Detection of the PAX8-PPAR gamma fusion oncogene in both follicular thyroid carcinomas and adenomas.
Chromosomal translocations encoding fusion oncoproteins are common in hematological malignancies, sarcomas, and papillary thyroid carcinomas. A recent study of follicular thyroid carcinomas reported a novel chromosomal translocation, t(2;3)(q13;p25), that fused the thyroid-specific transcription factor PAX8 with a nuclear receptor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma). Herein we report the detection of this putative oncoprotein in 6 of 17 (35%) follicular thyroid carcinomas as well as in 6 of 11 (55%) follicular thyroid adenomas. Concordant expression of protein was found in 91% of those tumors in which PAX8-PPAR gamma mRNA was detected by RT-PCR, whereas a further 20% of follicular tumors were positive for PPAR gamma immunohistochemistry alone. Our findings suggest that the PAX8-PPAR gamma fusion protein promotes differentiated follicular thyroid neoplasia, although it is not sufficient per se for carcinogenesis.
Cheung
Linda
L
Cancer Genetics Unit, Kolling Institute, Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, New South Wales 2065, Australia.
Messina
Marinella
M
Gill
Anthony
A
Clarkson
Adele
A
Learoyd
Diana
D
Delbridge
Leigh
L
Wentworth
John
J
Philips
Jeanette
J
Clifton-Bligh
Roderick
R
Robinson
Bruce G
BG
D018263:Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D015870:Gene Expression; D015321:Gene Rearrangement; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D009857:Oncogenes; D000072636:PAX8 Transcription Factor; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D000072636:PAX8 Transcription Factor; C083325:PAX8 protein, human; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors