| 1. |
- Andersson, Mattias K, 1979, et al.
(author)
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The multifunctional FUS, EWS and TAF15 proto-oncoproteins show cell type-specific expression patterns and involvement in cell spreading and stress response
- 2008
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In: BMC Cell Biology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2121. ; 9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: FUS, EWS and TAF15 are structurally similar multifunctional proteins that were first discovered upon characterization of fusion oncogenes in human sarcomas and leukemias. The proteins belong to the FET (previously TET) family of RNA-binding proteins and are implicated in central cellular processes such as regulation of gene expression, maintenance of genomic integrity and mRNA/microRNA processing. In the present study, we investigated the expression and cellular localization of FET proteins in multiple human tissues and cell types. RESULTS: FUS, EWS and TAF15 were expressed in both distinct and overlapping patterns in human tissues. The three proteins showed almost ubiquitous nuclear expression and FUS and TAF15 were in addition present in the cytoplasm of most cell types. Cytoplasmic EWS was more rarely detected and seen mainly in secretory cell types. Furthermore, FET expression was downregulated in differentiating human embryonic stem cells, during induced differentiation of neuroblastoma cells and absent in terminally differentiated melanocytes and cardiac muscle cells. The FET proteins were targeted to stress granules induced by heat shock and oxidative stress and FUS required its RNA-binding domain for this translocation. Furthermore, FUS and TAF15 were detected in spreading initiation centers of adhering cells. CONCLUSION: Our results point to cell-specific expression patterns and functions of the FET proteins rather than the housekeeping roles inferred from earlier studies. The localization of FET proteins to stress granules suggests activities in translational regulation during stress conditions. Roles in central processes such as stress response, translational control and adhesion may explain the FET proteins frequent involvement in human cancer.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Johanson, Viktor, 1958, et al.
(author)
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A transplantable human medullary thyroid carcinoma as a model for RET tyrosine kinase-driven tumorigenesis
- 2007
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In: Endocrine-Related Cancer. - 1351-0088 .- 1479-6821. ; 14:2, s. 433-444
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Hereditary medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is caused by germline mutations in the RET proto-oncogene, resulting in constitutive activation of the RET tyrosine kinase. A substantial proportion of sporadic MTCs also have RET mutations, making the RET tyrosine kinase a potential therapeutic target in MTC. We have established a transplantable MTC in nude mice from a sporadic human MTC carrying a RET C634R mutation. Transplanted tumors had an exponential growth rate with an approximate doubling time of about 3 weeks, and expressed a neuroendocrine phenotype characteristic of MTC, e.g., expression of calcitonin, chromogranin A (CgA), synaptophysin, synaptic vesicle protein 2 (SV2), vesicular monoamine transporter-1 and -2, carcinoembryonic antigen, cytokeratin 8/18, epithelial cadherin, and neural cell adhesion molecule. Plasma calcitonin and CgA levels were elevated in tumor-bearing mice and correlated with tumor size. Cytogenetic analysis, including spectral karyotyping, confirmed the human origin of the xenografted tumors and demonstrated an abnormal, near triploid karyotype. Treatment of tumor-bearing nude mice with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor ZD6474, which specifically inhibits RET, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and vascular endothelium growth factor receptor (VEGFR) tyrosine kinases, resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of tumor growth. Oral ZD6474 given once daily (250 mg/kg, 5 days/week) reduced tumor volume to 11% when compared with controls after 4 weeks. Our results show that this transplantable MTC, designated GOT2, represents a novel and useful model for studies of MTC and RET tyrosine kinase-dependent tumor growth.
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| 4. |
- Persson, Fredrik, 1973, et al.
