Recurrent gene fusions in prostate cancer
Recurrent gene fusions of androgen regulated genes and ETS family member genes in prostate cancer are described. Compositions and methods having utility in prostate cancer diagnosis, research, and therapy are also provided.
1. A composition comprising an antibody that is specific for a truncated ERG1 protein, wherein the truncated ERG1 protein has an amino acid sequence that begins at a methionine that is the 47th amino acid of SEQ ID NO: 240 and the antibody binds an epitope comprising the 47th amino acid of SEQ ID NO: 240.
2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the truncated ERG1 protein is encoded by a gene fusion resulting from rearrangement of TMPRSS2 and ERG1 genes.
3. The composition of claim 2 , wherein the gene fusion comprises a 5′ portion from the TMPRSS2 gene and a 3′ portion from the ERG1 gene.
4. The composition of claim 3 , wherein the gene fusion comprises a 5′ portion from a transcriptional regulatory region of the TMPRSS2 gene.
5. The composition of claim 4 , wherein the transcriptional regulatory region comprises a promoter region of the TMPRSS2 gene.
6. A composition comprising an antibody that binds an epitope comprising the 47th amino acid of SEQ ID NO: 240.
7. The composition of claim 6 wherein said epitope results from a gene fusion resulting from the fusion of, rearrangement of TMPRSS2 and ERG1 genes.
8. A composition comprising an antibody that binds an epitope comprising the 47th amino acid of SEQ ID NO: 240 that is a truncated ERG1 protein encoded by a gene fusion resulting from rearrangement of TMPRSS2 and ERG1 genes.
9. The composition of claim 8 , wherein the gene fusion comprises a 5′ portion from the TMPRSS2 gene and a 3′ portion from the ERG1 gene.
10. The composition of claim 9 , wherein the gene fusion comprises a 5′ portion from a transcriptional regulatory region of the TMPRSS2 gene.
11. The composition of claim 10 , wherein the transcriptional regulatory region comprises a promoter region of the TMPRSS2 gene.