Acute Myeloid Leukemia Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Acute Myeloid Leukemia, including details on aml, symptoms, treatment, information. | ||||||||
|
Somatic heterozygous mutations in ETV6 (TEL) and frequent absence of ETV6 protein in acute myeloid leukemia.Barjesteh van Waalwijk van Doorn-Khosrovani S, Spensberger D, de Knegt Y, Tang M, Löwenberg B, Delwel R Department of Hematology, ErasmusMC, Dr Molewaterplein 50, Rotterdam 3015GE, The Netherlands. ETV6 (ets translocation variant gene 6) TEL (translocation ets leukemia), encoding a transcriptional repressor, is involved in various translocations associated with human malignancies. Strikingly, the nonrearranged ETV6 allele is often deleted or inactivated in cells harboring these translocations. Although ETV6 translocations are infrequent in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), mutations or deregulated expression of ETV6 may contribute to leukemogenesis. To investigate the involvement of ETV6 in AML, we analysed 300 newly diagnosed patients for mutations in the coding region of the gene. Furthermore, we studied protein expression in 77 patients using two ETV6-specific antibodies. Five somatic heterozygous mutations were detected, which affected either the homodimerization- or the DNA-binding domain of ETV6. The proteins translated from the cDNAs of these mutants were unable to repress transcription and showed dominant-negative effects. In addition, we demonstrate that one-third of AML patients have deficient ETV6 protein expression, which is not related to ETV6 mRNA expression levels. In conclusion, we demonstrate that ETV6 abnormalities are not restricted to translocations and occur more frequently in AML than previously thought. Additional comprehensive studies are required to define the clinical consequence of ETV6 loss of function in AML. Published 20 June 2005 in Oncogene, 24(25): 4129-37.
© 2004-2008 Acute Myeloid Leukemia Research Today. All Rights Reserved. |
| ||||||
