Identification and characterization of mouse SSX genes: a multigene family on the X chromosome with restricted cancer/testis expression

Genomics. 2003 Dec;82(6):628-36. doi: 10.1016/s0888-7543(03)00183-6.

Abstract

Human SSX was first identified as the gene involved in the t(X;18) translocation in synovial sarcoma. SSX is a multigene family, with 9 complete genes on chromosome Xp11. Normally expressed almost exclusively in testis, SSX mRNA is expressed in various human tumors, defining SSX as a cancer/testis antigen. We have now cloned the mouse ortholog of SSX. Mouse SSX genes can be divided into Ssxa and Ssxb subfamilies based on sequence homology. Ssxa has only one member, whereas 12 Ssxb genes, Ssxb1 to Ssxb12, were identified by cDNA cloning from mouse testis and mouse tumors. Both Ssxa and Ssxb are located on chromosome X and show tissue-restricted mRNA expression to testis among normal tissues. All putative human and mouse SSX proteins share conserved KRAB and SSX-RD domains. Mouse tumors were found to express some, but not all, Ssxb genes, similar to the SSX activation in human tumors.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Blotting, Southern
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Gene Components
  • Gene Expression*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Multigene Family / genetics*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism*
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics*
  • Restriction Mapping
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Sequence Homology
  • Testis / metabolism*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • X Chromosome / genetics*

Substances

  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Repressor Proteins
  • synovial sarcoma X breakpoint proteins