Amplification and expression of genes from the 17q11∼q12 amplicon in breast cancer cells

Amplification of a portion of 17q11∼q12 involving the human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2/neu) gene is common in solid tumors. HER-2/neu amplification in breast cancer is associated with a poor prognosis and may predict response to therapeutic interventions. The molecular complexity and informative content of the 17q11∼q12 amplified DNA remain largely unknown. Study of available sequence information in public database allowed us to construct a contig in bacterial artificial chromosome that covers this region. We have identified a several hundred kilobase core segment from this region that is amplified in three out of three breast cancer cell lines with HER-2/neu amplification. There is striking correlation between amplification and overexpression of genes from this region. Amplified and overexpressed genes, in addition to HER-2/neu, may play functional roles in the pathogenesis of breast cancer and may serve as additional targets for therapy. Published by Elsevier Science Inc.