DOWNEXPRESSION OF ALDEHYDE DEHYDROGENASE-1 IN MURINE LUNG-TUMORS

We analyzed the expression of the cytosolic aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 ( Aldh1) gene in mouse lung tumors by northern blotting and immunocytoch emical analysis. Aldh1 was abundantly expressed in normal lung tissue, with a predominant cellular localization an bronchiolar cells. Howeve r, expression of Aldh 1 was strongly reduced (more than tenfold) in lu ng tumors. As aldehyde dehydrogenases metabolize some antitumor alkyla ting drugs to inactive compounds, the low expression of Aldh1 in lung tumors may account for the drug sensitivity of these tumors to chemoth erapeutic agents. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss Inc.