title: Comparative expression profiling identifies an in vivo target gene signature with TFAP2B as a mediator of the survival function of PAX3/FKHR.
abstract: The chromosomal translocation t(2;13), characteristic for the aggressive childhood cancer alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (aRMS), generates the chimeric transcription factor PAX3/FKHR with a well known oncogenic role. However, the molecular mechanisms mediating essential pathophysiological functions remain poorly defined. Here, we used comparative expression profiling of PAX3/FKHR silencing in vitro and PAX3/FKHR-specific gene signatures in vivo to identify physiologically important target genes. Hereby, 51 activated genes, both novel and known, were identified. We also found repression of skeletal muscle-specific genes suggesting that PAX3/FKHR blocks further differentiation of aRMS cells. Importantly, TFAP2B was validated as direct target gene mediating the anti-apoptotic function of PAX3/FKHR. Hence, we developed a pathophysiologically relevant transcriptional profile of PAX3/FKHR and identified a critical target gene for aRMS development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ebauer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wachtel
authors.forename: F K
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Niggli
authors.forename: B W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Schäfer
mesh_terms: D002470:Cell Survival / Q000502:physiology*; D000071161:Forkhead Box Protein O1; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D000072041:PAX3 Transcription Factor; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D050656:Transcription Factor AP-2 / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: C085126:FOXO1 protein, human; D000071161:Forkhead Box Protein O1; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D000072041:PAX3 Transcription Factor; C489409:PAX3 protein, human; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors; C493677:TFAP2B protein, human; D050656:Transcription Factor AP-2