The EWS-WT1 gene fusion in desmoplastic small round cell tumor

Semin Cancer Biol. 2005 Jun;15(3):197-205. doi: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2005.01.005.

Abstract

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is a poorly understood neoplasm with distinctive clinical, histologic and immunophenotypic features. It is associated with a novel, specific chromosomal abnormality, t(11;22)(p13;q12) that fuses EWS with WT1 leading to production of a chimeric protein with transcriptional regulatory activity. This chimeric transcription factor has unique DNA-binding properties and regulates expression of specific target genes. Several of these have been identified and their biological role characterized. The dysregulated expression of EWS-WT1 targets contribute to the malignant phenotype of DSRCT and provide valuable insight regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying the development and progression of this distinct translocation associated tumor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / genetics*
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / metabolism*
  • RNA-Binding Protein EWS / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • WT1 Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • EWS1-WT1 fusion protein, human
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
  • RNA-Binding Protein EWS
  • Transcription Factors
  • WT1 Proteins