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Cystathionine metabolism in neuroblastoma
Author(s) -
Klein Catherine E.,
Roberts Brian,
Glode L. Michael,
Holcenberg John
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19880715)62:2<291::aid-cncr2820620211>3.0.co;2-q
Subject(s) - cystathionine beta synthase , neuroblastoma , cystathionine gamma lyase , biochemistry , enzyme , chemistry , endocrinology , medicine , biology , cell culture , cysteine , genetics
Abstract Cystathioninuria is a frequent and highly specific marker of neuroblastoma, but the etiology of this abnormality has not been well studied. To investigate this phenomenon, we analyzed 27 human neuroblastoma tissue specimens for the presence of cystathionine synthase and cystathionase. Levels of cystathionine synthase varied from undetectable to 622 pmol/mg protein, but no specimen had cystathionase measurable by rocket radioimmunoassay or catalytic assay. In addition, we assayed neuroblastoma cell lines exposed to a variety of differentiating agents: butyric acid, dimethyl sulfoxide, serum‐free medium, or sodium citrate to induce differentiation. In each case we were unable to demonstrate cystathionase induction. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that neuroblastomas have a biochemical block in the transsulfuration enzymes at the level of cystathionase and that expression of cystathionine synthase in the absence of cystathionase may account for the presence of cystathioninuria in patients with neuroblastoma.