Unlike most of the gene fusions previously found in prostate cancer, the two genes, NDRG1 and ERG, likely produce a cancer-specific protein through genetic rearrangements. This fusion and protein are only found in cancer cells, and not within normal cells. Ongoing work is exploring the potential biologic implications of this discovery. However, the diagnostic implications are more immediate because these types of genetic chimera occur only in cancer.

"We think this type of gene fusion might be a common mechanism in other cancers," Dr. Rubin says. "This expands our understanding of how prostate tumor cells can hijack androgen-regulated genes by using neighboring genes to effectively alter their regulation. This may be a way tumors gain a competitive advantage over normal tissue."

Novel Technology Employed to Make Discovery

Dr. Rubin's team used state-of-the-art gene sequencing tools to discover the new class of gene fusion. Using pair-end digital sequencing of messenger RNA -- the message that all cells produce -- the computational team, lead by Dr. Mark Gerstein from Yale University and Andrea Sboner from Weill Cornell Medical College, were able to identify messages that emanated from two separate genes. The approach led to the discovery of the new gene fusion. The team is actively working on identifying other novel fusions with this approach, which will be applicable to other tumors as well.

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