Expression of PAX 3 alternatively spliced transcripts and identification of two new isoforms in human tumors of neural crest origin.
The developmental gene PAX 3 is expressed in the early embryo in developing muscle and elements of the nervous system, including the brain. Since no one has investigated the expression of the isoforms of PAX 3 in the neuroectodermal tumors melanoma and small cell lung cancer (SCLC), we have carried out a comprehensive screening for the expression of the isoforms PAX 3a-e using RT-PCR in human melanoma cell lines, primary human ocular and secondary cutaneous melanomas. We have identified 2 new isoforms of PAX 3, g and h, which we have isolated, cloned and sequenced. Sets of primers for each isoform were designed and their specificity was confirmed by sequence analysis of the products. The isoforms PAX 3a-e were detected in all human cutaneous melanoma cell lines (8/8), but only PAX 3c (1/2) and PAX 3d (2/2) in ocular melanoma cell lines. The same PAX 3 isoforms were detected in more than 80% of human cutaneous melanomas: PAX 3a and b (15/17), PAX 3c (14/17), PAX 3d (16/17) and PAX 3e (15/17). In contrast the results for 7 SCLC cell lines were PAX 3a (0/7), PAX 3b (1/7), PAX 3c (3/7), PAX 3d (6/7), PAX 3e (2/7); 8/8 cutaneous melanoma cell lines and 8/8 ocular melanoma tissues, together with 14/17 cutaneous melanoma tissues screened, expressed the new isoform PAX 3g. All 8 cutaneous melanoma cell lines expressed PAX 3h, but it was not detectable in any of the tumor tissues (0/20). Neither of the 2 ocular melanoma cell lines expressed the 2 new isoforms. Comparison of the different amplicon staining intensities on a gel suggests that PAX 3c and PAX 3d are the predominant transcripts expressed, with relatively low expression of PAX 3e and PAX 3h. We propose that these and the 2 new isoforms we have discovered may be important in oncogenesis and differential diagnosis of melanomas or SCLC.
Parker
Craig J
CJ
Department of Biological Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom.
Shawcross
Susan G
SG
Li
Honggui
H
Wang
Qui-Yu
QY
Herrington
C Simon
CS
Kumar
Shant
S
MacKie
Rhona M
RM
Prime
Wendy
W
Rennie
Ian G
IG
Sisley
Karen
K
Kumar
Patricia
P
D017398:Alternative Splicing; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000235:genetics; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000737:chemistry; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D008545:Melanoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000556:secondary; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D000072041:PAX3 Transcription Factor; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000556:secondary; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D000072041:PAX3 Transcription Factor; C489409:PAX3 protein, human; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D014157:Transcription Factors; C068686:Pax3 protein, mouse