CEA-related proteins on human urothelial cell lines of different transformation grades

CEA family proteins from human urothelial cell lines of different transform ation grades were characterized by flow cytometry and Western blotting usin g monoclonal antibodies: 26/3/13, D14HD11, 9A6 and 4/3/17. The following ob servations were made: (i) the urothelial cell lines, representing transform ation grade III (TGr III, tumorigenic, invasive cells), were characterized by the presence of a component with molecular mass 110-135 kDa, most probab ly representing biliary glycoprotein (BGP); (ii) BGP was absent in non-tumo rigenic and non-invasive TGr II urothelial cell lines; (iii) a protein band with apparent molecular mass 180 kDa, and migrating as a CEA standard was detected in only one of seven urothelial cell lines analyzed; (iv) a broad band of apparent molecular mass migrating at 65-90 kDa, probably representi ng NCA-50/90, was found in two tumorigenic and invasive cell lines, HCV 29T and Hu 1703He. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights rese rved.