Reprogramming metabolism in alveolar soft part sarcoma
Mentor Name: Kevin Jones
Alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare, soft tissue cancer, primarily incident in adolescents, that is resistant to traditional chemotherapy. The fusion gene generated by a chromosomal translocation was previously shown to be sufficient for initiating ASPS tumor growth in mice. Part of the transforming power of the fusion gene ASPSCR1::TFE3 may derive from its reprogramming of tumor cell metabolism. Our aim is to investigate what metabolic changes occur due to this fusion gene driving tumorigenesis. To accomplish this goal, we will use radiolabeled sugars and amino acids to see how two cell lines containing the fusion gene incorporate carbons from different sources and rewire the different metabolic cycles, such as glycolysis and the citric acid cycle.
