Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:2.7.10.2 (focal adhesion kinase)
44,029 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Constitutive activation of tyrosine kinases, such as the BCR/ABL fusion associated with t(9;22)(q34;q22), is a hallmark of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) syndromes in humans. Expression of BCR/ABL is both necessary and sufficient to cause a chronic myeloproliferative syndrome in murine bone marrow transplantation models, and absolutely depends on kinase activity. Progression of CML to acute leukemia (blast crisis) in humans has been associated with acquisition of secondary chromosomal translocations, including the t(7;11)(p15;p15) resulting in the NUP98/HOXA9 fusion protein. We demonstrate that BCR/ABL cooperates with NUP98/HOXA9 to cause blast crisis in a murine model. The phenotype depends both on expression of BCR/ABL and NUP98/HOXA9, but tumors retain sensitivity to the ABL inhibitor STI571 in vitro and in vivo. This paradigm is applicable to other constitutively activated tyrosine kinases such as TEL/PDGFbetaR. These experiments document cooperative effects between constitutively activated tyrosine kinases, which confer proliferative and survival properties to hematopoietic cells, with mutations that impair differentiation, such as the NUP98/HOXA9, giving rise to the acute myeloid leukemia (AML) phenotype. Furthermore, these data indicate that despite acquisition of additional mutations, CML blast crisis cells retain their dependence on BCR/ABL for proliferation and survival.
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PMID:A murine model of CML blast crisis induced by cooperation between BCR/ABL and NUP98/HOXA9. 1203 33

The inv(16)(p13q22) chromosomal rearrangement associated with FAB M4Eo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) subtype is characterized by the presence of the CBFbeta/MYH11 fusion transcript that can be used to detect minimal residual disease (MRD). However, qualitative RT-PCR studies of MRD have so far produced conflicting results and seem of limited prognostic value. We have evaluated retrospectively MRD in a large series of CBFbeta/MYH11-positive patients employing both qualitative and quantitative (real-time PCR) approaches. 186 bone marrow samples from 36 patients were examined with a median follow-up of 27.5 months; 15 patients relapsed during follow-up. In qualitative studies, carried out by 'nested' RT-PCR assay, all patients in complete remission (CR) immediately after induction/consolidation therapy were found to be PCR positive. However, follow-up samples at later time points were persistently negative (except one case) in patients remaining in continuous CR (CCR) for more than 12 months. 16 patients were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR assay: CBFbeta/MYH11 transcript copy number was normalized for expression of the housekeeping gene ABL, expressed as fusion gene copy number per 10(4) copies of ABL. A 2-3 log decline in leukemic transcript copy number was observed after induction/consolidation therapy. After achieving CR, the mean copy number was significantly higher in patients destined to relapse compared to patients remaining in CCR (151 vs 9, P < 0.0001 by Mann-Whitney test). Moreover, in CCR patients, the copy number dropped below the detection threshold after the treatment protocol was completed and remained undetectable in subsequent MRD analysis in accordance with results obtained by qualitative RT-PCR. On the contrary, in the seven patients who relapsed, the copy number in CR never declined below the detection threshold; thus a cut-off value discriminating these two groups of patients could be established. The findings of our study, if confirmed, might confer an important predictive value to quantitative real-time PCR determinations of MRD in patients with inv(16) leukemia.
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PMID:Assessment of minimal residual disease (MRD) in CBFbeta/MYH11-positive acute myeloid leukemias by qualitative and quantitative RT-PCR amplification of fusion transcripts. 1264 62

ETV6/ARG, a novel fusion gene composed of the ETV6 HLH oligomerization domain and most of sequences of the ARG protein tyrosine, was recently identified in human leukemia cells. The presence of the ETV6/ARG translocation raises the possibility that the resulting fusion protein functions as an oncogene. However, the transforming activity of the ETV6/ARG protein has not been determined and its contribution to leukemogenesis is therefore unknown. Here we address this question by analysing the oncogenic activity of ETV6/ARG in hematopoietic and fibroblast cells. It is demonstrated that expression of ETV6/ARG confers IL3-independent growth to Ba/F3 cells and anchorage independent growth to Rat-1 fibroblasts. It is also shown that multiple signaling molecules, including PI3K, SHC, ras-GAP and CRK-L, are tyrosine phosphorylated in Ba/F3 cells that express ETV6/ARG. Analysis of four different types of ETV6/ARG transcripts previously identified in the AML-M3 leukemia cell line HT93A suggest that ETV6 HLH domain is required for oncogenic activity. Based upon these results it is concluded that ARG can be activated as an oncogene in human malignancy and that the ETV6/ARG oncoprotein triggers some of the same signaling pathways associated with activated ABL oncogenes.
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PMID:Transformation of Ba/F3 cells and Rat-1 cells by ETV6/ARG. 1208 Apr 68