(author)
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Characterization of the 12q amplicons by high-resolution, oligonucleotide array CGH and expression analyses of a novel liposarcoma cell line
- 2008
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In: Cancer Letters. - : Elsevier BV. - 0304-3835. ; 260:1-2, s. 37-47
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The cytogenetic hallmark of well-differentiated liposarcoma (WDLS) is a giant marker chromosomes containing amplified genes from chromosome 12q13-q15. Here, we have employed SKY and high-resolution 244K oligonucleotide array CGH to characterize rearrangements and amplifications in a new WDLS cell line (GOT3) with a giant marker chromosome derived from chromosomes 12, 1, and X. The most prominent amplifications included 144 genes in 12q11-q21.2, 201 genes in 1q23.3-q44, and six genes in 13q32.1-q32.2. In the 12q amplicons, MDM2 showed the highest level of amplification followed by LYZ, HMGA2 (5'-part), TSPAN8, CNOT2, YEATS4, CDK4, GNS, HELB, and TSFM. Expression analysis of genes from the three major amplicons revealed that several highly amplified potential target genes, including HMGA2, MDM2, YEATS4, CDK4, PKP1, IPO9, and SOX21, were strongly overexpressed. Studies of cell cycle controlling proteins that interact with CDK4 and MDM2 revealed an abnormally strong expression of cyclins D1 and E. The selective high-level amplification of the 5'-part of HMGA2, including the DNA-binding domains, suggests that this gene is a major target of amplifications in WDLS. Our results also identify several novel candidate genes of potential pathogenetic and therapeutic importance for WDLS.
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| 5. |
- Alyahya, G. A., et al.
(author)
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Pleomorphic adenoma arising in an accessory lacrimal gland of Wolfring
- 2006
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In: Ophthalmology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0161-6420. ; 113:5, s. 879-82
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PURPOSE: To describe a patient with pleomorphic adenoma arising in an accessory lacrimal gland of Wolfring in the lower lid and to illustrate the immunohistochemical and molecular cytogenetics. DESIGN: Single interventional case report. METHODS: A 62-year-old man presented with a 20-year history of a painless slowly growing mass at the temporal part of the right lower eyelid. Histological, immunohistochemical, and fluorescence in situ hybridization studies of the excised tumor were performed. RESULTS: Histological evaluation showed many glandular elements embedded in a myxoid stroma. The tumor was situated beneath an area of a normal accessory lacrimal gland of Wolfring and in close association with normal meibomian glands. Myoepithelial tumor cells in the myxoid stroma reacted strongly with an antibody against glial fibrillary acidic protein, which did not bind to normal lacrimal gland tissue. Tumor cells with both epithelial and myoepithelial morphologies reacted positively for both pleomorphic adenoma gene-1 and high-mobility group A2 proteins. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis showed no evidence of clonal translocations or numerical abnormalities involving chromosome 8 or 12. CONCLUSIONS: Pleomorphic adenoma of the accessory lacrimal gland is an exceedingly rare tumor of the ocular adnexa. Glial fibrillary acidic protein seems to be a tumor-associated antigen. Genetically, this case of pleomorphic adenoma arising from an accessory lacrimal gland of Wolfring is identical with those originating from salivary glands.
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| 6. |
- Andersson, Ellinor, et al.
(author)
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High-resolution genomic profiling reveals gain of chromosome 14 as a predictor of poor outcome in ileal carcinoids.
- 2009
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In: Endocrine-related cancer. - 1479-6821. ; 16:3, s. 953-66
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Ileal carcinoids are malignant neuroendocrine tumours of the small intestine. The aim of this study was to obtain a high-resolution genomic profile of ileal carcinoids in order to define genetic changes important for tumour initiation, progression and survival. Forty-three patients with ileal carcinoids were investigated by high-resolution array-based comparative genomic hybridization. The average number of copy number alterations (CNAs) per tumour was 7.1 (range 1-22), with losses being more common than gains (ratio 1.4). The most frequent CNA was loss of chromosome 18 (74%). Other frequent CNAs were gain of chromosome 4, 5, 14 and 20, and loss of 11q22.1-q22.2, 11q22.3-q23.1 and 11q23.3, and loss of 16q12.2-q22.1 and 16q23.2-qter. Two distinct patterns of CNAs were found; the majority of tumours was characterized by loss of chromosome 18 while a subgroup of tumours had intact chromosome 18, but gain of chromosome 14. Survival analysis, using a series of Poisson regressions including recurrent CNAs, demonstrated that gain of chromosome 14 was a strong predictor of poor survival. In conclusion, high-resolution profiling demonstrated two separate patterns of CNAs in ileal carcinoids. The majority of tumours showed loss of chromosome 18, which most likely represents a primary event in the development and pathogenesis of tumours. A different genetic pathway is operative in a subgroup of tumours; this is characterized by gain of chromosome 14 and is strongly associated with poor prognosis. Predictive fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of chromosome 14 status in patients with ileal carcinoids is suggested.
