Loss of suppressor-of-fused function promotes tumorigenesis

Oncogene. 2007 Sep 27;26(44):6442-7. doi: 10.1038/sj.onc.1210467. Epub 2007 Apr 23.

Abstract

The Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway is indispensable for development, and functions to activate a transcriptional program modulated by the GLI transcription factors. Here, we report that loss of a regulator of the SHH pathway, Suppressor of Fused (Sufu), resulted in early embryonic lethality in the mouse similar to inactivation of another SHH regulator, Patched1 (Ptch1). In contrast to Ptch1+/- mice, Sufu+/- mice were not tumor prone. However, in conjunction with p53 loss, Sufu+/- animals developed tumors including medulloblastoma and rhabdomyosarcoma. Tumors present in Sufu+/-p53-/- animals resulted from Sufu loss of heterozygosity. Sufu+/-p53-/- medulloblastomas also expressed a signature gene expression profile typical of aberrant SHH signaling, including upregulation of N-myc, Sfrp1, Ptch2 and cyclin D1. Finally, the Smoothened inhibitor, hedgehog antagonist, did not block growth of tumors arising from Sufu inactivation. These data demonstrate that Sufu is essential for development and functions as a tumor suppressor.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics*
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Genes, Lethal*
  • Genes, Tumor Suppressor / physiology
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Loss of Heterozygosity
  • Medulloblastoma / genetics*
  • Medulloblastoma / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Patched Receptors
  • Patched-1 Receptor
  • Patched-2 Receptor
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / physiology
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / physiology*
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma / genetics*
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma / pathology
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / physiology

Substances

  • Patched Receptors
  • Patched-1 Receptor
  • Patched-2 Receptor
  • Ptch1 protein, mouse
  • Ptch2 protein, mouse
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Sufu protein, mouse
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53