TCF21

Overview

TCF21 (transcription factor 21) encodes a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor involved in mesenchymal cell differentiation and organogenesis. In cancer genomics, TCF21 is among the most over-expressed genes in a cell-adhesion/migration/WNT mRNA sub-group of extra-cranial malignant rhabdoid tumors (MRT), implicating it in the aberrant differentiation programs driven by SMARCB1 loss.

Alterations observed in the corpus

  • Among the most over-expressed genes in mRNA sub-group 2 (cell adhesion/migration, WNT, differentiation) of extra-cranial MRT with SMARCB1 biallelic inactivation PMID:26977886

Cancer types (linked)

  • Malignant rhabdoid tumor (MRT): TCF21 is highly over-expressed in mRNA sub-group 2, which is characterized by cell-adhesion, migration, and WNT pathway genes; the sub-group parallels the RTK sub-type of AT/RT PMID:26977886

Co-occurrence and mutual exclusivity

Therapeutic relevance

  • No direct therapeutic relevance established; over-expression in MRT sub-group 2 is hypothesis-generating for differentiation pathway dependencies PMID:26977886

Open questions

  • Whether TCF21 over-expression is a direct consequence of SMARCB1 loss or a secondary transcriptional program is unresolved PMID:26977886

Sources

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