Transcriptional Expression of RPMS1 in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma and Its Oncogenic Potential

Abstract

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) BamHI A rightward transcripts (BARTs) were originally identified in C15 xenograft of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and easily detected in a wide variety of EBV latent infection and EBV-associated tumors. It had been reported that p31 cosmid containing BARTs immortalized monkey epithelial cells, but which particular gene among BARTs family participates in the transformation procedure remains to be identified. RPMS1 is the only full-length cDNA confirmed so far and one of the most abundant spliced forms in BARTs family. To investigate the involvement of RPMS1 gene in NPC, we examined the expression of RPMS1 transcripts in NPC biopsies from Guangdong and its oncogenic potential. Our results revealed that RPMS1 mRNA preferentially expressed in primary NPC to non-carcinoma tissue of nasopharynx and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) of NPC patients. Furthermore, by introducing RPMS1 ORF into HEK293 cells, these transfectants enhanced the anchorage-independent growth and produced tumors in nude mice. These data imply that RPMS1 gene might play an important role in the development of NPC.

Epstein-Barr Virus-associated Gastric Carcinoma

“…RPMS1 is the only full-length cDNA confirmed so far and one of the most abundant spliced forms in the BARTs family; and it is considered to play an important role in the development of NPC. 106 However, by now, no study concerning RPMS1 in EBVaGC is available. Besides, prediction for transcription factor binding site using the tool at the website (http://www.cbrc.jp/research/db/TFSEARCH.html) showed that the mutation located in the binding site (GCGGATCCCG) of the GATA-2 transcription factor and it might affect GATA-2 binding.…”

Epstein-Barr Virus Sequence Variation—Biology and Disease

“…A recent report identified some new variants in Chinese samples [ 121 ]. At present there is little information on sequence variation in the BART or BHRF1 miRNAs, although attention has been drawn to a G155849A polymorphism near the RPMS1 open reading frame in the BART region of EBV from EBV associated with NPC in China [ 122 ]. Variation in promoter activity affecting expression in reporter assays has also been reported for the Cp and Qp promoters in EBV isolates from Chinese NPC samples [ 123 ] but there is no evidence for a role in disease.…”

The role of miRNAs and EBV BARTs in NPC

“…Overexpression of RPMS1 in HEK293 cells resulted in increased growth in soft agar and cells that can form tumors in nude mice [39]. Flag-tagged RPMS1 localized to the nucleus in both 293T and HeLa cells [23,40].…”