Cell and tumour biology of the gastric enterochromaffin-like cell

The recent recognition of the nature of gastric carcinoids and the elucidat ion of the biological events associated with enterochromaffin-like cell tra nsformation has provided an opportunity to advance the understanding of thi s particular type of neuroendocrine tumour The relationship between hyperga strinaemia present in low acid disease states and the development of gastri c carcinoids has led to an appreciation of the role of gastrin as a growth mediator in the evolution of this type of neoplasia. In addition, evidence exists to support a genetic predisposition to this tumour type in individua ls with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type I syndrome, and in an experimenta l model - the African rodent species, Mastomys. The recent development of a n isolated pure enterochromaffin-like cell preparation has facilitated the elucidation of the molecular physiology of the naive enterochromaffin-like cell and, in addition, allowed the evaluation of the cellular events associ ated with enterochromaffin-like cell transformation from the naive state to the neoplastic phenotype. This synopsis seeks to present information relev ant to both the animal model and the human disease state. The aim is to fac ilitate an appreciation of the regulatory mechanisms of the enterochromaffi n-like cell and delineate the changes consequent to the development of the neoplastic phenotype.