Cloning and characterisation of GIRK1 variants resulting from alternative RNA editing of the KCNJ3 gene transcript in a human breast cancer cell line.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of increased mRNA levels encoding GIRK1 in breast tumours on GIRK protein expression. mRNA levels encoding hGIRK1 and hGIRK4 in the MCF7, MCF10A and MDA-MB-453 breast cancer cell lines were assessed and the corresponding proteins detected using Western blots. cDNAs encoding for four hGIRK1 splice variants (hGIRK1a, 1c, 1d and 1e) were cloned from the MCF7 cell line.

The "3R" concept in the Internet I.

More and more members of the scientific community interested in 3R related topics of animal experiments are using Internet-Homepages as a low-budget forum to present either their scientific results, or opinions on specific subjects or to announce publications. Supra/inter/national authorities/universities/laboratories are also offering information, documents, access to databases and much more to the interested public. Therefore the Internet is an advantageous new medium for 3R related subjects.

In vitro test systems in cancer research.

An increasing variety of in vitro test systems is used in cancer research to detect mutagenic or carcinogenic factors, to improve diagnosis and therapy and to study cancer cell functions and metastasis. This short review indicates that these in vitro techniques are not only superior to some animal experiments but often are the leading techniques. Improved 3D cell culture techniques, studies of membrane of organelle functions as well as molecular biology and genetic techniques will be discussed in the light of the cancer research strategic recommendations of the European Community (Europe against cancer).