A genetic analysis of PAX3-FKHR, the oncogene of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma

Cell Growth Differ. 1999 Dec;10(12):813-8.

Abstract

The PAX3-FKHR fusion protein of human alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma consists of the DNA-binding domains of PAX3 and the transcriptional activation domain of FKHR. It induces oncogenic transformation in cultures of chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEFs). PAX3-FKHR-transformed CEFs have been kept in continuous culture for more than 1 year; when quiescent, portions of the cultures differentiate into several distinct cell types. Deletion analysis suggests that both DNA binding and transcriptional activation are required for the induction of the PAX3-FKHR-transformed cellular phenotype. Mutant PAX3-FKHR proteins with reduced DNA binding or transactivation induce altered cellular morphologies and growth behavior distinct from that of CEFs expressing wild-type PAX3-FKHR. Mutant proteins that completely lack DNA binding or transactivation potential fail to transform.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic*
  • Chick Embryo
  • DNA / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Fibroblasts / cytology
  • Forkhead Box Protein O1
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Humans
  • Mutagenesis
  • Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Oncogene Proteins / metabolism*
  • PAX3 Transcription Factor
  • Paired Box Transcription Factors
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma, Alveolar / genetics*
  • Sequence Deletion
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Transcriptional Activation

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • FOXO1 protein, human
  • Forkhead Box Protein O1
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Oncogene Proteins
  • PAX3 Transcription Factor
  • PAX3 protein, human
  • Paired Box Transcription Factors
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Pax3 protein, mouse
  • DNA