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| 7. |
- Asp, Julia, 1973, et al.
(author)
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CHCHD7-PLAG1 and TCEA1-PLAG1 gene fusions resulting from cryptic, intrachromosomal 8q rearrangements in pleomorphic salivary gland adenomas.
- 2006
-
In: Genes, chromosomes & cancer. - : Wiley. - 1045-2257 .- 1098-2264. ; 45:9, s. 820-8
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Pleomorphic salivary gland adenomas are characterized by recurrent chromosome rearrangements of 8q12, leading to activation of the PLAG1 oncogene. Here we demonstrate that CHCHD7-PLAG1 is a novel and recurrent gene fusion generated by a cytogenetically cryptic rearrangement in pleomorphic adenomas. CHCHD7 is a newly identified member of a multifamily of proteins containing a conserved (coiled coil 1)-(helix 1)-(coiled coil 2)-(helix 2) domain. Northern blot analysis revealed that the gene is ubiquitously expressed. Its biological function is unknown and the gene has hitherto not been associated with neoplasia. CHCHD7 and PLAG1 are located head-to-head about 500 bp apart in 8q12. Molecular analyses of 27 tumors revealed CHCHD7-PLAG1 fusions in three tumors, two of which had t(6;8) and t(8;15) translocations as the sole anomalies and one a normal karyotype. FISH analyses of interphase nuclei and nuclear chromatin fibers of a fourth adenoma with a normal karyotype revealed that a second fusion partner gene, TCEA1, located about 2 Mb centromeric to PLAG1, also is fused to PLAG1 as a result of a cryptic 8q rearrangement. The breakpoints in both fusions occur in the 5'-noncoding regions of the genes, leading to activation of PLAG1 by promoter swapping/substitution. Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated that the PLAG1 protein was overexpressed in epithelial, myoepithelial, and mesenchymal-like tumor cells in tumors with both fusions. Our findings further emphasize the significance of PLAG1 activation in pleomorphic adenomas and demonstrate that the gene is more frequently activated than previously anticipated.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Behboudi, Afrouz, 1967, et al.
(author)
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Clear cell hidradenoma of the skin-a third tumor type with a t(11;19)--associated TORC1-MAML2 gene fusion.
- 2005
-
In: Genes, chromosomes & cancer. - : Wiley. - 1045-2257 .- 1098-2264. ; 43:2, s. 202-5
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Recent studies have shown that the t(11;19)(q21;p13) translocation in mucoepidermoid carcinomas and benign Warthin's tumors results in a fusion of the N-terminal CREB-binding domain of the cAMP coactivator TORC1 (a.k.a. MECT1 and WAMTP1) to the Notch coactivator MAML2. Here we show that a third tumor type, clear cell hidradenoma of the skin, also expresses this gene fusion. RT-PCR analysis of a clear cell hidradenoma with a t(11;19)(q21;p13) translocation revealed expression of a TORC1-MAML2 fusion transcript consisting of exon 1 of TORC1 fused to exons 2-5 of MAML2. Because the fusion was only detected in a single case, the frequency of this aberration in clear cell hidradenomas remains unknown. These results demonstrate that the t(11;19) in mucoepidermoid carcinoma, Warthin's tumor, and clear cell hidradenoma targets the same genes and results in identical gene fusions, indicating that at least subgroups of these glandular tumors evolve through activation of the same molecular pathways.
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| 10. |
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| 11. |
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| 12. |
- Behboudi, Afrouz, 1967, et al.
(author)
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Molecular classification of mucoepidermoid carcinomas-prognostic significance of the MECT1-MAML2 fusion oncogene.
