Changes in expression of neural cell-adhesion molecule ard desmoplakin associated with phenotypic transitions in cloned cell-lines from a nonsmall cell lung-carcinoma.

1 PT and 1 PT variant A clonal cell lines, both derived from the same neuroendocrine positive, undifferentiated large cell lung carcinoma, showed differences in their morphology, DNA content, presence of desmosomes and expression of NCAM and desmoplakin. Colonies of cells which morphologically resembled 1 PT variant A cells arose in cultures of the 1 PT clonal line following prolonged cultivation. Such transitions in cloned cells of NSCLC origin have not previously been reported. This transition was associated with increased expression of desmoplakin and downregulation of NCAM. A converse transition of 1 PT variant A cells to 1 PT-like cells could not be demonstrated.