Detection of ornithine decarboxylase mRNA in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells by in situ RT-PCR

We have studied the expression of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) mRNA by in situ hybridization and in situ RT-PCR in human breast cancer MCF-7 cell lin e. III sits RT-PCR demonstrated the overexpression of ODC mRNA, localized o ver the cytoplasm, while a very low signal was detected by in situ hybridiz ation. Our findings indicate that in situ RT-PCR could represent a useful t ool to study different levels of ODC expression in normal and tumor tissues . Since ODC expression is regulated by c-Myc oncoprotein, this model could be useful to monitor in vivo the effects of new antineoplastic molecules, s pecific inhibitors of c-Myc.