INCREASED EXPRESSION OF ALPHA(6)-INTEGRIN RECEPTORS AND OF MESSENGER-RNA ENCODING THE PUTATIVE 37 KDA LAMININ RECEPTOR PRECURSOR IN PANCREATIC-CARCINOMA

The expression of alpha(6)-integrin receptors (VLA-alpha(6)) and of mR NA encoding the putative 37 kDa laminin receptor precursor (37 LRP) wa s determined in ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma and normal pancreatic tissue from the same patient. VLA-alpha(6) expression was enhanced an d redistributed in pancreatic carcinoma, and 37 LRP mRNA levels were e levated in carcinomatous pancreatic tissue as well as in five pancreat ic tumor cell lines. The molecular weight of the major RNA species det ected was higher in carcinoma tissue (1.9 kb) as opposed to cell lines (1.2 kb), possibly reflecting alternative splicing of 37 LRP mRNA in the primary tumor. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.