Genomic gain of 5p15 leads to over-expression of Misu (NSUN2) in breast cancer

• Published in: Cancer letters Vol. 289; no. 1; pp. 71 - 80
• Main Authors: Frye, Michaela, Dragoni, Ilaria, Chin, Suet-Feung, Spiteri, Immaculada, Kurowski, Agata, Provenzano, Elena, Green, Andrew, Ellis, Ian O, Grimmer, Donna, Teschendorff, Andrew, Zouboulis, Christos C, Caldas, Carlos, Watt, Fiona M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01-03-2010; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Blotting, Western; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - genetics; Cell cycle; Cell Survival; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 5 - genetics; Female; Gene amplification; Gene Dosage; Gene Expression Profiling; Genes; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genome, Human - genetics; Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine; Humans; Kinases; Medical research; Methyltransferases - genetics; Methyltransferases - metabolism; Myc; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA methyltransferase; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Up-Regulation; RNA methyltransferase; Gene amplification; Breast cancer; Myc
• ISSN: 0304-3835; 1872-7980
• DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2009.08.004

Abstract We have examined expression of the Myc target gene Misu (NSUN2) in breast cancer. There was extensive copy number gain, and increased mRNA and protein levels, of Misu in approximately one third of breast cancer cell lines and primary tumours examined, irrespective of tumour subtype. Genes on 5p15.31-33, where Misu is located, showed evolutionary synteny. siRNA-mediated knockdown of Misu reduced cell number in over half of the cell lines tested, irrespective of estrogen receptor status. We conclude that Misu is up-regulated in a substantial proportion of breast cancers and has therapeutic potential as a drug target.