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. 1993 Feb;13(2):762–768. doi: 10.1128/mcb.13.2.762

Expression cDNA cloning of a transforming gene encoding the wild-type G alpha 12 gene product.

A M Chan 1, T P Fleming 1, E S McGovern 1, M Chedid 1, T Miki 1, S A Aaronson 1
PMCID: PMC358958  PMID: 8423800

Abstract

Using an expression cDNA cloning approach, we examined human tumor cell lines for novel oncogenes that might evade detection by conventional techniques. We isolated a transforming sequence that was highly efficient in transforming NIH 3T3 mouse fibroblasts. DNA sequence analysis identified the gene as the human homolog of a recently cloned alpha subunit of mouse GTP-binding protein G alpha 12. NIH 3T3 cells transfected with G alpha 12 cDNA grew in soft agar and were tumorigenic in nude mice. There were no apparent mutations in the cloned cDNA in comparison with a G alpha 12 cDNA clone isolated from a normal human epithelial cell library, implying that overexpression alone was sufficient to cause NIH 3T3 cell transformation. The observed altered growth properties mediated by G alpha 12 showed a certain degree of dependency on serum factors, and its mitogenic potential was also potently inhibited by suramin treatment.

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Selected References

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