Identification and characterization of driver gene(s) in recurrent lung cancer am

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): We have completed analysis of over 250 lung cancer samples by a high- resolution genome profiling method developed here at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL). We found twelve major recurrent amplicons, most of which contain known driver genes such as MYC or KRAS2, and three others that do not, including the second most frequent amplicon which is located at 14q13. Our first specific aim is to perform comprehensive functional evaluation of all three candidate driver genes within this frequently amplified region at 14q13. This comprehensive functional evaluation will utilize both gain-of-function transformation assays and loss-of-function assays using new RNA interference technology, developed here at CSHL, that silences gene expression in vitro and in vivo. We have preliminary data that indicates that all three genes, each encoding a different transcription factors, synergistically promote the proliferation of lung epithelial cells. In addition to functional analysis, we have formed collaborations to address the potential diagnostic and prognostic significance of 14q13 amplification. The other two novel frequent amplicons contain several candidate genes. To address the difficulty inherent in functional analysis of amplicons containing many overexpressed genes, our second specific aim is to develop new barcoded RNA library interference technology, which enables functional analysis of many genes in parallel, into a robust tool for functional analysis of amplicons with large numbers of candidate driver genes. Our results will produce new insights into the molecular basis of lung carcinogenesis and should identify key therapeutic targets and new strategies for diagnostics for this highly lethal cancer. The first goal of this study focuses on the discovery and functional characterization of novel causal genes of one of the most deadly forms of lung cancer. The second goal is to create a gene function-based tool to enable researchers to rapidly identify the causal gene within a recurrent amplified genomic region that contains too many genes to be studied by a gene-by-gene approach. Forward research progress of this research proposal is expected to positively impact the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer in the future.