- 2006
-
In: Genes, chromosomes & cancer. - : Wiley. - 1045-2257 .- 1098-2264. ; 45:5, s. 470-81
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Mucoepidermoid carcinomas (MECs) of the salivary and bronchial glands are characterized by a recurrent t(11;19)(q21;p13) translocation resulting in a MECT1-MAML2 fusion in which the CREB-binding domain of the CREB coactivator MECT1 (also known as CRTC1, TORC1 or WAMTP1) is fused to the transactivation domain of the Notch coactivator MAML2. To gain further insights into the molecular pathogenesis of MECs, we cytogenetically and molecularly characterized a series of 29 MECs. A t(11;19) and/or an MECT1-MAML2 fusion was detected in more than 55% of the tumors. Several cases with cryptic rearrangements that resulted in gene fusions were detected. In fusion-negative MECs, the most common aberration was a single or multiple trisomies. Western blot and immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that the MECT1-MAML2 fusion protein was expressed in all MEC-specific cell types. In addition, cotransfection experiments showed that the fusion protein colocalized with CREB in homogeneously distributed nuclear granules. Analyses of potential downstream targets of the fusion revealed differential expression of the cAMP/CREB (FLT1 and NR4A2) and Notch (HES1 and HES5) target genes in fusion-positive and fusion-negative MECs. Moreover, clinical follow-up studies revealed that fusion-positive patients had a significantly lower risk of local recurrence, metastases, or tumor-related death compared to fusion-negative patients (P = 0.0012). When considering tumor-related deaths only, the estimated median survival for fusion-positive patients was greater than 10 years compared to 1.6 years for fusion-negative patients. These findings suggest that molecularly classifying MECs on the basis of an MECT1-MAML2 fusion is histopathologically and clinically relevant and that the fusion is a useful marker in predicting the biological behavior of MECs.
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| 13. |
- Bergman, Annika, et al.
(author)
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Germline mutation screening of the Saethre-Chotzen-associated genes TWIST1 and FGFR3 in families with BRCA1/2-negative breast cancer
- 2009
-
In: Scandinavian Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Hand Surgery. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0284-4311 .- 1651-2073. ; 43:5, s. 251-255
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Saethre-Chotzen syndrome is one of the most common craniosynostosis syndromes. It is an autosomal dominantly inherited disorder with variable expression that is caused by germline mutations in the TWIST1 gene or more rarely in the FGFR2 or FGFR3 genes. We have previously reported that patients with Saethre-Chotzen syndrome have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Here we have analysed a cohort of 26 women with BRCA1/2-negative hereditary breast cancer to study whether a proportion of these families might have mutations in Saethre-Chotzen-associated genes. DNA sequence analysis of TWIST1 showed no pathogenic mutations in the coding sequence in any of the 26 patients. MLPA (multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification)-analysis also showed no alterations in copy numbers in any of the craniofacial disorder genes MSX2, ALX4, RUNX2, EFNB1, TWIST1, FGFR1, FGFR2,FGFR3, or FGFR4. Taken together, our findings indicate that mutations in Saethre-Chotzen-associated genes are uncommon or absent in BRCA1/2-negative patients with hereditary breast cancer.
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| 14. |
- Eveson, JW, et al.
(author)
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Pleomorphic adenoma.
- 2005
-
In: World Health Organization Classification of Tumours. Pathology and genetics of head and neck tumors (Barnes L, Eveson JW, Reichart PA, Sidransky D, Eds.).IARC Press. ; , s. 254-258
-
Book chapter (other academic/artistic)
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| 15. |
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| 16. |
- Möller, Emely, et al.
