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Updated: May 7, 2026
11:42
Induction of Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transitions in Sarcoma Cells
Published on: April 7, 2017
Induction of sarcomas by mutant IDH2
Chao Lu1, Sriram Venneti, Altuna Akalin
1Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, USA;
Genes & Development
|September 26, 2013
Summary
Gain-of-function mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) drive chondrosarcoma by causing DNA hypermethylation. This epigenetic alteration impairs cell differentiation and promotes tumor formation, highlighting IDH mutations as key oncogenic drivers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Epigenetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Over 50% of chondrosarcoma patients have mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) or IDH2.
- IDH mutations are known to affect cellular metabolism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epigenetic consequences of IDH mutations in chondrosarcoma.
- To determine the oncogenic potential of mutant IDH2 in mesenchymal cells.
Main Methods:
- Genome-wide CpG methylation sequencing of chondrosarcoma biopsies.
- Expression of mutant IDH2 in murine mesenchymal progenitor cells.
- In vivo tumor formation studies.
- Measurement of 2-hydroxyglutarate production.
Main Results:
- IDH mutations were strongly associated with DNA hypermethylation specifically at CpG islands.
- Hypermethylated regions were enriched for genes involved in stem cell maintenance and lineage specification.
- Mutant IDH2 expression in cells caused DNA hypermethylation, impaired differentiation, and loss of contact inhibition.
- Mutant IDH2 induced undifferentiated sarcomas in vivo, with oncogenic potential correlating to 2-hydroxyglutarate production.
Conclusions:
- Neomorphic IDH2 mutations are oncogenic in mesenchymal cells.
- IDH-driven DNA hypermethylation contributes to chondrosarcoma development.
- Targeting IDH mutations or their downstream effects may offer therapeutic strategies.
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