Expression of noval gene SNC73 in human cancer tissue tested by in situ hybridization

Objective To detect the expression status of new gene SNC73 in common epithelium cancer tissues and to elucidate the relationship between the expression of SNC73 and the genesis of tumors. Methods Paired tumor and normal tissues from five different types of human cancers were tested by cRNA/mRNA in situ hybridization using the digoxingen labeled probe. Results SNC73 was highly expressed in epithelium cells and lymphocytes of normal colorectal and gastric mucosa, and its expression was significantly lower or even deficient in colorectal and gastric cancer tissues. No expression could be detected both in the normal and cancer tissues of liver, lung or breast. Conclusions SNC73 is a novel gene related to the cancer of digestive tract, and should be further investigated as a candidate of the tumor suppressor gene.