(author)
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POU5F1, encoding a key regulator of stem cell pluripotency, is fused to EWSR1 in hidradenoma of the skin and mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the salivary glands
- 2008
-
In: Journal of Pathology. - : Wiley. - 1096-9896 .- 0022-3417. ; 215:1, s. 78-86
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The EWSR1 gene is known to play a crucial role in the development of a number of different bone and soft tissue tumours, notably Ewing's sarcoma. POU5F1 is expressed during early development to maintain the totipotent status of embryonic stem and germ cells. In the present study, we report the fusion of EWSR1 and POU5F1 in two types of epithelial tumours: hidradenoma of the skin and mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the salivary glands. This finding not only broadens considerably the spectrum of neoplasms associated with EWSR1 fusion genes but also strengthens the evidence for shared pathogenetic mechanisms in the development of adnexal and salivary gland tumours. Reminiscent of the previously reported fusion genes involving EWSR1, the identified transcript is predicted to encode a chimeric protein consisting of the EWSR1 amino-terminal domain and the POU5F1 carboxy-terminal domain. We assessed the transcriptional activation potential of the chimera compared to the wild-type proteins, as well as activation of transcription through the oct/sox composite element known to bind POU5F1. Among other POU5F1 target genes, this element is present in the promoter of NANOG and in the distal enhancer of POU5F1 itself. Our results show that although the chimera is capable of significant transcriptional activation, it may in fact convey a negative regulatory effect on target genes.
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| 17. |
- Persson, Fredrik, 1973, et al.
(author)
-
High-resolution array CGH analysis of salivary gland tumors reveals fusion and amplification of the FGFR1 and PLAG1 genes in ring chromosomes
- 2008
-
In: Oncogene. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0950-9232 .- 1476-5594. ; 27:21, s. 3072-3080
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We have previously identified a subgroup of pleomorphic salivary gland adenomas with ring chromosomes of uncertain derivation. Here, we have used spectral karyotyping (SKY), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and high-resolution oligonucleotide array-CGH to determine the origin and content of these rings and to identify genes disrupted as a result of ring formation. Of 16 tumors with rings, 11 were derived from chromosome 8, 3 from chromosome 5 and 1 each from chromosomes 1, 6 and 9. Array-CGH revealed that 10/11 r(8) consisted of amplification of a 19 Mb pericentromeric segment with recurrent breakpoints in FGFR1 in 8p12 and in PLAG1 in 8q12.1. Molecular analyses revealed that ring formation consistently generated novel FGFR1-PLAG1 gene fusions in which the 5'-part of FGFR1 is linked to the coding sequence of PLAG1. An alternative mechanism of PLAG1 activation was found in tumors with copy number gain of an intact PLAG1 gene. Rings derived from chromosomes 1, 5, 6 or 9 did not result in gene fusions, but rather resulted in losses indicative of the involvement of putative tumor suppressor genes on 8p, 5p, 5q and/or 6q. Our findings also reveal a novel mechanism by which FGFR1 contributes to oncogenesis and further illustrate the versatility of the FGFR1 and PLAG1 genes in tumorigenesis.
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| 18. |
- Persson, Fredrik, 1973, et al.
(author)
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High-resolution genomic profiling of adenomas and carcinomas of the salivary glands reveals amplification, rearrangement, and fusion of HMGA2
- 2009
-
In: Genes Chromosomes Cancer. - : Wiley. - 1098-2264 .- 1045-2257. ; 48:1, s. 69-82
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (Ca-ex-PA) is an epithelial malignancy developing within a benign salivary gland pleomorphic adenoma (PA). Here we have used genome-wide, high-resolution array-CGH, and fluorescence in situ hybridization to identify genes amplified in double min chromosomes and homogeneously staining regions in PA and Ca-ex-PA and to identify additional genomic imbalances characteristic of these tumor types. Ten of the 16 tumors analyzed showed amplification/gain of a 30-kb minimal common region, consisting of the 5'-part of HMGA2 (encoding the three DNA-binding domains). Coamplification of MDM2 was found in nine tumors. Five tumors had cryptic HMGA2-WIF1 gene fusions with amplification of the fusion oncogene in four tumors. Expression analysis of eight amplified candidate genes in 12q revealed that tumors with amplification/rearrangement of HMGA2 and MDM2 had significantly higher expression levels when compared with tumors without amplification. Analysis of individual HMGA2 exons showed that the expression of exons 3-5 were substantially reduced when compared with exons 1-2 in 9 of 10 tumors with HMGA2 activation, indicating that gene fusions and rearrangements of HMGA2 are common in tumors with amplification. In addition, recurrent amplifications/gains of 1q11-q32.1, 2p16.1-p12, 8q12.1, 8q22-24.1, and 20, and losses of 1p21.3-p21.1, 5q23.2-q31.2, 8p, 10q21.3, and 15q11.2 were identified. Collectively, our results identify HMGA2 and MDM2 as amplification targets in PA and Ca-ex-PA and suggest that amplification of 12q genes (in particular MDM2), deletions of 5q23.2-q31.2, gains of 8q12.1 (PLAG1) and 8q22.1-q24.1 (MYC), and amplification of ERBB2 may be of importance for malignant transformation of benign PA.
