Project description:The identification of subtype-specific translocations has revolutionized diagnostics of sarcoma and provided new insight into oncogenesis. We used RNA-Seq to investigate samples diagnosed as small round cell tumors of bone, possibly Ewing sarcoma, but lacking the canonical EWSR1-ETS translocation. A new fusion was observed between the BCL6 co-repressor (BCOR) and the testis specific cyclin B3 (CCNB3) genes on chromosome X. RNA-Seq results were confirmed by RT-PCR and cloning the tumor-specific genomic translocation breakpoints. 24 BCOR-CCNB3-positive tumors were identified among a series of 594 sarcomas. Gene profiling experiments indicate that BCOR-CCNB3-positive cases are biologically distinct from other sarcomas, particularly EwingM-bM-^@M-^Ys sarcoma. Finally, we show that CCNB3 immunohistochemistry is a powerful diagnostic marker for this group of sarcoma and that over-expression of BCOR-CCNB3 or of a truncated CCNB3 activates S-phase in NIH3T3 cells. Thus the intrachromosomal X fusion described here represents a new subtype of bone sarcoma caused by a novel gene fusion mechanism. Comparison of expression profiles of 10 BCOR-CCNB3 samples (plus 4 EWS-FLI1 Ewing sarcomas samples as control) with publicly available profiles of other tumor types.
Project description:The identification of subtype-specific translocations has revolutionized diagnostics of sarcoma and provided new insight into oncogenesis. We used RNA-Seq to investigate samples diagnosed as small round cell tumors of bone, possibly Ewing sarcoma, but lacking the canonical EWSR1-ETS translocation. A new fusion was observed between the BCL6 co-repressor (BCOR) and the testis specific cyclin B3 (CCNB3) genes on chromosome X. RNA-Seq results were confirmed by RT-PCR and cloning the tumor-specific genomic translocation breakpoints. 24 BCOR-CCNB3-positive tumors were identified among a series of 594 sarcomas. Gene profiling experiments indicate that BCOR-CCNB3-positive cases are biologically distinct from other sarcomas, particularly Ewing’s sarcoma. Finally, we show that CCNB3 immunohistochemistry is a powerful diagnostic marker for this group of sarcoma and that over-expression of BCOR-CCNB3 or of a truncated CCNB3 activates S-phase in NIH3T3 cells. Thus the intrachromosomal X fusion described here represents a new subtype of bone sarcoma caused by a novel gene fusion mechanism.
Project description:The concept of Ewing family of tumors (EFT), characterized by FET-ETS fusions, has been recently challenged by the description of Ewing-like tumors with different gene fusions. Here we investigate the similarities and differences of FET-ETS, BCOR-CCNB3, CIC-DUX4 and EWSR1-NFATc2 tumors samples with a number of other sarcomas. Unsupervised clustering of gene expression profiles fully discriminates these four molecular entities. Specific gene signatures and pathways were further validated in model cell lines. While a clear inflammatory signature characterizes EWSR1-NFATc2 tumors, BCOR-CCNB3 and CIC-DUX4 exhibit high expression of homeobox and ETS protein families, respectively. We strongly suggest that abnormalities of chromatin remodeling may gather CIC-DUX4 and BCOR-CCNB3 tumors with rhabdoid tumors and synovial sarcomas.
Project description:The concept of Ewing family of tumors (EFT), characterized by FET-ETS fusions, has been recently challenged by the description of Ewing-like tumors with different gene fusions. Here we investigate the similarities and differences of FET-ETS, BCOR-CCNB3, CIC-DUX4 and EWSR1-NFATc2 tumors samples with a number of other sarcomas. Unsupervised clustering of gene expression profiles fully discriminates these four molecular entities. Specific gene signatures and pathways were further validated in model cell lines. While a clear inflammatory signature characterizes EWSR1-NFATc2 tumors, BCOR-CCNB3 and CIC-DUX4 exhibit high expression of homeobox and ETS protein families, respectively. We strongly suggest that abnormalities of chromatin remodeling may gather CIC-DUX4 and BCOR-CCNB3 tumors with rhabdoid tumors and synovial sarcomas. This dataset conains 14 CIC-DUX4 and 7 EWSR1-NFATc2 tumor samples as well as Human mesenchymal cell line expressing EWSR1-NFATc2 (duplicates) or mock treated (duplicates) and IB120 CIC-DUX4 cell line expressing an shRNA directed against CIC-DUX4 (4 replicates) or mock treated (duplicates).
