Abstract
The parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) gene consists of nine exons and allows the production of multiple PTHrP mRNA species via the use of three promoters and 5' and 3' alternative splicing; as a result of 3' alternative splicing one of three protein isoforms may be produced. This organisation has potential for tissue-specific splicing patterns. We examined PTHrP mRNA expression and splicing patterns in a series of tumours and normal tissues, using the sensitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique. Use of promoter 3 and mRNA specifying the 141 amino acid PTHrP isoform were detected in all samples. Transcripts encoding the 139 amino acid isoform were detected in all but two samples. Use of promoters 1 and 2 was less widespread as was detection of mRNA encoding the 173 amino acid isoform. While different PTHrP splicing patterns were observed between tumours, no tissue- or tumour-specific transcripts were detected. In comparing normal and tumour tissue from the same patient, an increase in the number of promoters utilised was observed in the tumour tissue. Furthermore, mRNA for the PTH/PTHrP receptor was detected in all samples, thus the PTHrP produced by these tumours may potentially act in an autocrine or paracrine fashion.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 24 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $10.79 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Southby, J., O'Keeffe, L., Martin, T. et al. Alternative promoter usage and mRNA splicing pathways for parathyroid hormone-related protein in normal tissues and tumours. Br J Cancer 72, 702–707 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1995.397
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1995.397
This article is cited by
-
Expression of parathyroid hormone-related protein during immortalization of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells by HTLV-1: Implications for transformation
Retrovirology (2008)
-
Skeletal metastasis: Established and emerging roles of parathyroid hormone related protein (PTHrP)
Cancer and Metastasis Reviews (2007)
-
Parathyroid hormone-related protein and ezrin are up-regulated in human lung cancer bone metastases
Clinical & Experimental Metastasis (2007)
-
Transcriptional regulation of parathyroid hormone-related protein promoter P3 by ETS-1 in adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma
Leukemia (2005)
-
Immunohistochemical localization of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) and serum PTHrP in normocalcemic patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma
Odontology (2005)