MECT1/MAML2
Fusion of the CREB regulated transcription coactivator CRTC1 (a.k.a. MECT1, TORC1, or WAMTP1) to the Notch coactivator MAML2 is a characteristic feature of low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinomas of salivary and bronchial glands. The CRTC1-MAML2 fusion protein acts by inducing transcription of cAMP/CREB target genes, and this activity is crucial for the transforming properties of the protein.
Pathology
MECT1/MAML2 gene fusion in
- mucoepidermoid carcinoma by t(11;19)(q21-22;p13) translocation (14720503)
- benign Warthin tumor by t(11;19)(q21-22;p13) translocation (14720503)
- clear cell hidradenoma
Action
In the fusion protein, the N-terminal basic domain of MAML2, which is required for binding to intracellular Notch (Notch ICD), is replaced by an unrelated N-terminal sequence from WAMTP1.
Mutation analysis of the N-terminus of WAMTP1-MAML2 identified two regions of importance for nuclear localization (amino acids 11-20) and for colocalization with MAML2 and Notch1 ICD in nuclear granules (amino acids 21-42).
altered Notch signaling pathway with upregulation of HES5 and downregulation of MASH1(14720503)
References
Tirado Y, Williams MD, Hanna EY, Kaye FJ, Batsakis JG, El-Naggar AK. CRTC1/MAML2 fusion transcript in high grade mucoepidermoid carcinomas of salivary and thyroid glands and Warthin?s tumors: implications for histogenesis and biologic behavior. Genes Chromosomes Cancer. 2007 Jul;46(7):708-15. PMID: 17437281
Winnes M, Molne L, Suurkula M, Andren Y, Persson F, Enlund F, Stenman G. Frequent fusion of the CRTC1 and MAML2 genes in clear cell variants of cutaneous hidradenomas. Genes Chromosomes Cancer. 2007 Jun;46(6):559-63. PMID: 17334997
Behboudi A, Enlund F, Winnes M, Andren Y, Nordkvist A, Leivo I, Flaberg E, Szekely L, Makitie A, Grenman R, Mark J, Stenman G. Molecular classification of mucoepidermoid carcinomas-prognostic significance of the MECT1-MAML2 fusion oncogene. Genes Chromosomes Cancer. 2006 May;45(5):470-81. PMID: 16444749
Behboudi A, Winnes M, Gorunova L, van den Oord JJ, Mertens F, Enlund F, Stenman G. Clear cell hidradenoma of the skin-a third tumor type with a t(11;19)?associated TORC1-MAML2 gene fusion. Genes Chromosomes Cancer. 2005 Jun;43(2):202-5. PMID: 15729701
Enlund F, Behboudi A, Andren Y, Oberg C, Lendahl U, Mark J, Stenman G. Altered Notch signaling resulting from expression of a WAMTP1-MAML2 gene fusion in mucoepidermoid carcinomas and benign Warthin?s tumors. Exp Cell Res. 2004 Jan 1;292(1):21-8. PMID: 14720503