Increased expression of α6-integrin receptors and of mRNA encoding the putative 37 kDa laminin receptor precursor in pancreatic carcinoma

The expression of α6-integrin receptors (VLA-α6) and of mRNA encoding the putative 37 kDa laminin receptor precursor (37 LRP) was determined in ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma and normal pancreatic tissue from the same patient. VLA-α6 expression was enhanced and redistributed in pancreatic carcinoma, and 37 LRP mRNA levels were elevated in carcinomatous pancreatic tissue as well as in five pancreatic tumor cell lines. The molecular weight of the major RNA species detected was higher in carcinoma tissue (1.9 kb) as opposed to cell lines (1.2 kb), possibly reflecting alternative splicing of 37 LRP mRNA in the primary tumor.