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The SSX gene family is composed of at least five functional and highly homologous members, SSX1 to SSX5, that are normally expressed in only the testis and thyroid. SSX1, SSX2, or SSX4 may be fused to the SYT gene as a result of the t(X;18) translocation in synovial sarcoma. In addition, the SSX1, SSX2, SSX4, and SSX5 genes were found to be aberrantly expressed in several other malignancies, including melanoma. The SSX proteins are localized in the nucleus and are diffusely distributed. In addition, they may be included in polycomb-group nuclear bodies. Other studies have indicated that the SSX proteins may act as transcriptional repressors. As a first step toward the elucidation of the cellular signaling networks in which the SSX proteins may act, we used the yeast two-hybrid system to identify SSX2-interacting proteins. By doing so, two novel human proteins were detected: RAB3IP, the human homolog of an interactor of the Ras-like GTPase Rab3A; and a novel protein, SSX2IP. RAB3IP did not interact with either SSX1, SSX3, or SSX4 in the yeast two-hybrid system, whereas SSX2IP interacted with SSX3 but not with either SSX1 or SSX4. Further analysis of deletion mutants showed that both RAB3IP and SSX2IP interact with the N-terminal moiety of the SSX2 protein. Immunofluorescence analyses of transfected cells revealed that the RAB3IP protein is normally localized in the cytoplasm. However, coexpression of both RAB3IP and SSX2 led to colocalization of both proteins in the nucleus. Likewise, the SSX2IP protein was found to be colocalizing with SSX2 in the nucleus. By performing glutathione-S-transferase pull-down assays, we found that both RAB3IP and SSX2IP interact directly with SSX2 in vitro. These newly observed protein/protein interactions may have important implications for the mechanisms underlying normal and malignant cellular growth.

Previously, we described a family with a significantly increased predisposition for renal cell cancer co-segregating with a t(2;3)(q35;q21) chromosomal translocation. Several primary tumors of the clear cell type from different family members were analyzed at a molecular level. Loss of the derivative chromosome 3 was consistently found. In addition, different somatic Von Hippel Lindau (VHL) gene mutations were observed in most of the tumors analyzed, even within the same patient. Based on these results a multistep tumorigenesis model was proposed in which (non-disjunctional) loss of the derivative chromosome 3 represents an early event and somatic mutation of the VHL gene represents a late event related to tumor progression. More recently, however, we noted that these two anomalies were absent in at least one early-stage tumor sample that we tested. Similar results were obtained in another family with renal cell cancer and t(3;6)(q12;q15), thus suggesting that another genetic event may precede these two oncogenetic steps. We speculate that deregulation of a gene(s) located at or near the translocation breakpoint may act as such. In order to identify such genes, a detailed physical map encompassing the 3q21 breakpoint region was constructed. Through a subsequent positional cloning effort we found that this breakpoint targets a hitherto unidentified gene, designated DIRC2 (disrupted in renal cancer 2). Computer predictions of the putative DIRC2 protein showed significant homology to different members of the major facilitator superfamily (MFS) of transporters. Based on additional DIRC2 expression and mutation analyses, we propose that the observed gene disruption may result in haplo-insufficiency and, through this mechanism, in the onset of tumor growth.