncogene activation in the dissemination of colon cancer, we determined point mutations in codons 12, 13 and 61 in K- and N-ras in 3 groups of tumors: (A) primary tumors of patients who had undergone surgery for Dukes' B (early-stage) colon cancer, (B) primary tumors and metastases from patients undergoing resection of isolated lung metastases and (C) primary tumors and metastases from patients undergoing resection of isolated liver metastases. In 129 samples from 93 patients, 54 (42%) were positive for point mutations in either K- or N-ras. Most mutations (89%) were found in the K-ras gene. In group A (n = 50) ras point mutations were detected in 16 cases (32%) (15 in K-ras and 1 in N-ras). Thirteen out of 23 cases in group B (57%) were positive for a ras point mutation: 10 in K-ras and 3 in N-ras. In group C (n = 20), point mutations in codon 12 of K-ras, but none in H- or N-ras, were found in 10 cases (50%). In 31 cases the primary tumors from the metastases in groups B and C were available for analysis and 15 contained a ras point mutation (48%). Not all mutations were present in both the primary tumor and the metastasis. In 3 instances, a mutation was detected in the metastasis but not in the primary tumor, whereas in 1 case a mutation was found in the primary tumor.     

Evidence for pluripotent stem cell origin of idiopathic myelofibrosis: clonal analysis of a case characterized by a N-ras gene mutation

Three cases of idiopathic myelofibrosis were screened for the presence of mutations at codon 12, 13, or 61 of the ras gene family by a rapid method based on polymerase chain reaction and hybridization to mutation-specific oligonucleotides. PB cells of one patient showed a point mutation at codon 12 of the N-ras oncogene. This molecular genetic hallmark was used to investigate the clonal relationship of different cell lineages by cell separation analysis. Presence of the N-ras 12 mutation in granulocytes, monocytes, B cells, and T lymphocytes, as well as erythroblasts, indicates that idiopathic myelofibrosis originates from a pluripotent stem cell, at least in this patient.     

K-ras activation in premalignant and malignant epithelial lesions of the human uterus

We previously reported (Cancer Res., 50:6139-6145, 1990) a significant frequency of activating point mutations in codon 12 of the K-ras oncogene in endometrial adenocarcinomas of the uterine corpus (series 1). To further define the role of ras activation in the development of endometrial adenocarcinoma, we surveyed cystic, adenomatous, and atypical hyperplasias of uterine endometrium and additional cases of endometrial and cervical carcinoma (series 2) for the presence of activating mutations in cellular protooncogenes of the ras family. Polymerase chain reaction was performed from deparaffinized sections of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue. We screened for point mutations in codons 12, 13, and 61 of the K-, H-, and N-ras genes by dot blot hybridization analysis with mutation-specific oligomers. Mutations in K-ras were also confirmed by direct genomic DNA sequencing. Of 19 endometrial adenocarcinomas in series 2, point mutations in ras genes were found in 7 tumors. Six contained single-base substitutions, five in codon 12 of K-ras and one in codon 12 of N-ras. The seventh tumor contained two different point mutations in codon 12 of K-ras. In one endometrial adenocarcinoma, tumor cells with point mutations in K-ras were predominantly localized to a portion that had a more aggressive histological pattern. In endometrial hyperplasia, K-ras mutations, one in codon 12 and one in codon 13, were found in 2 of 16 hyperplasias histologically classified as atypical and clinically considered premalignant. None of 6 adenomatous hyperplasias and none of 12 cystic hyperplasias, the latter of which is considered clinically benign, contained any detectable ras mutations. No mutations in H-ras were detected in either carcinomas or hyperplastic tissue.     

Preferential DNA damage and poor repair determine ras gene mutational hotspot in human cancer

BACKGROUND: Mutations in ras genes are commonly found in human cancers and in animal models. Although mutations at codons 12, 13, and 61 of H-, N- and K-ras genes can activate their oncogenic function, mutations at codon 12 of K-ras are the most common mutations found among the three ras genes in human cancers. To investigate whether codon 12 of human K-ras is especially susceptible to carcinogens and/or whether carcinogen-DNA adducts at this codon are repaired less efficiently, we examined tobacco smoke carcinogen-induced DNA damage in normal human bronchial epithelial and fibroblast cells. METHODS: We used the UvrABC nuclease incision method in combination with ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction to map the distribution of DNA adducts induced by benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide (BPDE) and other bulky carcinogens within exons 1 and 2 in H-ras, N-ras, and K-ras. We also analyzed BPDE-DNA adduct repair efficiency in these three genes using the same method. RESULTS: Codons 12 and 14 of the K-ras gene were hotspots for carcinogen-DNA adduct formation, with little and no adduct formation at codons 13 and 61, respectively. The BPDE-DNA adducts formed at codon 14 were repaired almost twice as quickly as those formed at codon 12. There was some BPDE-DNA adduct formation at codons 12 of H-ras and N-ras, but this codon was not a hotspot. Furthermore, no substantial difference in repair rates between codon 12 and the other codons analyzed (codons 3 and 18) was observed in either the H-ras or N-ras genes. CONCLUSION: These findings link the human cancer mutational hotspot at codon 12 of K-ras to preferential DNA damage and poor repair.     

