U19/Eaf2 knockout causes lung adenocarcinoma, B-cell lymphoma, hepatocellular carcinoma and prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia

Oncogene. 2008 Mar 6;27(11):1536-44. doi: 10.1038/sj.onc.1210786. Epub 2007 Sep 17.

Abstract

Upregulated gene 19 (U19)/ELL-associated factor 2 (Eaf2) is a potential human tumor suppressor that exhibits frequent allelic loss and downregulation in high-grade prostate cancer. U19/Eaf2, along with its homolog Eaf1, has been reported to regulate transcriptional elongation via interaction with the eleven-nineteen lysine-rich leukemia (ELL) family of proteins. To further explore the tumor-suppressive effects of U19/Eaf2, we constructed and characterized a murine U19/Eaf2-knockout model. Homozygous or heterozygous deletion of U19/Eaf2 resulted in high rates of lung adenocarcinoma, B-cell lymphoma, hepatocellular carcinoma and prostate intraepithelial neoplasia. Within the mouse prostate, U19/Eaf2 deficiency enhanced cell proliferation and increased epithelial cell size. The knockout mice also exhibited cardiac cell hypertrophy. These data indicate a role for U19/Eaf2 in growth suppression and cell size control as well as argue for U19/Eaf2 as a novel tumor suppressor in multiple mouse tissues. The U19/Eaf2 knockout mouse also provides a unique animal model for three important cancers: lung adenocarcinoma, B-cell lymphoma and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / genetics
  • Animals
  • Blotting, Southern
  • Blotting, Western
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / genetics*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Gene Silencing / physiology*
  • Genes, Tumor Suppressor
  • Liver Neoplasms / genetics
  • Loss of Heterozygosity
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / genetics*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia / genetics
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Testosterone / blood
  • Transcription Factors / physiology*

Substances

  • EAF2 protein, human
  • Transcription Factors
  • Testosterone