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The Gem GTP-binding protein promotes morphological differentiation in neuroblastoma

Oncogene volume 20, pages 3217–3225 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

Gem is a small GTP-binding protein within the Ras superfamily whose function has not been determined. We report here that ectopic Gem expression is sufficient to stimulate cell flattening and neurite extension in N1E-115 and SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, suggesting a role for Gem in cytoskeletal rearrangement and/or morphological differentiation of neurons. Consistent with this potential function, in clinical samples of neuroblastoma, Gem protein was most highly expressed within cells which had differentiated to express ganglionic morphology. Gem was also observed in developing trigeminal nerve ganglia in 12.5 day mouse embryos, demonstrating that Gem expression is a property of normal ganglionic development. Although Gem expression is rare in epithelial and hematopoietic cancer cell lines, constitutive Gem levels were detected in several neuroblastoma cell lines and could be further induced as much as 10-fold following treatment with PMA or the acetylcholine muscarinic agonist, carbachol.

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Acknowledgements

A Leone was partially supported by the Italian Association of Neuroblastoma Research.

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Author notes

  1. Alvaro Leone

    Present address: Laboratorio di Istopatologia, ASL San Camillo-Forlanini, Via Portuense 332, Roma, 00152, Italia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cell and Cancer Biology Department, Division of Clinical Sciences, Medicine Branch, National Cancer Institute, Building 10, Room 3B43, 9000, Rockville Pike, Bethesda, 20892, Maryland, MD, USA

    Alvaro Leone, Yvona Ward, Beth Spinelli & Kathleen Kelly

  2. Division of Clinical Sciences, Pediatric Tumor Biology Section, Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

    Nicholas Mitsiades, Vasiliki Poulaki & Maria Tsokos

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  1. Alvaro Leone
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Leone, A., Mitsiades, N., Ward, Y. et al. The Gem GTP-binding protein promotes morphological differentiation in neuroblastoma. Oncogene 20, 3217–3225 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.onc.1204420

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