Expression of plasminogen-related gene B varies among normal tissues and increases in cancer tissues

We previously found that the promoter activity of plasminogen (PLG)-related gene B (PRGB) was 5-fold that of PLC, We have since examined the transcrip t levels of PRGB among various normal human tissues, and compared these fin dings with those of PLG, Reverse transcription-PCR analysis revealed that t he PRGB expression varied widely among different tissues, while PLG was exp ressed only in the liver and kidney. RNA samples obtained from cultured cel l lines also demonstrated differing PRGB expression. Furthermore, increased PRGB expression was observed in several fresh samples of cancer tissue obt ained from cancer patients when compared with surrounding normal tissues. ( C) 1999 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.