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Amplification and expression of the N-myc gene in neuroblastoma

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Abstract

Genomic configuration and expression of the N-myc gene was investigated by Southern and Northern blot analyses in 18 neuroblastomas of different clinical stages. We observed a 4-100-fold amplification of this oncogene in one of six stage III, two of four stage IV as well as one of five stage IVS tumours. Remarkably, an 80-fold N-myc amplification was demonstrated in a patient with stage IV neuroblastoma being in remission for more than 2 years; moreover, a 100-fold amplification could be detected in a stage IVS tumour from a newborn. These data are discussed in view of the recently postulated close association of N-myc amplification with rapid progression of neuroblastomas.

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Abbreviations

kb:

kilo base pairs

EcoRI:

restriction endonuclease isolated fromEscherichia coli

N-myc :

member of themyc oncogene family, related to the viralmyc oncogene isolated form Avian Myelocytomatosis Virus

HSR:

homogeneously staining regions; DM double minutes

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Dedicated to Professor Enno Kleihauer on the occassion of his 60th birthday

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Bartram, C.R., Berthold, F. Amplification and expression of the N-myc gene in neuroblastoma. Eur J Pediatr 146, 162–165 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02343225

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02343225

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