Aim: To construct a stable cell strain encoding tumor-associated fused gene which expresses oncoprotein Tpr-Met.
Methods: We transfected Tpr-Met vector into Ba/F3 cells and screened the cell strain stably expressing Tpr-Met. The interleukin 3 (IL-3) independent proliferation of the cells was measured using the MTS assay. The expression of Tpr-Met, the activity of downstream signal transduction pathway and SU11274-induced inhibition of the signal pathway were investigated by Western blotting.
Results: We obtained a Ba/F3 cell strain stably expressing Tpr-Met. The cells presented IL-3 independent proliferation, suggesting a malignant transformation of the cell line. In Tpr-Met transformed Ba/F3 cells, the phosphorylation of Met and ERK were enhanced; however, specific c-Met inhibitor SU11274 suppressed the cell proliferation and c-Met phosphorylation.
Conclusion: Tpr-Met transformed Ba/F3 strain has been successfully constructed.