Aberrant expression and activating mutations of the class III receptor tyrosine kinase Flt3 (Flk-2, STK-1) have been linked to poor prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Inhibitors of Flt3 tyrosine kinase activity are, therefore, of interest as potential therapeutic compounds. We previously described bis(1H-2-indolyl)-1-methanones as a novel class of selective inhibitors for platelet-derived growth factor receptors (PDGFR). Several bis(1H-2-indolyl)-1-methanone derivatives, represented by the compounds D-64406 and D-65476, are also potent inhibitors of Flt3. They inhibit proliferation of TEL-Flt3-transfected BA/F3 cells with IC(50) values of 0.2-0.3 microM in the absence of IL-3 but >10 microM in the presence of IL-3. Ligand-stimulated autophosphorylation of Flt3 in EOL-1 cells and corresponding downstream activation of Akt/PKB are effectively inhibited by bis(1H-2-indolyl)-1-methanones whereas autophosphorylation of c-Kit/SCF receptor or c-Fms/CSF-1 receptor is less sensitive or insensitive, respectively. Flt3 kinase purified by different methods is potently inhibited in vitro, demonstrating a direct mechanism of inhibition. 32D cells, expressing a constitutively active Flt3 variant with internal tandem duplication are greatly sensitized to radiation-induced apoptosis in the presence of D-64406 or D-65476 in the absence but not in the presence of IL-3. Thus, bis(1H-2-indolyl)-1-methanones are potential candidates for the treatment of Flt3-driven leukemias.
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PMID:Bis(1H-2-indolyl)-1-methanones as inhibitors of the hematopoietic tyrosine kinase Flt3. 1214 94

The alterations in gene expression associated with 1,25(OH)2D3-induced differentiation of HL-60 cells were studied in order to identify potential targets for further investigation of the genetic basis of acute myeloid leukaemia. Atlas human haematology filters, including 406 genes (Clontech), were used to study gene expression in response to 1,25(OH)2D3 (concentration, 5 x 10-8 mol/l) for 24 and 72 h. Compared with untreated cells, expression differences were found in 43 genes. Downregulated genes at both time-points were: IL2RA, CMYC, NPM, DEK, AF4, FLI1, htlf, MNDA, BCR, IKAROS, BPI and NFAT4. Upregulated genes at both time-points were IL1B, CD14 and MCL1. CD55, CD58, IRF2, CREB1, ATF4, RAC1, TIAR, KIAA0053, BAT2, BTK, RCK, EV12B and EDN were downregulated at 24 h, while SPI1, MKK3, BTG1 and IL8 were upregulated. At 72 h the upregulated genes were IL1RA, IL2RG, CXCR4, SCYA1, SCYA3, SCYA4, SCYA5, SCYA22, ANX2, CD83 and UPAR. cDNA array results were confirmed on randomly selected genes using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for three upregulated (CXCR4, IL1B and CD14) and three downregulated (DEK, AF4 and FLI1) genes. Gene expression analysis after differentiation induction may provide a tool to study the roles of DEK, AF4 and FLI1 in cell proliferation and differentiation. To demonstrate the genes that initiate differentiation, sequential gene expression analysis has to be performed during the first 24 h of the differentiation process.
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PMID:Gene expression analysis of 1,25(OH)2D3-dependent differentiation of HL-60 cells: a cDNA array study. 1219 86

To date, constitutively activating point mutations reported in hematopoietic growth factor receptors in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have been restricted to receptors with intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity such as c-kit and FLT3. We describe here a Thr617Asn mutation in the transmembrane domain of the non-tyrosine kinase receptor for granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in the blast cells of two out of 555 AML patients examined. The mutant receptor conferred growth factor independence on factor-dependent Ba/F3 cells. In the absence of ligand, immunoblotting showed weak phosphorylation of JAK2, STAT3, ERKs 1 and 2 and the receptor itself, and there was approximately 70% of maximal growth in a proliferation assay. All signals were significantly enhanced in the presence of G-CSF. Retroviral transduction of mutant receptor into primary hematopoietic CD34+ cells induced G-CSF independent myeloid differentiation as assessed by the development of neutrophils and surface expression of CD11b and CD14. These results confirm the importance of the transmembrane domain for receptor function and suggest that introduction of an asparagine residue can cause sufficient stabilization of helix-helix interactions in the absence of ligand to activate downstream signaling pathways involved in directing proliferation and differentiation.
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PMID:An activating mutation in the transmembrane domain of the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. 1220 10

