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Query: EC:2.7.10.1 (
ERK
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document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)
The non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) subtype anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) is frequently associated with a t(2;5)(
p23
;q35) that results in the fusion of the ubiquitously expressed nucleophosmin (NPM) gene at 5q35 to the
anaplastic lymphoma kinase
(
ALK
) gene at 2p23, which is not normally expressed in hematopoietic tissues. Approximately 20% of ALCLs that express
ALK
do not contain the t(2;5), suggesting that other genetic abnormalities can result in aberrant
ALK
expression. Here we report the molecular characterization of an alternative genetic means of
ALK
activation, the inv(2)(p23q35). This recurrent abnormality produces a fusion of the amino-terminus of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase/IMP cyclohydrolase (ATIC), a bifunctional homodimeric enzyme that catalyzes the penultimate and final steps of de novo purine nucleotide biosynthesis, with the intracellular portion of the
ALK
receptor tyrosine kinase. RT-PCR analysis of 5 ALCL tumors that contained the inv(2) revealed identical ATIC-
ALK
fusion cDNA junctions in all of the cases. Transient expression studies show that the ATIC-
ALK
fusion transcript directs the synthesis of an approximately 87-kd chimeric protein that is localized to the cytoplasm, in contrast to NPM-
ALK
, which typically exhibits a cytoplasmic and nuclear subcellular distribution. ATIC-
ALK
was constitutively tyrosine phosphorylated and could convert the IL-3-dependent murine hematopoietic cell line BaF3 to cytokine-independent growth. Our studies demonstrate an alternative mechanism for
ALK
involvement in the genesis of NHL and suggest that ATIC-
ALK
activation results from ATIC-mediated homodimerization. In addition, expected decreases in ATIC enzymatic function in ATIC-
ALK
-containing lymphomas may render these tumors more sensitive to antifolate drugs such as methotrexate. (Blood. 2000;95:2144-2149)
...
PMID:Inv(2)(p23q35) in anaplastic large-cell lymphoma induces constitutive anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) tyrosine kinase activation by fusion to ATIC, an enzyme involved in purine nucleotide biosynthesis. 1070 87
The clinicopathologic features of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) are reviewed. ALCL is a heterogeneous group of tumours, and histologic examination alone is not adequate in providing useful prognostic information. However, using a combination of clinical, phenotypic, and genotypic features, several distinct clinicopathologic entities have been identified. A subset of ALCL as presently defined is characterized by a balanced translocation, t(2;5)(
p23
;q35), resulting in a novel fusion protein (NPM-
ALK
) that can be readily detected by immunohistochemical methods using antibodies against the
ALK
protein. Detection of
ALK
protein, along with other methods for demonstrating the t(2;5), has assisted in identifying a distinct biologic entity within the heterogeneous group of ALCL with significant prognostic implications. It is important to separate these from cases of
ALK
-negative ALCL, which have a poorer prognosis, and cases of primary cutaneous ALCL, which have an excellent prognosis.
...
PMID:Anaplastic large cell lymphoma: a clinicopathologic analysis. 1072 69
ALCL is widely recognized with its broad morphologic and phenotypic spectrum causing controversy in the diagnosis of this peculiar neoplasm. It is now beyond doubt that a significant proportion(64 to 84%) of the cases diagnosed as ALCL is closely associated with the expression of chimeric NPM-
ALK
protein activated by the (2;5) (
p23
;q35) chromosomal translocation, which can be detected by anti-p80NPM/
ALK
or ALK1 antibodies. Recently, some investigators including us asserted that these p80NPM/
ALK
or ALK1-positive(p80/ALK+) ALCLs represent a distinct genetic entity with occurrence in young patients and a favorable prognosis, and should be differentiated from the p80/
ALK
- tumors with the relatively aggressive clinical course. The p80/ALK+ lymphomas also revealed the characteristic morphology such as horseshoe-like, kidney-like or doughnut-like nuclei and frequent expression of EMA and cytotoxic molecules. However, these features are shared, though to a lesser degree, by other p80/
ALK
-negative lymphoid neoplasms. Indeed, it is indicated that cytotoxic ALCL cases may be either p80/
ALK
positive or negative, suggesting that the cytotoxicity and expression of p80/
ALK
are independent phenomena among the cases of ALCL of T- and null-cell type. Thus, several areas of disagreement and controversy that surround the diagnosis and categorization of ALCL remain.
