APC-dependent changes in expression of genes influencing polyamine metabolism, and consequences for gastrointestinal carcinogenesis, in the Min mouse

Steven H. Erdman, Natalia A. Ignatenko, Marianne B. Powell, Karen A. Blohm-Mangone, Hana Holubec, José M. Guillén-Rodriguez, Eugene W. Gerner

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Scopus citations

Abstract

The colorectal mucosa of pre-symptomatic individuals with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) contains elevated levels of the proliferation-associated polyamines. The Min mouse, like humans with FAP, expresses an abnormal genotype for the APC tumor suppressor gene. In order to determine how APC mutation influences intestinal tissue polyamine content, we measured steady-state RNA levels of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the first enzyme in polyamine synthesis, antizyme (AZ), a protein which negatively regulates ODC, and the spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT), the first enzyme in polyamine catabolism. RNA content was increased 6- to 8-fold in both the small intestine and colon for ODC, decreased significantly in the small intestine but not the colon for AZ and was not statistically different in either intestinal tissue for SSAT in Min mice compared with normal littermates. Consistent with the changes in ODC and AZ gene expression, small intestinal, but not colonic, polyamine content was elevated in Min mice compared with normal littermates. Treatment of Min mice with the specific ODC inhibitor difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) suppressed small intestinal, but not colonic, polyamine content and tumor number. These data indicate that small intestinal tissue polyamine content is elevated in Min mice by a mechanism involving APC-dependent changes in ODC and AZ RNA. Further, ODC enzyme activity, which is influenced by both ODC and AZ RNA levels and inhibited by DFMO, is consequential for small intestinal tumorigencsis in this model. In the FAP population, DFMO may be of value in the chemoprevention of small intestinal adenocarcinoma that remains a risk following colectomy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1709-1713
Number of pages5
JournalCarcinogenesis
Volume20
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - 1999
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cancer Research

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