SSX: A multigene family with several members transcribed in normal testis and human cancer Journal Article
| Authors: | Gure, A. O.; Türeci, Ö; Sahin, U.; Tsang, S.; Scanlan, M. J.; Jäger, E.; Knuth, A.; Pfreundschuh, M.; Old, L. J.; Chen, Y. T. |
| Article Title: | SSX: A multigene family with several members transcribed in normal testis and human cancer |
| Abstract: | Analysis of t(X;18) translocation in synovial sarcoma had previously led to the definition of the SSX2 gene, the fusion partner on chromosome X. Subsequent screening of testicular cDNA libraries identified 2 highly homologous genes, SSX1 and SSX3. Among these 3 genes, SSX2 has been found to be identical to HOM-MEL-40, which codes for an immunogenic tumor antigen expressed in various human cancers. SSX2 thus belongs to the family of cancer/testis (CT) antigens, i.e., immunogenic protein antigens with characteristic mRNA expression in normal testis and in cancer. To define additional CT antigens, we have immuno-screened a testicular cDNA expression library with an allogeneic serum from a melanoma patient, and both SSX2 and SSX3 were isolated. Further studies using testicular cDNA and SSX probes defined 2 new members of this gene family, SSX4 and SSX5, while a shorter cDNA variant of SSX4 was also identified. All 5 members of the SSX family shared strong sequence homology, with nucleotide homology ranging from 88 to 95% and amino acid homology ranging from 77 to 91%. Genomic cloning of a prototype SSX gene (SSX2) showed that its coding region is encoded by 6 exons, and the shortened form of SSX4 cDNA represents an alternatively spliced product lacking the 5th exon. Analysis of SSX mRNA expression by gene-specific RT-PCR confirmed that all 5 SSX genes are expressed in testis. In addition, analysis of a panel of 12 melanoma cell lines showed strong mRNA expression of either SSX1 (3/12), SSX2 (3/12), SSX4 (1/12), or SSX5 (1/12), indicating variable activation of the genes in malignant cells. |
| Keywords: | controlled study; human tissue; sequence analysis; exon; exons; genetic analysis; polymerase chain reaction; antigen expression; cells, cultured; melanoma; melanocytes; neoplasm proteins; introns; transcription, genetic; tumor cells, cultured; gene library; tumor antigen; amino acid sequence; molecular sequence data; sequence homology, amino acid; sequence alignment; nucleotide sequence; testicular neoplasms; alternative rna splicing; x chromosome; base sequence; translocation, genetic; sequence homology; sequence homology, nucleic acid; repressor proteins; testis; multigene family; dna library; chromosomes, human, pair 18; humans; human; male; priority journal; article; chromosome translocation 18 |
| Journal Title: | International Journal of Cancer |
| Volume: | 72 |
| Issue: | 6 |
| ISSN: | 0020-7136 |
| Publisher: | John Wiley & Sons |
| Date Published: | 1997-09-17 |
| Start Page: | 965 |
| End Page: | 971 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1002/(sici)1097-0215(19970917)72:6<965::aid-ijc8>3.0.co;2-n |
| PUBMED: | 9378559 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | Article -- Export Date: 17 March 2017 -- Source: Scopus |
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