Identification of PAX3-FKHR-regulated genes differentially expressed between alveolar and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma: Focus on MYCN as a biologically relevant target

Gabriela E. Mercado, Shujuan J. Xia, Chune Zhang, Eun Hyun Ahn, Donna M. Gustafson, Marick Laé, Marc Ladanyi, Frederic G. Barr

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

56 Scopus citations

Abstract

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a family of myogenic soft tissue tumors subdivided into two main subtypes: alveolar (ARMS) and embryonal (ERMS). ARMS is characterized by a frequent 2; 13 chromosomal translocation that creates a PAX3-FKHR fusion transcription factor. To identify downstream targets of PAX3-FKHR, we introduced an inducible form of PAX3-FKHR into human RD ERMS cells. Microarray analysis identified 39 genes (29 upregulated and 10 downregulated) that are modulated by PAX3-FKHR in RD cells and differentially expressed between ERMS and PAX3-FKHR-positive ARMS tumors. Functional annotation demonstrated that genes involved in regulation of transcription and development, particularly neurogenesis, are represented in this group. MYCN was one notable neural-related transcription factor-encoding gene identified in this set, and its regulation by PAX3-FKHR was further confirmed at the RNA and protein levels. The findings of cycloheximide inhibition and time-course studies are consistent with the hypothesis that the PAX3-FKHR protein acts directly on the MYCN gene at the transcriptional level. Functional studies established that MYCN cooperates with PAX3-FKHR to enhance oncogenic activity. In conclusion, we identified a selected set of biologically relevant genes modulated by PAX3-FKHR, and demonstrated that PAX3-FKHR contributes to the expression of MYCN and in turn MYCN collaborates with PAX3-FKHR in tumorigenesis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)510-520
Number of pages11
JournalGenes Chromosomes and Cancer
Volume47
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2008
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Genetics
  • Cancer Research

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