RNA-Seq of osteosarcoma cell lines

The Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) pathway stimulates telomere elongation and prevents cellular senescence in approximately 60% of osteosarcoma. While the precise mechanisms underlying the ALT pathway are unclear, mutations in the chromatin remodeling protein ATRX, histone chaperone DAXX, and the histone variant H3.3, correlate with ALT status. ATRX and DAXX facilitate deposition of the histone variant H3.3 within heterochromatic regions including the telomere suggesting that loss of ATRX, DAXX, and/or H3.3 lead to defects in heterochromatin maintenance at telomeres, ultimately contributing to ALT activity. Previous studies have detected genetic mutations in ATRX, DAXX, and H3.3 in ALT cell lines and tumor samples. However, a subset of ALT samples show loss of ATRX or DAXX protein expression or localization without evidence of genetic alterations, indicating a role for other defects in ATRX/DAXX/H3.3 function. Here, using Next Generation Sequencing, we identified a novel gene fusion event between DAXX and the kinesin motor protein, KIFC3, which leads to the translation of a chimeric DAXX-KIFC3 fusion protein. Here, we demonstrate that the fusion of KIFC3 to DAXX leads to defects in DAXX function and likely perpetuates ALT activity. These data highlight a previously unrecognized mechanism of DAXX inactivation in ALT positive osteosarcoma and provide rationale for thorough and comprehensive analyses of ATRX/DAXX/H3.3 proteins in ALT positive cancers. Overall design: 13 cell lines sequenced in triplicate, totaling 39 sequencing samples

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Mason-Osann E, Dai A, Floro J, Lock YJ, Reiss M, Gali H, Matschulat A, Labadorf A, Flynn RL