Exp Mol Med.  2005 Feb;37(1):65-69.

Serotonin transporter mRNA expression in the dorsal raphe nucleus of a tumor bearing mouse

• Jahng JW
• Choi SH
• Cha MJ
• Kim NY
• Hwang SJ
• Lee JH

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine if an oral squamous cell carcinoma alters mRNA expression of serotonin transporter (5-HTT) in the central nervous system. KB cell line derived from a human oral squamous cell carcinoma was inoculated into nude mice, and mRNA expression level of 5-HTT in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) was examined by in situ hybridization when the tumor mass reached to -10% of total body weight. Plasma leptin levels were determined by radioimmunoassay method using a commercial kit. 5-HTT mRNA level was significantly decreased in the DRN of tumor bearing mice, compared to the age-matching non-tumor control. Plasma leptin level decreased concomitantly in tumor bearing mice. These results suggest that oral carcinoma may suppress 5-HTT gene expression in the central nervous system, perhaps in relation with decreased plasma leptin level.

Keyword

depression; gene expression; in situ hybridization; leptin; serotonin; tumor

MeSH Terms

Animals
Body Weight
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/*metabolism/pathology
DNA, Complementary
*Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
Humans
Leptin/blood
Male
Membrane Glycoproteins/*genetics/metabolism
Membrane Transport Proteins/*genetics/metabolism
Mice
Mice, Inbred BALB C
Mice, Nude
Mouth Neoplasms/*metabolism/pathology
Nerve Tissue Proteins/*genetics/metabolism
RNA, Messenger/*metabolism
Radioimmunoassay
Raphe Nuclei/*metabolism
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Serotonin/metabolism