Detection of the PAX8-PPAR gamma fusion oncogene in both follicular thyroid carcinomas and adenomas

Linda Cheung; Marinella Messina; Anthony Gill; Adele Clarkson; Diana Learoyd; Leigh Delbridge; John Wentworth; Jeanette Philips; Roderick Clifton-Bligh; Bruce G Robinson

doi:10.1210/jc.2002-021020

Detection of the PAX8-PPAR gamma fusion oncogene in both follicular thyroid carcinomas and adenomas

J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2003 Jan;88(1):354-7. doi: 10.1210/jc.2002-021020.

Authors

Linda Cheung¹, Marinella Messina, Anthony Gill, Adele Clarkson, Diana Learoyd, Leigh Delbridge, John Wentworth, Jeanette Philips, Roderick Clifton-Bligh, Bruce G Robinson

Affiliation

¹ Cancer Genetics Unit, Kolling Institute, Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, New South Wales 2065, Australia.

PMID: 12519876
DOI: 10.1210/jc.2002-021020

Abstract

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.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / genetics*
Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / metabolism
Carcinoma, Papillary / genetics*
Carcinoma, Papillary / metabolism
DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
Gene Expression
Gene Rearrangement
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Nuclear Proteins*
Oncogenes*
PAX8 Transcription Factor
Paired Box Transcription Factors
RNA, Messenger / metabolism
Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / genetics*
Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / metabolism
Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics*
Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
Thyroid Neoplasms / genetics*
Thyroid Neoplasms / metabolism
Tissue Distribution
Trans-Activators / genetics*
Transcription Factors / genetics*
Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

DNA-Binding Proteins
Nuclear Proteins
PAX8 Transcription Factor
PAX8 protein, human
Paired Box Transcription Factors
RNA, Messenger
Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
Recombinant Fusion Proteins
Trans-Activators
Transcription Factors