X-Linked Tumor Suppressor Genes Act as Presumed Contributors in the Sex Chromosome-Autosome Crosstalk in Cancers

Abstract

Since the human genome contains about 6% of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) and the X chromosome alone holds a substantial share (2%), herein, we have discussed exclusively the relative contribution of X-linked human TSGs that appear to be primarily involved in 32 different cancer types. Our analysis showed that, (a) the majority of X-linked TSGs are primarily involved in the dysregulation of breast cancer, followed by prostate cancer, (b) Despite being escaped from X chromosome inactivation (XCI), a clear pattern of altered promoter methylation linked to the mutational burden was observed among them. (c) X-linked TSGs (mainly on the q-arm) maintain spatial and genetic interactions with certain autosomal loci. Corroborating our previous findings that loss/gain of entire sex chromosomes (in XO and XXY syndromes) can profoundly affect the epigenetic status of autosomes we herein suggest that X-linked TSGs alone can also contribute significantly in the dynamics this sex chromosome-autosome crosstalk to restructure the cancer genome.

Keywords:

• X chromosome
• tumor suppressor genes
• cancer
• evolution
• DNA methylation

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Additional information

Funding

BD was granted Junior Research Fellowship from University Grant Commission, New Delhi.