Translocations in epithelial cancers.
Genomic translocations leading to the expression of chimeric transcripts characterize several hematologic, mesenchymal and epithelial malignancies. While several gene fusions have been linked to essential molecular events in hematologic malignancies, the identification and characterization of recurrent chimeric transcripts in epithelial cancers has been limited. However, the recent discovery of the recurrent gene fusions in prostate cancer has sparked a revitalization of the quest to identify novel rearrangements in epithelial malignancies. Here, the molecular mechanisms of gene fusions that drive several epithelial cancers and the recent technological advances that increase the speed and reliability of recurrent gene fusion discovery are explored.
Brenner
J Chad
JC
Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, 1400 E. Medical Center Drive, 5316 CCGC, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
Chinnaiyan
Arul M
AM
D000818:Animals; D056970:Co-Repressor Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D050939:Gene Fusion; D011495:Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase; D006801:Humans; D051788:Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein / Q000235:genetics; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D009375:Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / Q000235:genetics*; D009928:Organ Specificity; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics; D014178:Translocation, Genetic
D056970:Co-Repressor Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C430460:JAZF1 protein, human; C497422:KMT2A protein, human; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; C430461:SUZ12 protein, human; D014157:Transcription Factors; D051788:Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein; D011495:Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase