EXPRESSION OF FAS IN FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE-TRACT TUMORS

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.