Project description:Sarcoma represents a highly heterogeneous group of tumors. We report here the first unbiased and systematic search for gene fusions and analysis of transcriptomic profiles in 100 monomorphic sarcomas cases using RNA-sequencing profiling. Fusion genes were detected in two thirds of samples. Similarly to fusion genes such as PAX3/7-FOXO1, EWSR1/FUS-ETS, SS18-SSX, BRD3/4-NUTM1 or EWSR1/FUS/TAF15-NR4A3 characterizing well-defined entities, we show that all sarcomas displaying CIC fusions- whatever their fusion partner (being DUX4, NUTM1 or FOXO4) - form a transcriptionally homogeneous group of tumors. Likewise, tumors with either a BCOR fusion (with CCNB3, MAML3 or ZC3H7B partners) or with a BCOR internal duplication form a single biological entity. We also found that EML4-ALK fusions also characterize a homogeneous infantile fibrosarcoma subgroup. In contrast, fusions like VGLL2-NCOA2/CITED2, TMP3/TRP-NTRK1 or ETV6-NTRK3 are observed in more heterogeneous tumors. Finally, we also describe a new group of bone sarcomas characterized by EWSR1- or FUS-TFCP2 fusions.
Project description:Ewings Sarcoma (ES) belongs to the group of bone cancers defined by the existence of a certain EWS-ETS fusion gene. In this study we use the model cell line CADO-ES1 (EWSR1-ERG fusion gene) to characterize the genomic structure in respect to CNV and fusion gene events.
Project description:In this study, we characterize the fusion protein produced by the EPC1-PHF1 translocation in Low Grade Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma (LG-ESS) and Ossifying FibroMyxoid Tumors (OFMT). We express the fusion protein and necessary controls in K562 Cells. The fusion protein assembles a mega-complex harboring both NuA4/TIP60 and PRC2 subunits and enzymatic activities and leads to mislocalization of chromatin marks in the genome, linked to aberrant gene expression.
Project description:In this study, we characterize the fusion protein produced by the EPC1-PHF1 translocation in Low Grade Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma (LG-ESS) and Ossifying FibroMyxoid Tumors (OFMT). We express the fusion protein and necessary controls in K562 Cells. The fusion protein assembles a mega-complex harboring both NuA4/TIP60 and PRC2 subunits and enzymatic activities and leads to mislocalization of chromatin marks in the genome, linked to aberrant gene expression.
Project description:In this study, we characterize the fusion protein produced by the EPC1-PHF1 translocation in Low Grade Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma (LG-ESS) and Ossifying FibroMyxoid Tumors (OFMT). We express the fusion protein and necessary controls in K562 Cells. The fusion protein assembles a mega-complex harboring both NuA4/TIP60 and PRC2 subunits and enzymatic activities and leads to mislocalization of chromatin marks in the genome, linked to aberrant gene expression.
Project description:Primitive neuroectodermal tumors of the central nervous system (CNS PNETs) are highly aggressive, poorly differentiated embryonal tumors occurring predominantly in young children. Using DNA methylation and gene expression profiling we have demonstrated that a significant proportion of institutionally diagnosed CNS PNETs display molecular profiles indistinguishable from those of various other well defined CNS tumor entities, facilitating diagnosis and appropiate therapy for children with these tumors. From the remaining fraction of CNS PNETs, we have identified four distinct new CNS tumor entities extending to other neuroepithelial tumors, each associated with a recurrent genetic alteration and particular histopathological and clinical features. These molecular entities, designated âCNS Neuroblastoma with FOXR2 activation (CNS NB FOXR2)â, âCNS Ewing sarcoma family tumor with CIC alteration (CNS EFT CIC)â, âCNS high grade neuroepithelial tumor with MN1 alteration (CNS HGNET MN1)â, and âCNS high grade neuroepithelial tumor with BCOR alteration (CNS HGNET BCOR)â, will enable meaningful clinical trials and the development of therapeutic strategies for patients affected by these poorly differentiated CNS tumors. 182 brain tumor samples were selected for RNA extraction and hybridization on Affymetrix Affymetrix Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 Arrays.