Publication
The PCBP1 gene encoding poly(rC) binding protein I is recurrently mutated in Burkitt lymphoma
Journal Paper/Review - Jul 14, 2015
Wagener Rabea, Betts Matthew J, Russell Robert B, Bernhart Stephan H, Hoffmann Steve, Rosenstiel Philip, Schilhabel Markus, Szczepanowski Monika, Trümper Lorenz, Klapper Wolfram, Siebert Reiner, ICGC MMML-Seq-Project, Rohde Marius, Richter Julia, Möller Peter, Aukema Sietse M, Schlesner Matthias, Haake Andrea, Burkhardt Birgit, Claviez Alexander, Drexler Hans G, Hummel Michael, Kreuz Markus, Loeffler Markus, Rosolowski Maciej, López Cristina, "Molecular Mechanisms in Malignant Lymphomas" Network Project of the Deutsche Krebshilfe
PubMed
Doi
Citation
Type
Journal
Publication Date
Issn Electronic
Pages
Brief description/objective
The genetic hallmark of Burkitt lymphoma is the translocation t(8;14)(q24;q32), or one of its light chain variants, resulting in IG-MYC juxtaposition. However, these translocations alone are insufficient to drive lymphomagenesis, which requires additional genetic changes for malignant transformation. Recent studies of Burkitt lymphoma using next generation sequencing approaches have identified various recurrently mutated genes including ID3, TCF3, CCND3, and TP53. Here, by using similar approaches, we show that PCBP1 is a recurrently mutated gene in Burkitt lymphoma. By whole-genome sequencing, we identified somatic mutations in PCBP1 in 3/17 (18%) Burkitt lymphomas. We confirmed the recurrence of PCBP1 mutations by Sanger sequencing in an independent validation cohort, finding mutations in 3/28 (11%) Burkitt lymphomas and in 6/16 (38%) Burkitt lymphoma cell lines. PCBP1 is an intron-less gene encoding the 356 amino acid poly(rC) binding protein 1, which contains three K-Homology (KH) domains and two nuclear localization signals. The mutations predominantly (10/12, 83%) affect the KH III domain, either by complete domain loss or amino acid changes. Thus, these changes are predicted to alter the various functions of PCBP1, including nuclear trafficking and pre-mRNA splicing. Remarkably, all six primary Burkitt lymphomas with a PCBP1 mutation expressed MUM1/IRF4, which is otherwise detected in around 20-40% of Burkitt lymphomas. We conclude that PCBP1 mutations are recurrent in Burkitt lymphomas and might contribute, in cooperation with other mutations, to its pathogenesis.