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Salokas K, Dashi G, Varjosalo M. Decoding Oncofusions: Unveiling Mechanisms, Clinical Impact, and Prospects for Personalized Cancer Therapies. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3678. [PMID: 37509339 PMCID: PMC10377698 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15143678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated gene fusions, also known as oncofusions, have emerged as influential drivers of oncogenesis across a diverse range of cancer types. These genetic events occur via chromosomal translocations, deletions, and inversions, leading to the fusion of previously separate genes. Due to the drastic nature of these mutations, they often result in profound alterations of cellular behavior. The identification of oncofusions has revolutionized cancer research, with advancements in sequencing technologies facilitating the discovery of novel fusion events at an accelerated pace. Oncofusions exert their effects through the manipulation of critical cellular signaling pathways that regulate processes such as proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Extensive investigations have been conducted to understand the roles of oncofusions in solid tumors, leukemias, and lymphomas. Large-scale initiatives, including the Cancer Genome Atlas, have played a pivotal role in unraveling the landscape of oncofusions by characterizing a vast number of cancer samples across different tumor types. While validating the functional relevance of oncofusions remains a challenge, even non-driver mutations can hold significance in cancer treatment. Oncofusions have demonstrated potential value in the context of immunotherapy through the production of neoantigens. Their clinical importance has been observed in both treatment and diagnostic settings, with specific fusion events serving as therapeutic targets or diagnostic markers. However, despite the progress made, there is still considerable untapped potential within the field of oncofusions. Further research and validation efforts are necessary to understand their effects on a functional basis and to exploit the new targeted treatment avenues offered by oncofusions. Through further functional and clinical studies, oncofusions will enable the advancement of precision medicine and the drive towards more effective and specific treatments for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kari Salokas
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Giovanna Dashi
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Markku Varjosalo
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
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Lin TT, Zhang T, Kitata RB, Liu T, Smith RD, Qian WJ, Shi T. Mass spectrometry-based targeted proteomics for analysis of protein mutations. Mass Spectrom Rev 2023; 42:796-821. [PMID: 34719806 PMCID: PMC9054944 DOI: 10.1002/mas.21741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Cancers are caused by accumulated DNA mutations. This recognition of the central role of mutations in cancer and recent advances in next-generation sequencing, has initiated the massive screening of clinical samples and the identification of 1000s of cancer-associated gene mutations. However, proteomic analysis of the expressed mutation products lags far behind genomic (transcriptomic) analysis. With comprehensive global proteomics analysis, only a small percentage of single nucleotide variants detected by DNA and RNA sequencing have been observed as single amino acid variants due to current technical limitations. Proteomic analysis of mutations is important with the potential to advance cancer biomarker development and the discovery of new therapeutic targets for more effective disease treatment. Targeted proteomics using selected reaction monitoring (also known as multiple reaction monitoring) and parallel reaction monitoring, has emerged as a powerful tool with significant advantages over global proteomics for analysis of protein mutations in terms of detection sensitivity, quantitation accuracy and overall practicality (e.g., reliable identification and the scale of quantification). Herein we review recent advances in the targeted proteomics technology for enhancing detection sensitivity and multiplexing capability and highlight its broad biomedical applications for analysis of protein mutations in human bodily fluids, tissues, and cell lines. Furthermore, we review recent applications of top-down proteomics for analysis of protein mutations. Unlike the commonly used bottom-up proteomics which requires digestion of proteins into peptides, top-down proteomics directly analyzes intact proteins for more precise characterization of mutation isoforms. Finally, general perspectives on the potential of achieving both high sensitivity and high sample throughput for large-scale targeted detection and quantification of important protein mutations are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tai-Tu Lin
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, USA
| | - Tong Zhang
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, USA
| | - Reta B. Kitata
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, USA
| | - Tao Liu
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, USA
| | - Richard D. Smith
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, USA
| | - Wei-Jun Qian
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, USA
| | - Tujin Shi
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, USA
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Cai J, Huang X, Yin M, Pan C, Song L, Zhan Z, Chen J, Gao Y, Tang J, Li Y, Shen S. A novel fusion gene PLEKHA6-NTRK3 in langerhans cell histiocytosis. Int J Cancer 2018; 144:117-124. [PMID: 30098202 PMCID: PMC6587734 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.31636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is the most common histiocytosis with constitutive activation of the RAS–RAF–MEK–ERK (MAPKinase) cell signaling pathway. We analyzed 89 cases of BRAF and MAP2K1 mutations by Sanger sequencing, of which 18 cases showed that these two gene mutations are negative. Whole genome sequencing of suitable specimens in these negative cases revealed a translocation from the 3 intron of PLEKHA6 to the 13 intron of NTRK3 in one case. We identified that this translocation could cause a novel fusion mutation, PLEKHA6‐NTRK3. Overexpression of the PLEKHA6‐NTRK3 mutant in NIH 3T3 cells enhanced MAPKinase pathway activation, promote cell growth. Our result suggested that a new mutation need be included in LCH molecular screening panel to better define its prevalence in LCH. What's new? Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare immune and neoplastic disorder. While it is known as the most common histiocytosis with constitutive activation of the RAS‐RAF‐MEK‐ERK (MAPKinase) cell signaling pathway, its pathogenesis remains obscure. Here, whole‐genome sequencing of BRAF V600E‐negative and MAP2K1‐negative LCH cases revealed a translocation from the intron 3 of PLEKHA6 to the intron 13 of NTRK3 in one patient, identifying a novel fusion mutation. Overexpression of PLEKHA6‐NTRK3 in vitro enhanced MAPKinase pathway activation, promoting cell growth. The results support the inclusion of the fusion mutation in LCH molecular screening panel to better define its prevalence in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaoyang Cai
- Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Ministry of Health, Department of Hematology & Oncology, Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Xia Huang
- Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Ministry of Health, Department of Hematology & Oncology, Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Minzhi Yin
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Ci Pan
- Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Ministry of Health, Department of Hematology & Oncology, Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Lili Song
- Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Ministry of Health, Department of Hematology & Oncology, Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Zhiyan Zhan
- Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Ministry of Health, Department of Hematology & Oncology, Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Ministry of Health, Department of Hematology & Oncology, Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Yijin Gao
- Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Ministry of Health, Department of Hematology & Oncology, Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Jingyan Tang
- Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Ministry of Health, Department of Hematology & Oncology, Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Yanxin Li
- Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Ministry of Health, Department of Hematology & Oncology, Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Shuhong Shen
- Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Ministry of Health, Department of Hematology & Oncology, Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
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