Newly identified LMO3-BORCS5 fusion oncogene in Ewing sarcoma at relapse is a driver of tumor progression

Oncogene. 2019 Nov;38(47):7200-7215. doi: 10.1038/s41388-019-0914-3. Epub 2019 Sep 5.

Abstract

Recently, we detected a new fusion transcript LMO3-BORCS5 in a patient with Ewing sarcoma within a cohort of relapsed pediatric cancers. LMO3-BORCS5 was as highly expressed as the characteristic fusion oncogene EWS/FLI1. However, the expression level of LMO3-BORCS5 at diagnosis was very low. Sanger sequencing depicted two LMO3-BORCS5 variants leading to loss of the functional domain LIM2 in LMO3 gene, and disruption of BORCS5. In vitro studies showed that LMO3-BORCS5 (i) increases proliferation, (ii) decreases expression of apoptosis-related genes and treatment sensitivity, and (iii) downregulates genes involved in differentiation and upregulates proliferative and extracellular matrix-related pathways. Remarkably, in vivo LMO3-BORCS5 demonstrated its high oncogenic potential by inducing tumors in mouse fibroblastic NIH-3T3 cell line. Moreover, BORCS5 probably acts, in vivo, as a tumor-suppressor gene. In conclusion, functional studies of fusion oncogenes at relapse are of great importance to define mechanisms involved in tumor progression and resistance to conventional treatments.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics*
  • Animals
  • Disease Progression
  • Humans
  • LIM Domain Proteins / genetics*
  • Mice
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / genetics
  • Oncogene Fusion
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / genetics*
  • Sarcoma, Ewing / genetics*
  • Sarcoma, Ewing / pathology

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • LIM Domain Proteins
  • LMO3 protein, human
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion