Identification of Down's syndrome critical locus gene SIM2-s as a drug therapy target for solid tumors

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2003 Apr 15;100(8):4760-5. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0831000100. Epub 2003 Apr 3.

Abstract

We report here a cancer drug therapy use of a gene involved in Down's syndrome. Using bioinformatics approaches, we recently predicted Single Minded 2 gene (SIM2) from Down's syndrome critical region to be specific to certain solid tumors. Involvement of SIM2 in solid tumors has not previously been reported. Intrigued by a possible association between a Down's syndrome gene and solid tumors, we monitored SIM2 expression in solid tumors. Isoform-specific expression of SIM2 short-form (SIM2-s) was seen selectively in colon, prostate, and pancreatic carcinomas but not in breast, lung, or ovarian carcinomas nor in most normal tissues. In colon tumors, SIM2-s expression was seen in early stages. Antisense inhibition of SIM2-s expression in a colon cancer cell line caused inhibition of gene expression, growth inhibition, and apoptosis. The administration of the antisense, but not the control, oligonucleotides caused a pronounced inhibition of tumor growth in nude mice with no major toxicity. Our findings provide a strong rationale for the genes-to-drugs paradigm, establish SIM2-s as a molecular target for cancer therapeutics, and may further understanding of the cancer risk of Down's syndrome patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Colonic Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Colonic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Colonic Neoplasms / pathology
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • DNA, Neoplasm / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Down Syndrome / genetics*
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics*
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense / genetics
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense / therapeutic use
  • Oncogenes
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA, Neoplasm / genetics
  • RNA, Neoplasm / metabolism
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • DNA, Complementary
  • DNA, Neoplasm
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense
  • Protein Isoforms
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Neoplasm
  • SIM2 protein, human
  • sim protein, Drosophila