Fas, a cell surface receptor, mediates cell death by means of apoptosi
s in a variety of cell types. We attempted to detect Fas within plasma
membrane isolated from surgically removed female reproductive tract t
umors. Eight of 9 endometrial carcinomas and all ovarian carcinoma tes
ted expressed Fas mRNA as assessed by RT-PCR using oligonucleotide pri
mers according to published sequences. Immunoblotting of membrane prot
eins with the specific antibodies detected an immunoreactive Fas in 15
of the 16 tumors tested. In contrast, none of 9 uterine cervical carc
inomas demonstrated Fas expression. Fas was expressed in a wide range
of the carcinomas originating from the uterine endometrium and ovary,
but not in the uterine cervix-derived tumors. Despite a poorly underst
ood processes of apoptosis at present, this may suggest frequent expre
ssion of Fas in adenocarcinoma histologic types.