...
PMID:[Ki-1 lymphoma]. 1074 Nov 40
ALK
(
anaplastic lymphoma kinase
) is a tyrosine kinase receptor, expressed as part of the chimeric NPM-
ALK
protein, in anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCLs) exhibiting the t(2;5)(
p23
;q35) translocation. As a result of this translocation, the NPM (nucleophosmin) gene is fused to the portion of the
ALK
gene encoding its intracytoplasmic segment. In normal mouse tissues, mRNA encoding the Alk receptor has been found only in neural cells, suggesting involvement of this receptor in the development of the nervous system. The purpose of the present study was to examine the presence of
ALK
transcripts and protein in normal human tissues and a variety of cell lines and human tumors. Emphasis was placed on neuroblastomas because other tyrosine kinase receptors are expressed in human neuroblastomas. Fifty-six cell lines, including 29 lines of neural origin, and lymphoid and nonlymphoid tissue specimens, including 24 neuroblastomas, were investigated for
ALK
expression, using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. The results confirmed that mRNA encoding
ALK
protein was not detectable in any normal or neoplastic hematopoietic tissue tested, except for t(2;5)-positive ALCL. The salient finding was that 13 of the 29 cell lines of neural origin and 22 of 24 neuroblastomas were found to express
ALK
transcripts and
ALK
protein. However, no correlation was evident between any known prognostic factors and the level of
ALK
expression.
...
PMID:Expression of the ALK tyrosine kinase gene in neuroblastoma. 1079 82
A variable fraction of anaplastic large-cell lymphomas (ALCLs) exhibits a t(2;5)(
p23
;q35) translocation that results in expression of the chimeric hyperphosphorylated protein NPM-
ALK
(p80). Tumor cells expressing NPM-
ALK
exhibit markedly enhanced proliferative activity, but comparative cellular kinetic studies on
ALK
(+) (
ALK
lymphomas) and
ALK
(-) lymphomas are lacking. The present study showed that
ALK
(+) lymphomas, detected with the monoclonal antibody ALKc (n = 17), had significantly higher average values for the proliferation-associated parameters mitotic index, ana/telophase index, growth index (x x mitotic index - apoptotic index, assuming x = 3), percentages of Ki-67(+) cells and fraction of cells expressing cyclin A or B or the cell cycle-regulatory protein p34(cdc2) than did
ALK
(-) ALCLs (n = 15). Whether this intense proliferative activity contributes to the good response to chemotherapy and favorable outcome of
ALK
(+) ALCLs remains to be assessed in a larger series of patients. Our findings support the notion that
ALK
(+) and
ALK
(-) ALCLs are 2 distinct disease entities.
...
PMID:Expression of the ALK protein by anaplastic large-cell lymphomas correlates with high proliferative activity. 1084 90
Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) represents approximately 2% of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas according to the recent Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Classification Project. As defined in the revised European-American classification of lymphoid neoplasms (REAL), ALCL is a neoplasm of T-cell or null-cell lineage; 20% to 60% of cases are associated with the t(2;5)(
p23
;q35) translocation. ALCL commonly involves nodal as well as a wide variety of extranodal sites, although primary or secondary involvement of bone is rare. We describe the case of a 71-year-old man with stage IE T-cell ALCL, monomorphic variant, arising in the left anterior fifth rib and involving adjacent soft tissue without other sites of disease. The monomorphic histologic features hindered the initial recognition of this neoplasm as ALCL. However, strong uniform CD30 antigen expression and subsequent demonstration of the t(2;5)(
p23
;q35) translocation and
anaplastic lymphoma kinase
(
ALK
) immunoreactivity led to the correct diagnosis. We identified only 5 reported cases of T-cell and null-cell ALCL arising in bone and only 2 of these cases involved a single bone site. All 5 previously reported cases were ALCL of the classic type. We report a case of ALCL that is unique to our knowledge. This case of monomorphic ALCL was localized to bone and tumor cells contained the t(2;5)(
p23
;q35) translocation.
