Abstract
Genetic analysis of human papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC) has revealed unique chromosomal translocations that form oncogenic fusion proteins and promote thyroid tumorigenesis in up to 60% of tumors examined. Although, the majority of thyroid specific translocations involve the growth factor receptor c-RET, variant rearrangements of the receptor for nerve growth factor, NTRK1 have also been described. One such translocation, TRK-T1, forms a fusion protein composed of the carboxyl terminal tyrosine kinase domain of NTRK1 and the amino terminal portion of TPR (Translocated Promoter Region). To determine if TRK-T1 expression can cause thyroid cancer in vivo, we developed transgenic mice that express the human TRK-T1 fusion protein in the thyroid. Immunohistochemical analysis of TRK-T1 transgenic mouse thyroids revealed TRK-T1 staining within the thyroid follicular epithelium. In contrast to nontransgenic littermates, 54% of transgenic mice developed thyroid abnormalities that included follicular hyperplasia and papillary carcinoma. Furthermore, all transgenic mice examined greater than 7 months of age developed thyroid hyperplasia and/or carcinoma. These data support the conclusion that TRK-T1 is oncogenic in vivo and contributes to the neoplastic transformation of the thyroid.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 5729-5735 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Oncogene |
Volume | 19 |
Issue number | 50 |
Publication status | Published - Nov 23 2000 |
Keywords
- Neoplasia
- Nerve growth factor receptor
- Papillary thyroid carcinoma
- RET/PTC
- Transgenic mice
- TRK-T1
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
- Genetics