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Genomic rearrangements are a hallmark of human cancers. Here, we identify the piggyBac transposable element derived 5 (PGBD5) gene as encoding an active DNA transposase expressed in the majority of childhood solid tumors, including lethal rhabdoid tumors. Using assembly-based whole-genome DNA sequencing, we found previously undefined genomic rearrangements in human rhabdoid tumors. These rearrangements involved PGBD5-specific signal (PSS) sequences at their breakpoints and recurrently inactivated tumor-suppressor genes. PGBD5 was physically associated with genomic PSS sequences that were also sufficient to mediate PGBD5-induced DNA rearrangements in rhabdoid tumor cells. Ectopic expression of PGBD5 in primary immortalized human cells was sufficient to promote cell transformation in vivo. This activity required specific catalytic residues in the PGBD5 transposase domain as well as end-joining DNA repair and induced structural rearrangements with PSS breakpoints. These results define PGBD5 as an oncogenic mutator and provide a plausible mechanism for site-specific DNA rearrangements in childhood and adult solid tumors.

Original publication

DOI

10.1038/ng.3866

Type

Journal article

Journal

Nat Genet

Publication Date

07/2017

Volume

49

Pages

1005 - 1014

Keywords

Adult, Animals, Catalytic Domain, Cell Line, Cell Transformation, Neoplastic, Child, Child, Preschool, Chromosome Aberrations, Chromosome Breakpoints, DNA End-Joining Repair, DNA, Neoplasm, Gene Rearrangement, Genes, Tumor Suppressor, Humans, Infant, Mice, Mice, Nude, Mutagenesis, Site-Directed, RNA Interference, Recombinant Proteins, Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid, Rhabdoid Tumor, Terminal Repeat Sequences, Transposases