Combined Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization and Tissue Microarray Analysis Suggest PAK1 at 11q13.5-q14 as a Critical Oncogene Target in Ovarian Carcinoma

Abstract

Amplification of chromosomal regions leads to an increase of DNA copy numbers and expression of oncogenes in many human tumors. The identification of tumor-specific oncogene targets has potential diagnostic and therapeutic implications. To identify distinct spectra of oncogenic alterations in ovarian carcinoma, metaphase comparative genomic hybridization (mCGH), array CGH (aCGH), and ovarian tumor tissue microarrays were used in this study. Twenty-six primary ovarian carcinomas and three ovarian carcinoma cell lines were analyzed by mCGH. Frequent chromosomal overrepresentation was observed on 2q (31%), 3q (38%), 5p (38%), 8q (52%), 11q (21%), 12p (21%), 17q (21%), and 20q (52%). The role of oncogenes residing in gained chromosomal loci was determined by aCGH with 59 genetic loci commonly amplified in human tumors. DNA copy number gains were most frequently observed for PIK3CA on 3q (66%), PAK1 on 11q (59%), KRAS2 on 12p (55%), and STK15 on 20q (55%). The 11q13-q14 amplicon, represented by six oncogenes (CCND1, FGF4, FGF3, EMS1, GARP, and PAK1) revealed preferential gene copy number gains of PAK1, which is located at 11q13.5-q14. Amplification and protein expression status of both PAK1 and CCND1 were further examined by fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry using a tissue microarray consisting of 268 primary ovarian tumors. PAK1 copy number gains were observed in 30% of the ovarian carcinomas and PAK1 protein was expressed in 85% of the tumors. PAK1 gains were associated with high grade (P < 0.05). In contrast, CCND1 gene alterations and protein expression were less frequent (10.6% and 25%, respectively), suggesting that the critical oncogene target of amplicon 11q13-14 lies distal to CCND1. This study demonstrates that aCGH facilitates further characterization of oncogene candidates residing in amplicons defined by mCGH.

Amplification of CCND1 and PAK1 as predictors of recurrence and tamoxifen resistance in postmenopausal breast cancer

“…These chromosomal changes are also present in DNA diploid cells and ductal carcinoma in situ (Rennstam et al, 2001), suggesting that amplification in this region is an early event. (Schraml et al, 2003;Brown et al, 2006;Mayr et al, 2006). We found PAK1 gene amplification in 37% of the tumor samples carrying CCND1 gene amplification, indicating a high frequency of coamplification.…”

Lessons from border cell migration in the Drosophila ovary: A role for myosin VI in dissemination of human ovarian cancer

“…pak1 phosphorylates myosin VI in human epidermoid carcinoma cells (19) and promotes motility and invasiveness of various cell types (31,32). PAK1 copy number gains and overexpression are prevalent in high-grade ovarian carcinomas (33). Because high-grade ovarian carcinomas strongly express myosin VI (Fig.…”

P21-activated kinase 5 plays essential roles in the proliferation and tumorigenicity of human hepatocellular carcinoma

“…The other members of the PAK family have been identified as regulators of tumor formation in the breast [10] , colon [11] , ovary [12] , pancreas [13] , and prostate [14] . Although the role of PAK5 in cancer progression has not been fully investigated, two recent reports suggest that PAK5 is overexpressed in colorectal cancer and can promote cancer-cell invasion [15,16] .…”