Expression of transforming growth factor alpha messenger rna in the normal and neoplastic gastro‐intestinal tract

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Abstract
The presence of TGFα mRNA has been reported previously to occur in primary colon cancers. We report the expression of the normal 4.5 kb TGFα transcript in the mucosa of the normal human gastro‐intestinal tract from oesophagus through to colon. The highest levels of human TGFα mRNA occurred in the duodenum but significant levels were present in all of the mucosa. Similarly, in the rat gastro‐intestinal tract, TGFα transcripts were detected in the lower gastro‐intestinal tract mucosa. The relative abundance of the TGFα mRNA appeared to decrease in distal regions of the gastrointestinal tract. The level of the TGFα mRNA was similar in both the normal and the neoplastic colon tissue. Similarly, in 2 patients with carcinomas, the TGFα mRNA was expressed at similar levels in the tumour and in adjacent mucosa. Although TGFα mRNA is associated with transformed cells from the gastro‐intestinal tract, the presence of this mRNA at equivalent concentrations in normal mucosa suggests that over‐production of TGFα is not an essential feature of carcinomas in the gastro‐intestinal tract.