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Tumour microvesicles contain retrotransposon elements and amplified oncogene sequences

Author

Listed:
  • Leonora Balaj

    (Harvard Medical School
    Harvard Medical School
    Massachusetts General Hospital, and Neuroscience Program, Harvard Medical School
    VU University Amsterdam)

  • Ryan Lessard

    (Harvard Medical School
    Harvard Medical School
    Massachusetts General Hospital, and Neuroscience Program, Harvard Medical School)

  • Lixin Dai

    (The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine)

  • Yoon-Jae Cho

    (Children's Hospital)

  • Scott L. Pomeroy

    (Massachusetts General Hospital, and Neuroscience Program, Harvard Medical School
    Children's Hospital)

  • Xandra O. Breakefield

    (Harvard Medical School
    Harvard Medical School
    Massachusetts General Hospital, and Neuroscience Program, Harvard Medical School)

  • Johan Skog

    (Harvard Medical School
    Harvard Medical School
    Massachusetts General Hospital, and Neuroscience Program, Harvard Medical School)

Abstract

Tumour cells release an abundance of microvesicles containing a selected set of proteins and RNAs. Here, we show that tumour microvesicles also carry DNA, which reflects the genetic status of the tumour, including amplification of the oncogene c-Myc. We also find amplified c-Myc in serum microvesicles from tumour-bearing mice. Further, we find remarkably high levels of retrotransposon RNA transcripts, especially for some human endogenous retroviruses, such as LINE-1 and Alu retrotransposon elements, in tumour microvesicles and these transposable elements could be transferred to normal cells. These findings expand the nucleic acid content of tumour microvesicles to include: elevated levels of specific coding and non-coding RNA and DNA, mutated and amplified oncogene sequences and transposable elements. Thus, tumour microvesicles contain a repertoire of genetic information available for horizontal gene transfer and potential use as blood biomarkers for cancer.

Suggested Citation

  • Leonora Balaj & Ryan Lessard & Lixin Dai & Yoon-Jae Cho & Scott L. Pomeroy & Xandra O. Breakefield & Johan Skog, 2011. "Tumour microvesicles contain retrotransposon elements and amplified oncogene sequences," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 2(1), pages 1-9, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:2:y:2011:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms1180
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1180
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    Cited by:

    1. Clelia Buccheri & Fabiana Festucci & Marina Potestà & Valentina Roglia & Roberta Bernardini & Antonella Minutolo & Carla Montesano & Walter Adriani, 2021. "Micro-Vesicles of Moringa oleifera Seeds in Heterozygous Rats for DAT Gene: Effects of Oral Intake on Behavioral Profile and Hematological Parameters," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-14, February.

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