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Identification and characterization of mouse SSX genes: a multigene family on the X chromosome with restricted

Yao-Tseng Chen1, Birgit Alpen, Toshiro Ono

  • 1Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 10021, New York, NY, USA

Genomics
|November 13, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Researchers identified mouse SSX genes, similar to human cancer/testis antigens. These genes, normally in testes, are expressed in tumors, suggesting a role in cancer development.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The SSX gene family was initially identified in human synovial sarcoma.
  • SSX genes function as cancer/testis antigens, normally expressed in the testes but found in various human tumors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To clone and characterize the mouse ortholog of the human SSX gene.
  • To investigate the expression patterns of mouse SSX genes in normal tissues and tumors.

Main Methods:

  • cDNA cloning from mouse testis and tumors.
  • Sequence homology analysis to classify mouse SSX genes into subfamilies (Ssxa and Ssxb).
  • Analysis of mRNA expression in normal tissues and tumors.

Main Results:

  • Mouse SSX genes were cloned and divided into Ssxa (one member) and Ssxb (12 members) subfamilies.
  • Both Ssxa and Ssxb genes are located on chromosome X and show restricted expression in normal mouse testes.
  • Similar to human tumors, some, but not all, Ssxb genes were found to be expressed in mouse tumors.

Conclusions:

  • The study successfully identified and characterized mouse SSX genes, providing a model for studying human SSX function.
  • The conserved domains (KRAB and SSX-RD) and similar expression patterns in tumors suggest a conserved role for SSX genes in both human and mouse oncogenesis.

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