Fat-specific FUS-DDIT3-transgenic mice establish PPARgamma inactivation is required to liposarcoma development

Carcinogenesis. 2007 Oct;28(10):2069-73. doi: 10.1093/carcin/bgm107. Epub 2007 Apr 29.

Abstract

FUS-DDIT3 is a chimeric oncogene generated by the most common chromosomal translocation t(12;16)(q13;p11) associated to liposarcomas. The application of transgenic methods and the use of primary mesenchymal progenitor cells to the study of this sarcoma-associated FUS-DDIT3 gene fusion have provided insights into their in vivo functions and suggested mechanisms by which lineage selection may be achieved. These studies indicate that FUS-DDIT3 contributes to differentiation arrest acting at a point in the adipocyte differentiation process after induction of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) expression. To test this idea within a living mouse, we generated mice expressing FUS-DDIT3 within aP2-positive cells, because aP2 is a downstream target of PPARgamma expressed at the immature adipocyte stage. Here, we report that FUS-DDIT3 expression was successfully induced at the aP2 stage of differentiation both in vivo and in vitro. aP2-FUS-DDIT3 mice do not develop liposarcomas and exhibit an increase in white adipose tissue size. Consistent with in vivo data, mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) obtained from aP2-FUS-DDIT3 mice not only were capable of terminal differentiation but also showed an increased capacity for adipogenesis in vitro compared with wild-type MEFs. Taken together, this study provides genetic evidence that the presence of FUS-DDIT3 in an aP2-positive cell is not enough to cause liposarcoma development and establishes that PPARgamma inactivation is required for liposarcoma development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipocytes / cytology*
  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 16
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 2
  • Fibroblasts / physiology
  • Humans
  • Liposarcoma / genetics*
  • Liposarcoma / pathology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred CBA
  • Mice, Nude
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • PPAR gamma / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • RNA / genetics
  • RNA / isolation & purification
  • RNA-Binding Protein FUS / genetics*
  • Transcription Factor CHOP / genetics*
  • Translocation, Genetic

Substances

  • DDIT3 protein, human
  • PPAR gamma
  • RNA-Binding Protein FUS
  • Transcription Factor CHOP
  • RNA