Platelet-derived growth factor-B and -C and active alpha-receptors in medulloblastoma cells.

• The malignant childhood brain tumor medulloblastoma belongs to the group of primitive neuroectodermal tumours (PNETs). Medulloblastomas are thought to arise from remnants of the transient external germinal layer in the cerebellum. Proliferation, differentiation, and motility of cells in the central nervous system are regulated by growth factors, e.g., platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Recently, it was shown that higher level of PDGF alpha-receptor expression is characteristic of metastatic medulloblastomas. We have investigated five medulloblastoma/PNET cell lines and found that the PDGF alpha-receptor is actively signalling in most of them, an activity most likely driven by endogenously produced PDGF-C. PDGF-C is normally present in cells of the developing external germinal layer and our results are consistent with the idea that medulloblastomas are derived from such cells undergoing early neuronal differentiation. Moreover, the expression of PDGF and its receptors was associated with neuronal characteristics, but not with high levels of c-myc expression in the medullablastoma cells.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Cell Differentiation

Cells

Cultured

Cerebellar Neoplasms

genetics

metabolism

DNA

Neoplasm

biosynthesis

Dose-Response Relationship

Drug

Humans

Lymphokines

Medulloblastoma

genetics

metabolism

Neurons

cytology

metabolism

Platelet-Derived Growth Factor

biosynthesis

genetics

pharmacology

Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc

biosynthesis

genetics

Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis

biosynthesis

genetics

RNA

Neoplasm

biosynthesis

Receptor

Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha

genetics

metabolism

Tumor Cells

Cultured

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)