...
PMID:Anaplastic large cell lymphoma arising in bone: report of a case of the monomorphic variant with the t(2;5)(p23;q35) translocation. 1097 33
Despite its clinical and histological heterogeneity, anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is now a well-recognized clinicopathological entity accounting for 2% of all adult non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) and about 13% of pediatric NHL. Immunophenotypically, ALCL are of T cell (predominantly) or Null cell type; by definition, cases expressing B cell antigens are officially not included in this entity. The translocation (2;5)(
p23
;q35) is a recurring abnormality in ALCL; 46% of the ALCL patients bear this signature translocation. This translocation creates a fusion gene composed of nucleophosmin (NPM) and a novel receptor tyrosine kinase gene, named
anaplastic lymphoma kinase
(
ALK
). The NPM-
ALK
chimeric gene encodes a constitutively activated tyrosine kinase that has been shown to be a potent oncogene. The exact pathogenetic mechanisms leading to lymphomagenesis remain elusive; however, the synopsis of evidence obtained to date provides an outline of likely scenarios. Several t(2;5) variants have been described; in some instances, the breakpoints have been cloned and the genes forming a new fusion gene with
ALK
have been identified: ATIC-
ALK
, TFG-
ALK
and TPM3-
ALK
. Cloning the translocation breakpoint and identifying the
ALK
and NPM genes provided tools for screening material from patients with ALCL using various approaches at the chromosome, DNA, RNA, or protein level: positive signals in the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the immunostaining with anti-
ALK
monoclonal antibodies (McAb) serve as the most convenient tests for detection of the t(2;5) NPM-
ALK
since the fusion gene and
ALK
protein expression do not occur in normal or reactive lymphoid tissue. The wide range of NPM-
ALK
positivity reported in different series appears to be dependent on the inclusion and selection criteria of the ALCL cases studied. Overall, however, 43% of ALCL cases were NPM-ALK+ (83% of pediatric ALCL vs 31% of adult ALCL). Occasional non-ALCL B cell lymphomas (4%) with diffuse large cell and immunoblastic histology and Hodgkin's disease cases (3%) were NPM-
ALK
-, but these data are questionable. The aggregate results indicate that, in contrast to primary nodal (systemic) ALCL, the t(2;5) may be present in only 10-20% of primary cutaneous ALCL and rarely, if at all, in lymphomatoid papulosis, a potential precursor lesion; however, these 10-20% positive cases were not confirmed by anti-
ALK
McAb immunostaining and may represent an overestimate. Positivity for NPM-
ALK
is associated to various degrees with the following parameters: 44% and 45% of ALCL cases with T cell and Null cell immunophenotype, respectively, are positive, whereas only 8% of cases with a B cell immunoprofile are positive; the mean age of positive patients is significantly younger than that of negative patients; positive cases carry a better overall prognosis (but not in all studies). Recently, the homogenous category of
ALK
lymphoma ('ALKoma') has emerged as a distinct pathological entity within the heterogenous group of ALCL. The fact that patients with
ALK
lymphomas experience significantly better overall survival than
ALK
- ALCL demonstrates further that analysis of
ALK
expression has important prognostic implications. The term
ALK
lymphoma signifies a switch in the use of the diagnostic criteria: cases are selected on the basis of a genetic abnormality (the
ALK
rearrangement), instead of the review of morphological or immunophenotypical features which are clearly more prone to disagreement and controversy. Since its initial description in 1985 ALCL has become one of the best characterized lymphoma entities.
...
PMID:Pathobiology of NPM-ALK and variant fusion genes in anaplastic large cell lymphoma and other lymphomas. 1099 99
Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a distinct entity of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, characterized by a proliferation of pleomorphic large lymphoid cells that express CD30. Recent studies have found that a subset of ALCL aberrantly expresses a chimeric
anaplastic lymphoma kinase
(
ALK
) protein as a result of t(2;5)(
p23
;q35) or variant translocations.
