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Cytogenetics and experimental models of sarcomas
1Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115.
Current Opinion in Oncology
|July 1, 1994
Summary
Many sarcomas feature gene fusions from chromosome translocations, creating oncogenic transcription factors. This review details these fusion genes in specific sarcomas, revealing a common oncogenesis mechanism across diverse tumor types.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Sarcomas often exhibit characteristic chromosome translocations.
- These translocations lead to the fusion of genes from different chromosomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recently identified translocated genes in specific sarcomas.
- To elucidate the role of these fusion genes in oncogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of identified translocated genes.
- Analysis of the function of fusion gene products.
Main Results:
- Identified fusion genes in Ewing sarcoma, peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor, clear cell sarcoma, alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, and myxoid liposarcoma.
- Each fusion gene encodes a DNA transcription factor.
Conclusions:
- Fusion genes act as transcription factors, regulating other genes.
- A common mechanism of oncogenesis is defined in histologically diverse sarcomas.