Abstract
The multiple enzymatic activities and functions of transglutaminase type 2 (TG2) may be attributed to alternative TG2 molecules produced by differential splicing of TG2 mRNA. Different RNA transcripts of the human TG2 gene (TGM2) have been identified, but the expression of TG2 multiple transcripts has never been systematically addressed. We have confirmed and rationalized the main TG2 variants and developed a screening assay for the detection of alternative splicing of TG2, based on real-time reverse-transcription PCR. We have quantified the multiple TG2 transcripts in a wide range of normal tissues and in cancer cell lines from four different sites of origin. Our data show a significant correlation in the expression of canonical and alternative TG2 isoforms in normal human tissue, but differences in alternative splicing of TG2 in cancer cell lines, suggesting that in cancer cells the alternative splicing of TG2 is a more active process.
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Acknowledgments
Work supported by The John and Lucille van Geest Foundation and Nottingham Trent University (RAE QR-U12 and Research Enhancement Funds). We wish to thank Mr Izhar Burhan (Nottingham Trent University) for help with real-time PCR.
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V. M. Phatak and S. M. Croft contributed equally to this article.
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Phatak, V.M., Croft, S.M., Rameshaiah Setty, S.G. et al. Expression of transglutaminase-2 isoforms in normal human tissues and cancer cell lines: dysregulation of alternative splicing in cancer. Amino Acids 44, 33–44 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-011-1127-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-011-1127-4