Expression of the elk-1 gene in various mouse organs and in human oral precancerous lesions and squamous cell carcinomas

Abstract

The elk-1 oncogene is a member of the est family and regulates gene expression in a variety of biological processes.We used molecular biological techniques to investigate the expression pattern of the elk-1 gene in mice and in human oral precancerous lesions and squamous cell carcinomas.elk-1 mRNA was moderately expressed in erythroplakia and leukoplakia, weakly expressed in normal gingiva, and strongly expressed in squamous cell carcinomas.Furthermore, elk-1 mRNA was detected in mice From 8 to 12 days of gestation.It was weak in the ovaries, and was not detected in the intestine, stomach, uterus, kidney, spleen, liver or testes.These results suggest that elk-1 may play an important role in the development of oral precancerous lesions and squamous cell carcinomas.