Analysis of ras gene mutations and methylation state in human leukemias

We have screened a large series of primary human leukemias for activating point mutations at codons 12, 13 and 61 of the N-ras and K-ras proto-oncogenes and at codons 12 and 61 of the H-ras proto-oncogene by using panels of oligonucleotide probes in conjunction with polymerase chain reaction gene amplification. 13 of 64 (20%) acute lymphoblastic leukemia cases had ras gene mutations mostly involving N-ras codon 12/13, G-A (gly-asp) transitions. Consistent with previous studies, a comparable pattern and frequency of ras mutation was found amongst 45 cases of acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplasia. By contrast, of 30 cases of mature B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, only one in terminal prolymphocytoid transformation harboured an activated ras gene. These patterns of mutation did not correlate with ras gene methylation state, a finding not obviously compatible with differential gene accessibility being an important determinant of ras gene mutation patterns in leukemogenesis. Our data suggest that activated ras is more important in tumourigenesis of immature than mature lymphocyte progenitors whilst similar mechanisms associated with aetiology and/or target cell susceptibility probably underlie the similar patterns of ras gene mutations seen in acute leukemias of both myeloid and lymphoid cell lineages.     

Activation of Ki-ras gene by point mutation in human liver angiosarcoma associated with vinyl chloride exposure.

Point mutations of c-ras genes were investigated in human angiosarcomas of the liver associated with occupational exposure to vinyl chloride. DNA prepared from either frozen or paraffin-embedded tissues was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction, and putative point mutations at codons 12, 13, and 61 of c-Ha-ras, c-Ki-ras, and N-ras were analyzed by dot-blot hybridization with allele-specific oligonucleotides. A G.C----A.T transition in the second nucleotide at codon 13 of the c-Ki-ras-2 gene was detected in 5 of 6 tumors. This mutation is likely a consequence of vinyl chloride-DNA adduct formation. It leads to the substitution of glycine by aspartic acid in the resulting p21 protein, a consistent amino acid substitution found so far in all types of human cancer exhibiting a codon 13-mutated Ki-ras gene.     

ras oncogene activation in human ovarian carcinoma

Samples of 37 fresh human ovarian tumor biopsies were screened to detect proto-oncogene amplification and ras mutations. Three samples showed c-K-ras2 amplification; none of the other oncogenes tested revealed any gene amplification. 5-, 25-, and 120-fold amplifications were assessed by dilution experiments and soft laser densitometry. Corresponding elevated levels of c-K-ras2 mRNA and p21 ras protein were found in the three tumors. Analysis by the polymerase chain reaction method to detect point mutations of codon 12 or codon 61 of Harvey-, Kirsten-, or N-ras showed only the wildtype sequence in all specimens. No correlation was found between ras activation and degree of tumor progression or histological subtype. DNA from one of the tumors with c-K-ras2 amplification proved to have high transforming activity in the NIH 3T3 tumorigenicity assay, but the transforming gene was not c-K-ras2.     

Prevalence of N-ras mutations in children with myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia.

The ras proto-oncogene family encodes a group of 21 kDa nucleotide-binding proteins. Activating mutations of ras genes are associated with certain types of malignancies, indicating that they are related in some way to the malignant process. We have examined bone marrow cells from nine children with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and 35 with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) for activating point mutations of ras genes by in vitro amplification using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), oligonucleotide hybridization and sequencing of PCR products. We found N-ras mutations in cells from 3 of 9 children (33%) with MDS and only 2 of 35 children with AML (6%; 95% confidence interval is 0.7-19%). All mutations the second nucleotide of codon 12 or the first nucleotide of codon 61 of N-ras. There was no apparent correlation with clinical or laboratory characteristics, including karyotype; however, an association of N-ras activation with the most aggressive type of MDS was noted. Among the patients with MDS, 2 of 6 with monosomy 7 had N-ras mutations; however, three children with monosomy 7 which presented with AML lacked ras mutations. One patient was studied at time of diagnosis of MDS and again after progression to AML. At the preleukemic stage of disease, an N-ras mutation was identified; however, after development of AML this mutation was not present in the leukemic clone. In conclusion, these data show that ras mutations, while not necessary for leukemic transformation, may be important for the initiation of preleukemias evolving into overt AML.     

Ras mutations in United Kingdom examples of oral malignancies are infrequent

Point mutations in codons 12, 13 or 61 of the oncogenes Ha-ras, Ki-ras or N-ras have been identified in human malignancies of many types. Using the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) technique for DNA amplification in vitro and stringent probing of the amplified DNA on dot blots with a library of specific oligonucleotides, we have screened for the presence of ras mutations in oral and para-oral malignancies and some associated lesions. The material, from UK patients, consisted of 22 oral squamous-cell carcinomas including 5 neck metastases, 1 oral mucosal dysplasia, 1 proliferative verrucous leukoplakia, 1 antral and 1 tonsillar carcinoma, 1 basal-cell carcinoma, 1 salivary adenocarcinoma, 1 salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma and 1 lung adenocarcinoma metastatic to the gingiva. Genomic DNA was extracted from tissues which were fresh or preserved in liquid nitrogen. Two DNA samples contained point mutations in codon 61 of Ki-ras. One of these mutations was in the lymphocytes infiltrating a retromolar SCC. The other mutation (CAA to CAU; substitution of glutamine by histidine) was in the lung adenocarcinoma metastasis. The absence of ras mutations in the epithelium of primary oral squamous-cell carcinomas is of considerable interest as other work in our Department on Indian cases of oral carcinomas associated with chewing tobacco (quid) revealed that 35% of these had a codon 12, 13 or 61 mutation in Ha-ras. While ras activations arising from point mutations may occur in a high proportion of oral malignancies associated with chewing tobacco (quid), this was not the case in UK oral malignancies, even where tobacco was smoked.