ALK
-positive ALCLs feature good prognosis, but some of them lead to poor outcomes. Since CD56 is expressed in some ALCLs, its clinical significance was examined in a series of T/null cell type ALCLs. Of 143 patients, 83 (58%) showed
ALK
-positive staining, and of 140 patients, 25 (18%) expressed CD56. The
ALK
-positive subgroup was characterized by a younger age of onset (P <.0001), lower serum lactate dehydrogenase level (P =.01), better performance status (P =.03), less frequent extranodal involvement (P =.01), lower international prognostic index (IPI) categories (P =.002), and superior survival (P =.0009) in comparison with the
ALK
-negative group, suggesting that
ALK
is a specific marker defining a distinct subtype. CD56(+) cases showed a significantly poor prognosis overall (P =.002) as well as in both
ALK
-positive and
ALK
-negative subgroups (P =.02 and P =.04, respectively). Multivariate analysis confirmed that CD56 is independent of other prognostic factors, including IPI. Although CD56(+) cases showed a higher incidence of bone involvement, no other differences in clinicopathologic parameters were found between the CD56(+) and CD56(-) groups. These findings suggest that CD56 is not a marker to identify a distinct subtype of ALCL, but a strong clinical prognostic factor. Effective therapeutic approaches should be explored for high-risk ALCL patients, who can be identified by means of a prognostic model, including CD56.
...
PMID:Prognostic significance of CD56 expression for ALK-positive and ALK-negative anaplastic large-cell lymphoma of T/null cell phenotype. 1104 76
Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) was proposed as a clinicopathologic entity over 14 years ago, but has been somewhat controversial due to the variability of its defining features and variable occurrence in different age-groups. To evaluate this entity in a pediatric population, 36 cases of childhood large cell lymphoma were evaluated for abnormalities of the
anaplastic lymphoma kinase
(
ALK
) gene that has been associated with ALCL morphology and immunophenotype.
ALK
abnormalities were evaluated by assay for the t(2;5)(
p23
;q35) translocation by RT-PCR and/or expression of NPM-
ALK
fusion protein by immunohistochemistry. Results showed 17 patients to have evidence of
ALK
gene expression. All of these children (mean age, 9.3 years) had tumors that were of T-cell phenotype (with the exception of a single case of null phenotype) and that expressed CD30. In contrast, 19 children with no evidence of
ALK
expression were older (mean, 12.7 years), and the majority (12/19) had tumors of B-cell phenotype. CD30 was also diffusely expressed in 8 of these 19 tumors. The difference in mean age between the two groups was statistically significant (P = 0.015). In three cases tested for both
ALK
and the t(2;5),
ALK
protein was detected in the absence of the t(2;5) translocation but no cases showed the reverse pattern, consistent with
ALK
fusion to genes other than NPM or activation of the
ALK
gene by another mechanism. These findings provide further support that
ALK
-positive ALCL is a distinct pathologic entity among pediatric large cell lymphomas primarily characterized by expression of T-cell markers, CD30, and EMA, and by a younger mean age.
...
PMID:Morphological and phenotypic features in pediatric large cell lymphoma and their correlation with ALK expression and the t(2;5)(p23;q35) translocation. 1117 28
This report describes a case of anaplastic large cell lymphoma with the canonical t(2;5)(
p23
;q35) translocation in association with duplication of the short arm of the non-translocated chromosome 2, as demonstrated by two colour fluorescence in situ hybridisation. Because the tumour cells were tetraploid, these abnormalities were in duplicate, with four copies of the full length
ALK
gene and two copies of the t(2;5)(
p23
;q35) translocation. Despite multiple copies of the normal
ALK
gene, immunohistochemical, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, and western blot analysis demonstrated that only the fusion gene NPM/ALK was expressed and that normal
ALK
genes remained silent. Although based on a single case, these data indicate that structural rather than numerical abnormalities of the
ALK
gene are implicated in the pathogenesis of anaplastic large cell lymphomas.
...
PMID:Anaplastic large cell lymphoma with the t(2;5)(p23;q35) NPM/ALK chromosomal translocation and duplication of the short arm of the non-translocated chromosome 2 involving the full length of the ALK gene. 1121 85
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