Molecular Characterization of Patched-associated Rhabdomyosarcoma by Conditional Gene Targeting

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Gorlin syndrome, which is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by a combination of developmental defects with a predisposition to tumor formation, is cause by germline mutations of the human homolog of the drosophila segment polarity gene patched (PTCH). The Ptch1 mutant mice spontaneously develop rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) dependent on the genetic background. The mutant mice on CD-1 background, but not C57BL/6 one, were sensitive to RMS. The downstream signaling partner of Ptch1,Gli1 was overexpressed in all RMSs analyzed, indicating that abnormal Sonic Hedgehog/Patched (Shh) signaling pathway should be common for the various tumors associated with this syndrome. Insulin-like growth factor 2 (Igf2) was also overexpressed, suggesting cross-talk between Shh and Igf2 pathways in tumorigenesis. However, the genetic and molecular lesions of RMS underlying its genesis and progression remain largely unknown. In this study we have compared the molecular profiles of RMS versus normal skeletal muscle by RT-PCR, real time PCR analysis. Our results provide a first step towards a molecular classification of RMS.