Relevant genomics of neurotensin receptor in cancer

The expressed sequence tag (EST) databases are an attractive starting point for gene discovery for diseases like cancer. Validation of gene targets fr om these sequences (both known and novel) in cancers requires a comprehensi ve expression profiling. We identified from the Cancer Gene Anatomy Project database (CGAP), a hit called neurotensin receptor (NT-r) that was express ed in the pancreatic cancer cDNA libraries. Neurotensin (NT), a neuroendocr ine peptide, exerts trophic effects in vivo and stimulates the growth of ca ncer-derived cell lines in vitro. High affinity neurotensin receptors (NT-r ) are expressed in cancer-derived cell lines and in some primary tumors. To elate, a comprehensive expression profile of the NT-r in diverse cancers a nd normal tissues has not been reported. A cancer-selective expression of N T-4; if demonstrable, may provide a basis for a diagnostic and potential th erapeutic utility. We demonstrate that the NT-r is expressed in a variety o f cancer-derived cell lines as well as primary tumors, but only in a select few normal tissues. The expression of NT, on the other hand was detected i n many normal tissues, bur not in the cancer-derived cell lines. The NT exp ression however was detected in the primary tumors. We further demonstrate that NT expression is stimulated by androgen deprivation in the prostate ca ncer models. These results demonstrate the usefulness of a panel of cDNA re pository for rapid validation of potential cancer targets.