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| 19. |
- Persson, Marta, 1979, et al.
(author)
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Recurrent fusion of MYB and NFIB transcription factor genes in carcinomas of the breast and head and neck
- 2009
-
In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. - : Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. - 1091-6490 .- 0027-8424. ; 106:44, s. 18740-4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The transcription factor gene MYB was identified recently as an oncogene that is rearranged/duplicated in some human leukemias. Here we describe a new mechanism of activation of MYB in human cancer involving gene fusion. We show that the t(6;9)(q22-23;p23-24) translocation in adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACC) of the breast and head and neck consistently results in fusions encoding chimeric transcripts predominantly consisting of MYB exon 14 linked to the last coding exon(s) of NFIB. The minimal common part of MYB deleted as the result of fusion was exon 15 including the 3'-UTR, which contains several highly conserved target sites for miR-15a/16 and miR-150 microRNAs. These microRNAs recently were shown to regulate MYB expression negatively. We suggest that deletion of these target sites may disrupt repression of MYB leading to overexpression of MYB-NFIB transcripts and protein and to activation of critical MYB targets, including genes associated with apoptosis, cell cycle control, cell growth/angiogenesis, and cell adhesion. Forced overexpression of miR-15a/16 and miR-150 in primary fusion-positive ACC cells did not significantly alter the expression of MYB as compared with leukemic cells with MYB activation/duplication. Our data indicate that the MYB-NFIB fusion is a hallmark of ACC and that deregulation of the expression of MYB and its target genes is a key oncogenic event in the pathogenesis of ACC. Our findings also suggest that the gain-of-function activity resulting from the MYB-NFIB fusion is a candidate therapeutic target.
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| 20. |
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| 21. |
- Sahlin, Pelle, et al.
(author)
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Women with Saethre-Chotzen syndrome are at increased risk of breast cancer.
- 2007
-
In: Genes, chromosomes & cancer. - : Wiley. - 1045-2257 .- 1098-2264. ; 46:7, s. 656-60
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Saethre-Chotzen syndrome is an autosomal, dominantly inherited craniosynostosis caused by mutations in the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor gene TWIST1. This syndrome has hitherto not been associated with an increased risk of cancer. However, recent studies, using a murine breast tumor model, have shown that Twist may act as a key regulator of metastasis and that the gene is overexpressed in subsets of sporadic human breast cancers. Here, we report a novel association between the Saethre-Chotzen syndrome and breast cancer. In 15 Swedish Saethre-Chotzen families, 15 of 29 (52%) women carriers over the age of 25 had developed breast cancer. At least four patients developed breast cancer before 40 years of age, and five between 40 and 50 years of age. The observed cases with breast cancer (n = 15) are significantly higher than expected (n = 0.89), which gives a standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of 16.80 (95% CI 1.54-32.06). Our finding of a high frequency of breast cancer in women with the Saethre-Chotzen syndrome identifies breast cancer as an important and previously unrecognized symptom characteristic of this syndrome. The results strongly suggest that women carriers of this syndrome would benefit from genetic counseling and enrolment in surveillance programs including yearly mammography. Our results also indicate that the TWIST1 gene may be a novel breast cancer susceptibility gene. Additional studies are, however, necessary to reveal the mechanism by which TWIST1 may predispose to early onset breast cancer in Saethre-Chotzen patients.