We recorded elevated numbers of circulating myeloid and erythroid colony-forming cells in 15 adult patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) who presented with high blood white cell counts. Since leukaemic blasts from three of these patients were Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+), we were able to determine if blood progenitors from these particular patients arose from the leukaemic clone or from residual normal progenitors. Blasts and colonies were intensively investigated using a combination of cell surface marker analysis by flow cytometry, RT-PCR and interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). FISH detected rearrangements within the major breakpoint BCR (M-BCR) region in blasts and in some myeloid and erythroid colonies from patients 1 and 2. The minor breakpoint (m-BCR) region was detected in blasts and in some myeloid and erythroid colonies from patient 3. RT-PCR detected long b2a2 BCR-ABL transcripts in blasts from patients 1 and 2, although misspliced short e1a2 transcripts were also seen in patient 1. Only e1a2 transcripts were found in blasts from patient 3. Flow sorting demonstrated the B-cell marker CD19 on blasts and on a proportion of myeloid and erythroid progenitors from patients 1 and 3. RT-PCR also detected IgH rearrangements, further evidence of B-cell differentiation, in blasts from these two patients. We conclude that both normal and clonal circulating progenitor numbers can be raised in both M-BCR and m-BCR Ph+ AML. The underlying cause, perhaps efflux from a congested marrow, may be common to AML patients with a high blood white cell count.
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PMID:Increased circulating normal and BCR-ABL+Ve progenitor numbers in Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute myeloid leukaemia. 1236 61

ETV6, a member of the Ets family of transcription factors, is frequently rearranged to various translocation partners in human leukaemias. We previously described a CD3+/TCRalpha/beta+ mature T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL) cell line, MT-ALL, carrying a t(1;10;12)(q25; p13;p13) with cytokine-inducible lineage switch into the myeloid lineage. Using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction with primers complementary to ETV6 and ABL2, two ETV6-ABL2 fusion transcripts were identified in MT-ALL which resulted from alternative splicing of an ABL2 exon. The fusion transcripts code for putative ETV6-ABL2 fusion proteins containing the pointed domain of ETV6 and almost the complete ABL2 protein, including the SH2, SH3 domains and the protein tyrosine kinase domain (PTK). Identical ETV6-ABL2 fusion transcripts have been reported in an acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) M3 cell line, carrying both a t(15;17)(q22;q21) and a t(1;12)(q25;p13) with unusual inducible differentiation to eosinophils, and in a patient with AML-M4eo. Interestingly, the non-rearranged allele of ETV6 in the MT-ALL cell line carries an arginine to histidine (R399H) mutation which affects a conserved amino acid in the ets DNA binding domain.
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PMID:Identification of an ETV6-ABL2 fusion transcript in combination with an ETV6 point mutation in a T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia cell line. 1240 85

The Fifteenth International Symposium of the Foundation for Promotion of Cancer Research entitled 'New Horizons in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Hematological Malignancies Based on Molecular Genetic Features' was held in Tokyo on January 15-17, 2002. Twenty-nine invited speakers, including 12 from abroad and 17 from Japan, presented the updated results of their research. After an overview of the classification of hematological malignancies, new findings on some disease entities based on novel immunophenotypic and molecular genetic features were presented. The results of gene expression profiling and BCL6 and C-MYC gene rearrangement in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma were presented and oncogenic mechanism of acute myeloid leukemia was discussed. In the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and acute leukemia, the present consensus and future directions were discussed based on the results of multicenter trials in the USA and Japan. As a molecular targeting therapy, the remarkable effect of a BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor, STI571, in chronic myeloid leukemia and gastrointestinal stromal tumor was presented. Thereafter, promising results of active immunotherapy, chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, anti-CD20 radioimmunoconjugate and anti-CD22 immunotoxin for B-cell lymphoma were presented. Finally, recent advances in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were discussed, focusing on reduced-intensity preparative regimens. The recent advances in basic and clinical research on hematological malignancies would lead to further improvement in the prognosis and quality of life of patients suffering from leukemia or lymphoma.
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PMID:Report of the fifteenth international symposium of the foundation for promotion of cancer research: new horizons in the diagnosis and treatment of hematological malignancies based on molecular genetic features. 1241 6

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains the most common form of leukemia and the most common cause of leukemia death. Although conventional chemotherapy can cure between 25 and 45% of AML patients, most patients will either die of relapse or die from the complications associated with treatment. Thus, more specific and less toxic treatments for AML patients are needed. Recently, a small molecular inhibitor (STI571 or Gleevec) that targets the BCR-ABL gene was found to have a dramatic clinical effect in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). These results have encouraged investigators to search for additional small molecular inhibitors and other targeted therapies that may be applicable to other forms of leukemia. In this review, we examine some of the signaling pathways that are aberrantly regulated in AML, focusing on the tyrosine kinase/RAS/MAP kinase and JAK/STAT pathways. After reviewing these two pathways, we explore some of the targeted therapies directed at these pathways that are under development for AML, many of which are already in clinical trials.
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PMID:Molecular targets in acute myelogenous leukemia. 1249 Feb 7


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