N-myc downstream regulated gene 1 (NDRG1) is fused to ERG in prostate cancer

Neoplasia. 2009 Aug;11(8):804-11. doi: 10.1593/neo.09572.

Abstract

A step toward the molecular classification of prostate cancer was the discovery of recurrent erythroblast transformation-specific rearrangements, most commonly fusing the androgen-regulated TMPRSS2 promoter to ERG. The TMPRSS2-ERG fusion is observed in around 90% of tumors that overexpress the oncogene ERG. The goal of the current study was to complete the characterization of these ERG-overexpressing prostate cancers. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assays, we screened 101 prostate cancers, identifying 34 cases (34%) with the TMPRSS2-ERG fusion. Seven cases demonstrated ERG rearrangement by fluorescence in situ hybridization without the presence of TMPRSS2-ERG fusion messenger RNA transcripts. Screening for known 5' partners, we determined that three cases harbored the SLC45A3-ERG fusion. To discover novel 5' partners in these ERG-overexpressing and ERG-rearranged cases, we used paired-end RNA sequencing. We first confirmed the utility of this approach by identifying the TMPRSS2-ERG fusion in a known positive prostate cancer case and then discovered a novel fusion involving the androgen-inducible tumor suppressor, NDRG1 (N-myc downstream regulated gene 1), and ERG in two cases. Unlike TMPRSS2-ERG and SCL45A3-ERG fusions, the NDRG1-ERG fusion is predicted to encode a chimeric protein. Like TMPRSS2, SCL45A3 and NDRG1 are inducible not only by androgen but also by estrogen. This study demonstrates that most ERG-overexpressing prostate cancers harbor hormonally regulated TMPRSS2-ERG, SLC45A3-ERG, or NDRG1-ERG fusions. Broader implications of this study support the use of RNA sequencing to discover novel cancer translocations.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Androgen Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Base Sequence
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / genetics*
  • Estradiol / pharmacology
  • Estrogens / pharmacology
  • Flutamide / pharmacology
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics*
  • Male
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / genetics*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Trans-Activators / genetics*
  • Transcriptional Regulator ERG

Substances

  • Androgen Antagonists
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • ERG protein, human
  • Estrogens
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • N-myc downstream-regulated gene 1 protein
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
  • TMPRSS2-ERG fusion protein, human
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcriptional Regulator ERG
  • Estradiol
  • Flutamide

Associated data

  • GENBANK/FJ627786
  • GENBANK/FJ627787