Oligodendrocyte-specific expression ofPSG8-AS1suggests a role in myelination with prognostic value in oligodendroglioma

Abstract

AbstractThe segmentally duplicated Pregnancy-specific glycoprotein (PSG) locus on chromosome 19q13 may be one of the most rapidly evolving in the human genome. It comprises ten coding genes (PSG1-9, 11) and one predominantly non-coding gene (PSG10) that are expressed in the placenta and gut, in addition to several poorly characterized long non-coding RNAs. We report that long non-coding RNAPSG8-AS1has an oligodendrocyte-specific expression pattern and is co-expressed with genes encoding key myelin constituents.PSG8-AS1exhibits two peaks of expression during human brain development coinciding with the most active periods of oligodendrogenesis and myelination.PSG8-AS1orthologs were found in the genomes of several primates but significant expression was found only in the human, suggesting a recent evolutionary origin of its proposed role in myelination. Additionally, because co-deletion of chromosomes 1p/19q is a genomic marker of oligodendroglioma, expression ofPSG8-AS1was examined in these tumors.PSG8-AS1may be a promising diagnostic biomarker for glioma, with prognostic value in oligodendroglioma.