Project description:Sarcoma is a rare form of tumor characterized by the presence of oncogenic fusion, that is often the only aberration identified. U133A Affymetrix arrays were used to identify the expression signature of 3 different types of sarcoma: AFH, CCS and GI-CCS harboring the EWSR1-CREB1 and EWSR1-ATF1 chromosomal translocation.
Project description:We report RNA-seq for rare 3 rare entities of sarcoma tumors (AFH, CCS and GI-CCS) expressing the EWSR1-CREB1 and EWSR1-ATF1 oncogenic fusion
Project description:Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling of 20 intracranial mesenchymal tumors with FET-CREB fusions encompassing both intracranial myxoid mesenchymal tumors and intracranial angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma-like neoplasms. The Illumina Infinium EPIC 850k Human DNA Methylation Beadchip was used to obtain DNA methylation profiles across approximately 850,000 CpG sites of genomic DNA extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissue of 20 intracranial mesenchymal tumors with FET-CREB fusions.
Project description:Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling of 4 gliomas with EWSR1-BEND fusions with histologic features resembling astroblastoma. The Illumina Infinium EPIC 850k Human DNA Methylation Beadchip was used to obtain DNA methylation profiles across approximately 850,000 CpG sites of genomic DNA extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissue of 4 gliomas with EWSR1-BEND2 fusions.
Project description:To get insight in the functional role of EGR2 for Ewing sarcoma, we performed a transcriptional profiling of Ewing sarcoma cells after knockdown of EGR2 and compared the resulting transcriptional signature with that of EWSR1-FLI1-silenced Ewing sarcoma cells. In accordance with the strong EGR2-induction by EWSR1-FLI1, both genes highly significantly overlap in their transcriptional signatures. Gene-set enrichment analyses (GSEA) and DAVID (Database for Annotation, Visualisation and Integrated Discovery) gene ontology analyses indicated a strong impact of EGR2 on cholesterol and lipid biosynthesis resembling its function in orchestrating lipid metabolism of myelinating Schwann cells. A673 and SK-N-MC Ewing sarcoma cells were transfected with specific siRNAs directed against EGR2 or EWSR1-FLI1 or non-targeting control siRNA. 48 h thereafter RNA was harvested and processed for microarray analysis.
Project description:Identification of druggable targets is a prerequisite for developing targeted therapies against Ewing sarcoma. We report the identification of Protein Kinase C Beta (PRKCB) as a protein specifically and highly expressed in Ewing sarcoma as compared to other pediatric cancers. Its transcriptional activation is directly regulated by the EWSR1-FLI1 oncogene. Getting insights in PRKCB activity we show that, together with PRKCA, it is responsible for the phosphorylation of histone H3T6, allowing global maintenance of H3K4 trimethylation on a variety of gene promoters. In the long term, PRKCB RNA interference induces apoptosis in vitro. More importantly, in xenograft mice models, complete impairment of tumor engraftment and even tumor regression were observed upon PRKCB inhibition, highlighting PRKCB as a most valuable therapeutic target. Deciphering PRKCB roles in Ewing sarcoma using expression profiling, we found a strong overlap with genes modulated by EWSR1-FLI1 and an involvement of RPKCB in regulating crucial signaling pathways. Altogether, we show that PRKCB may have two important independent functions and should be considered as highly valuable for understanding Ewing sarcoma biology and as a promising target for new therapeutic approaches in Ewing sarcoma. A673 Ewing cell line was treated for 72 hours by either control siRNA or siRNA directed against PRKCB or EWSR1-FLI1. Total RNAs were extracted and hybridized on HuGene1.1STv1 Affymetrix Arrays. Normalisation was performed using specific Brainarray Enrtez gene CDF file (v14.1).
Project description:Ewing sarcoma, a rare and aggressive pediatric cancer, is characterized by chromosomal translocations that give rise to chimeric transcription factors. The most frequent of these chromosomal translocations is the t(11;22) that produces the fusion of the EWSR1 and FLI1 genes to generate the chimeric transcription factor EWSR1::FLI1. EWSR1::FLI1 is the main oncogenic event in Ewing's sarcoma. Recently, it has been proposed that EWSR1::FLI1 levels may fluctuate in Ewing sarcoma cells, giving rise to two cell populations: cells expressing low levels of EWSR1::FLI1 are characterized by a more migratory and invasive phenotype, while cells expressing high levels of EWSR1::FLI1 are more proliferative. The identification and functional characterization of EWSR1::FLI1 gene targets is therefore relevant to understanding the pathobiology of Ewing sarcoma, which in turn could contribute to the identification of new therapeutic targets. Using this approach, we have observed that CD44, a transmembrane protein involved in cell adhesion and migration and associated with metastasis in various cancer types, is overexpressed in the EWSR1::FLI1-low phenotype. Our results suggest that CD44 may play a role in regulating cell migration in Ewing sarcoma cells and thus contribute to the spread of tumor cells.