Cancer/testis antigen CSAGE is concurrently expressed with MAGE in chondrosarcoma
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Published on: September 15, 2023
Chuzhao Lin1, Solida Mak, Patricia A Meitner
1Department of Orthopaedics, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, RI, USA.
Abstract:
Differential display-polymerase chain reaction was used to compare gene expression between human chondrosarcoma cell lines and normal cartilage. A new gene, CSAGE, has been cloned and belongs to a gene family that includes the taxol resistance associated gene (TRAG)-3. CSAGE, like TRAG-3, does not confer resistance to taxol when transfected in vitro. Both genes have alternatively spliced variants. CSAGE and TRAG-3 are expressed in chondrosarcoma, melanoma, and cartilage and testis, but not in other normal tissues. TRAG-3 has been reported to be a cancer/testis antigen. Our results suggest that CSAGE belongs to the growing list of cancer/testis antigens as well. In all of the CSAGE positive samples, the melanoma antigen gene family was also expressed. This is the first report on the expression of cancer/testis antigens in chondrosarcoma.
Insights
Researchers identified a novel gene, CSAGE, in human chondrosarcoma, which is expressed in specific cancers and normal tissues. This finding suggests CSAGE may be a new cancer/testis antigen, expanding the known list of such biomarkers.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
- Genetics
Background:
- Chondrosarcoma is a rare bone cancer with limited treatment options.
- Cancer/testis antigens are a class of tumor antigens expressed in various cancers and normal testis tissue.
- Understanding novel gene expression in chondrosarcoma can reveal potential diagnostic or therapeutic targets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize novel genes expressed in human chondrosarcoma.
- To investigate the potential role of the newly identified CSAGE gene as a cancer/testis antigen.
- To compare gene expression profiles between chondrosarcoma and normal cartilage.
Main Methods:
- Differential display-polymerase chain reaction (DD-PCR) was employed to compare gene expression.
- Gene cloning and in vitro transfection assays were performed.
- Expression analysis of CSAGE and TRAG-3 in various human tissues and cell lines was conducted.
Main Results:
- A novel gene, CSAGE, was cloned and found to be homologous to the taxol resistance associated gene (TRAG)-3.
- CSAGE and TRAG-3 exhibit alternatively spliced variants and are expressed in chondrosarcoma, melanoma, cartilage, and testis.
- CSAGE did not confer taxol resistance in vitro, and its expression in chondrosarcoma suggests it is a cancer/testis antigen.
- Melanoma antigen gene family expression was observed in all CSAGE-positive samples.
Conclusions:
- CSAGE represents a novel cancer/testis antigen, expanding the known repertoire of such biomarkers.
- This study provides the first evidence of cancer/testis antigen expression in chondrosarcoma.
- The findings may pave the way for new diagnostic strategies or therapeutic interventions for chondrosarcoma.