Amplified, overexpressed and rearranged epidermal growth factor receptor gene in a human astrocytoma cell line.

We report here that SK-MG-3, a human astrocytoma cell line with a high number of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors, has an amplified and overexpressed EGF receptor gene. Northern blot analysis did not show any abnormal EGF receptor gene-related mRNA species. No amplification or rearrangement was noted in 21 other astrocytoma cell lines. In contrast to other cell lines that have EGF receptor gene amplifications, we have not detected inhibition of in vitro proliferation of the SK-MG-3 line by EGF.