The translocation t(11;15)(q21;q26) (CRTC3-MAML2) is, besides the translocation of homologous CRTC1 gene with MALM2 gene, another characteristic feature of mucoepidermoid carcinoma which is one of the most frequent malignant tumors of the salivary glands.
The CRTC3 gene is located on the chromosome 15q26.1. The protein encoded by the CRTC3 gene belongs to the family of highly conservative CREB (cAMP response element-binding) coactivators.
The principle by which this translocation contributes to the formation and development of this tumor is probably similar to that of the homologous gene CRTC1. For more information, see Analysis of the translocation t (11; 19).
Principle
The test is possible to perform from RNA isolated from unfixed and fixed tissues.
The translocation t(11;15)(q21;q26) (CRTC3-MAML2) is detected in analyzed samples using two-round RT-PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis (fig. 1) with possible confirmation of fusion products by sequencing.
We also detect the break of the gene MALM2 using break apart FISH probe.
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Fig.1
References
- Stenman G. Fusion oncogenes and tumor type specificity-insights from salivary gland tumors. Semin Cancer Biol. 2005;15(3):224-235. Review.
- Okumura Y, Miyabe S, Nakayama T, Fujiyoshi Y, Hattori H, Shimozato K, Inagaki H. Impact of CRTC1/3-MAML2 fusions on histological classification and prognosis of mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Histopathology. 2011;59(1):90-7.
- Nakayama T, Miyabe S, Okabe M, Sakuma H, Ijichi K, Hasegawa Y, Nagatsuka H,Shimozato K, Inagaki H. Clinicopathological significance of the CRTC3-MAML2 fusion transcript in mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Mod Pathol. 2009;22(12):1575-81.