ENHANCED EXPRESSION OF ANNEXIN-II IN HUMAN PANCREATIC-CARCINOMA CELLSAND PRIMARY PANCREATIC CANCERS

Annexin II is a calcium and phospholipid. binding protein and a substr ate for protein-tyrosine kinases. Recent investigations have revealed involvement of annexin II in DNA synthesis and cell proliferation. Inc reased levels of annexin II are observed in cancer cells and tissues. To investigate the expression of annexin II in pancreatic adenocarcino ma cells and primary tumors, we measured the levels of annexin II mRNA and protein in normal human pancreas, five established human pancreat ic adenocarcinoma cell lines, three primary pancreatic cancers and one metastatic tumor. All five cell lines examined had 5- to 15-fold high er levels of annexin II as compared to normal pancreas. Significant el evations (2- to 8-fold) of annexin II expression were observed in the three primary pancreatic tumors and one metastatic tumor examined. Imm unocytochemical analysis indicates that the increased expression of an nexin II is limited to proliferating ductular adenocarcinoma, and anne xin II expression co-localizes with cells that express PCNA. In normal pancreas, annexin II expression is seen in ductal and ductular cells and no expression is seen hr acinar or islet cells. We conclude from t hese findings that annexin II has a role in cell proliferation and its regulation is altered in pancreatic cancer.