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| 22. |
- Stenman, Göran, 1953
(author)
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Fusion oncogenes and tumor type specificity--insights from salivary gland tumors
- 2005
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In: Semin Cancer Biol. ; 15:3, s. 224-35
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Salivary gland tumors are frequently characterized by recurrent chromosome translocations, which have recently been shown to result in pathogenetically relevant fusion oncogenes. These genes encode novel fusion proteins as well as ectopically expressed normal or truncated proteins, and are found in both benign and malignant salivary gland tumors. The major targets of the translocations are DNA-binding transcription factors (PLAG1 and HMGA2) involved in growth factor signaling and cell cycle regulation, and coactivators of the Notch (MAML2) and cAMP (TORC1) signaling pathways. Identification of these fusion oncogenes has contributed to our knowledge of molecular pathways leading to epithelial tumors in general, and to salivary gland tumors in particular. Interestingly, the fusions in salivary gland tumors do not seem to be as tumor type specific as those in leukemias and sarcomas. Instead, they may function by activating basic transformation pathways that can function in multiple cell types. The downstream gene products of these fusions will be important targets for development of new intracellular therapeutic strategies.
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| 23. |
- Winnes, Marta, 1979, et al.
(author)
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Frequent fusion of the CRTC1 and MAML2 genes in clear cell variants of cutaneous hidradenomas
- 2007
-
In: Genes Chromosomes Cancer. - : Wiley. - 1098-2264 .- 1045-2257. ; 46:6, s. 559-563
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Fusion of the CREB regulated transcription coactivator CRTC1 (a.k.a. MECT1, TORC1, or WAMTP1) to the Notch coactivator MAML2 is a characteristic feature of low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinomas of salivary and bronchial glands. The CRTC1-MAML2 fusion protein acts by inducing transcription of cAMP/CREB target genes, and this activity is crucial for the transforming properties of the protein. Here we show that the CRTC1-MAML2 gene fusion is also frequent in benign hidradenomas of the skin. FISH and RT-PCR analyses revealed that hidradenomas are genetically heterogeneous, and that 10 of the 20 tumors analyzed (50%) contained the CRTC1-MAML2 gene fusion and expressed the resulting fusion transcript. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated expression of the fusion protein in the majority of tumor cells, including clear cells, poroid cells, and cells with epidermoid and ductal differentiation. In addition, we could show that all fusion-positive tumors were morphologically distinguished by the presence of more or less abundant areas of clear cells whereas all fusion-negative tumors lacked clear cells. Our findings thus demonstrate that the CRTC1-MAML2 gene fusion is frequent in hidradenomas and is associated with clear cell variants of this tumor. Taken together, the present and previous observations indicate that the CRTC1-MAML2 fusion is etiologically linked to benign and low-grade malignant tumors originating from diverse exocrine glands rather than being linked to a separate tumor entity.
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| 24. |
- Winnes, Marta, 1979, et al.
(author)
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Molecular genetic analyses of the TMPRSS2-ERG and TMPRSS2-ETV1 gene fusions in 50 cases of prostate cancer.
- 2007
-
In: Oncology Reports. ; 17, s. 1033-1036
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Recently, gene fusions between the androgen responsive gene TMPRSS2 and members of the ETS-family of DNA-binding transcription factor genes were found in prostate cancer. Recurrent fusions were identified between the 5'-noncoding region of TMPRSS2 and ERG, or less frequently ETV1 or ETV4, resulting in overexpression of normal or truncated ETS-proteins. Herein, we have analyzed a series of 50 prostate cancer samples for expression of TPRSS2-ERG and TMPRSS2-ETV1 fusion transcripts. RT-PCR analysis revealed TMPRSS2-ERG fusion transcripts in 18 of the 50 tumors (36%). None of the tumors expressed a TMPRSS2-ETV1 fusion. Our findings show that the TMPRSS2-ERG fusion is common in prostate cancer and that the related TMPRSS2-ETV1 fusion is very rare. However, the frequency of ERG-fusions in the present study is somewhat lower than previously observed, indicating heterogeneity with regard to expression of ETS-gene fusions in subsets of prostate cancers. Moreover, clinical follow-up studies showed a clear tendency that fusion-positive tumors were associated with lower Gleason grade and better survival than fusion-negative tumors. Our findings suggest that ERG gene fusions might be of prognostic significance in prostate cancer.
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| 25. |
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