title: Amplification of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor-A (PDGFRA) gene occurs in oligodendrogliomas with grade IV anaplastic features.
abstract: Activation of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) signaling system has been implicated in the development and malignant progression of diffuse gliomas. Overexpression of PDGF system components, particularly the alpha subtype receptor (PDGFRA), is common in glial tumors, and PDGFRA gene amplification has been reported in glioblastomas. In order to address the incidence of PDGFRA gene amplification in a broad set of diffuse gliomas, we used Southern and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analyses to examine 167 astrocytic gliomas (20 grade III and 147 grade IV), 41 anaplastic oligodendrogliomas, and 29 anaplastic oligoastrocytomas. PDGFRA gene amplification was identified in 4 anaplastic oligodendrogliomas and in a single case of anaplastic oligoastrocytoma, but in none of the malignant astrocytomas. Each of the 5 tumors with PDGFRA amplification displayed features generally associated with grade IV malignancy in astrocytic tumors. Consequently, our data indicate that this gene alteration is restricted to tumors having oligodendroglial differentiation and highly anaplastic features.
authors.affiliation: Division of Laboratory Genetics, Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation, and Mayo Medical School, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: X Y
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hosek
authors.forename: B W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Scheithauer
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: James
mesh_terms: D015139:Blotting, Southern; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D002878:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1 / Q000235:genetics; D002888:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19 / Q000235:genetics; D005784:Gene Amplification; D018628:Gene Dosage; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D009837:Oligodendroglioma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D020796:Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D020796:Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha