Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: EC:2.7.7.6 (RNA polymerase)
 34,946 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

More than 30 fusions involving the MLL gene at 11q23 have been reported in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Some of these chimeras are rather common, such as MLL/MLLT3(AF9), but many are quite rare, with some, for example, MLL/GRAF, described only in a single case. The MLL/GRAF fusion, in which the reciprocal hybrid was not expressed, suggesting that the former transcript was the leukemogenic one, was detected in a juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia with a t(5;11)(q31;q23). Here, we report a second case--an infant acute monocytic leukemia (AML M5b)--with an MLL/GRAF fusion. By conventional G-banding, the karyotype was normal. However, Southern blot and fluorescence in situ hybridization analyses revealed that MLL was rearranged and that the 5' part of the MLL gene was inserted into 5q in the vicinity of 5q31, which harbors GRAF. Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showed that exon 9 of MLL was fused in-frame with exon 19 of GRAF. Extralong genomic PCR with subsequent sequence analysis demonstrated that the breakpoints occurred in intron 9 of MLL, nine base pairs (bp) downstream from exon 9, and in intron 18 of GRAF, 117 bp downstream from exon 18. A 6-bp insertion (ACACTC) of unknown origin was present at the junction. The putative MLL/GRAF fusion protein would retain the AT-hook DNA-binding domain, the DNA methyl transferase motif, the transcription repression domain of MLL, and the SH3 domain of GRAF. As expected, the reciprocal GRAF/MLL was neither expressed nor generated at the genomic level as a consequence of the ins(5;11)(q31;q23q23). On the basis of the now-reported two cases with MLL/GRAF, we conclude that this transcript--but not the reciprocal one--characterizes a rare genetic subgroup of infant AML.
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PMID:MLL/GRAF fusion in an infant acute monocytic leukemia (AML M5b) with a cytogenetically cryptic ins(5;11)(q31;q23q23). 1585 79

Kinase domain receptor (KDR) and Semaphorin3 (Sema3) have a functional relationship and are expressed in human bone marrow (BM). We cultured in vitro bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and collected nonadherent cells from patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and normal individuals. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (RT-PCR-ELISA) was performed to examine KDR and Sema3 genes expression, using beta2 microglobulin as an internal reference. KDR expression ratio in normal control BMSCs (97.0%, 32/33) was higher than in its corresponding nonadherent cells (70.8%, 17/24). KDR expression levels in ALL BMSCs and AML nonadherent cells were significantly higher than in normal controls. Sema3 expression ratios in nonadherent cells from AML (78.6%, 11/14) and CML (71.4%, 10/14) were both significantly lower than in normal control (100%, 27/27), its expression levels were also significantly lower than in normal control. Sema3 expression level in normal BMSCs was significantly lower than in nonadherent cells. Sema3 and KDR genes expression levels displayed a significantly positive correlation in normal control and ALL nonadherent cells (r=0.703, P=0.002; r=0.999, P=0.001). These results suggests that KDR may play a critical role in sustaining the hematopoietic microenvironment due to its high expression, and that KDR may be involved in pathogenesis of AML and ALL. Sema3 could also sustain the survival of hematopoietic cells with its high expression, while Sema3 gene expression may be inhibited in AML and CML.
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PMID:KDR and Sema3 genes expression in bone marrow stromal cells and hematopoietic cells from leukemia patients and normal individuals. 1608 43

This study reports a 1-year-old boy with precursor B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) carrying t(16;21)(p11;q22). Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and direct sequence analysis showed TLS/FUS-ERG chimeric mRNA with a novel junctional pattern of exon 7 of TLS/FUS and exon 6 of ERG. He did not respond to ALL-oriented therapy. Complete remission (CR) was achieved by chemotherapy oriented for acute myeloid leukemia. Allogenic bone marrow transplantation was done and he has been in CR for 24 months. TLS/FUS-ERG chimeric mRNA was not detected after CR. This is the first report of an ALL patient with a TLS/FUS-ERG fusion transcript.
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PMID:TLS/FUS-ERG fusion gene in acute lymphoblastic leukemia with t(16;21)(p11;q22) and monitoring of minimal residual disease. 1626 89

Interactions between the novel histone deacetylase inhibitor LAQ824 and the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor roscovitine were examined in human leukemia cells. Pretreatment (24 hours) with a subtoxic concentration of LAQ824 (30 nmol/L) followed by a minimally toxic concentration of roscovitine (10 micromol/L; 24 hours) resulted in greater than additive effects on apoptosis in U937, Jurkat, and HL-60 human leukemia cells and blasts from three patients with acute myelogenous leukemia. These events were associated with enhanced conformational changes in Bax; mitochondrial release of cytochrome c, Smac/DIABLO, and apoptosis-inducing factor; and a marked increase in caspase activation. LAQ824/roscovitine-treated cells displayed caspase-dependent down-regulation of p21(CIP1) and Mcl-1 and a pronounced caspase-independent reduction in X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) expression. The lethality of this regimen was significantly attenuated by ectopic expression of XIAP, a nuclear localization signal-defective p21(CIP1) mutant, Mcl-1, and Bcl-2. Combined exposure to LAQ824 and roscovitine resulted in a significant reduction in XIAP mRNA levels and diminished phosphorylation of the carboxyl-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II. Notably, roscovitine blocked LAQ824-mediated differentiation. Finally, LAQ824 and roscovitine individually and in combination triggered an increase in generation of reactive oxygen species; moreover, coadministration of the free radical scavenger N-acetylcysteine prevented LAQ824/roscovitine-mediated mitochondrial injury and apoptosis. Collectively, these findings suggest that combined treatment of human leukemia cells with LAQ824 and roscovitine disrupts maturation and synergistically induces apoptosis, lending further support for an antileukemic strategy combining novel histone deacetylase and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors.
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PMID:Potentiation of the lethality of the histone deacetylase inhibitor LAQ824 by the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor roscovitine in human leukemia cells. 1627 99

The fusion transcripts of MLL rearrangement [MLL(+)] in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and their clinicohematologic correlation have not be well characterized in the previous studies. We used Southern blot analysis to screen MLL(+) in de novo AML. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the common MLL fusion transcripts. cDNA panhandle PCR was used to identify infrequent or unknown MLL partner genes. MLL(+) was identified in 114 (98 adults) of 988 AML patients. MLL fusion transcripts comprised of 63 partial tandem duplication of MLL (MLL-PTD), 14 MLL-AF9, 9 MLL-AF10, 9 MLL-ELL, 8 MLL-AF6, 4 MLL-ENL and one each of MLL-AF1, MLL-AF4, MLL-MSF, MLL-LCX, MLL-LARG, MLL-SEPT6 and MLL-CBL. The frequency of MLL-PTD was 7.1% in adults and 0.9% in children (P<0.001). 11q23 abnormalities were detected in 64% of MLL/t11q23 and in none of MLL-PTD by conventional cytogenetics. There were no differences in remission rate, event-free survival and overall survival between adult MLL-PTD and MLL/t11q23 groups. Adult patients had a significantly poorer outcome than children. The present study showed that cDNA panhandle PCR can identify all rare or novel MLL partner genes. MLL-PTD was rare in childhood AML. MLL(+) adults had a poor outcome with no difference in survival between MLL-PTD and MLL/t11q23 groups.
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PMID:Characterization of fusion partner genes in 114 patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia and MLL rearrangement. 1634 Oct 46

The Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) as a secondary cytogenetic abnormality is a rare event. It is observed mostly as an additional, late-appearing cytogenetic change during the evolution of acute leukemia and its presentation as a secondary change at the onset of disease is much rarer. We describe here a patient with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) who had Ph as a secondary chromosome abnormality at diagnosis. Cytogenetic analysis showed an abnormal karyotype, 45,XY,inv(3)(q21q26),-7[4]/45,idem, t(9;22)(q34;q11.2). The p190 variety of BCR-ABL rearrangements was confirmed by a real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction using fluorescent probes. To our knowledge, the minor BCR-ABL fusion gene involving a secondary Ph superimposed on inv(3) and monosomy 7 has not been reported in AML at diagnosis. Along with the identification of more cases, it will be possible to understand the exact role of this secondary Ph in a multistep leukemogenesis.
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PMID:The Philadelphia chromosome as a secondary abnormality in inv(3)(q21q26) acute myeloid leukemia at diagnosis: confirmation of p190 BCR-ABL mRNA by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. 1649 May 99

t(11;19)(q23;p13.3); is one of the common chromosomal translocations in acute leukemias involving MLL rearrangements. This translocation generates MLL/ENL fusion transcripts. In a study of acute leukemias, 148 patients were identified to have MLL rearrangements by Southern blot analysis. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay, using primer sets covering the 2 previously described breakpoints at exons 2 and 7 of ENL detected 11 samples harboring MLL/ENL. complementary DNA panhandle PCR further identified 4 additional cases with novel breakpoints in ENL at exon 4 or 6. Sequencing analysis showed that all novel fusion transcripts were in-frame. The conventional cytogenetic analysis failed to detect t(11;19) in 6 of 13 cases. Of 15 patients with MLL/ENL, 7 had precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 4 had T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and 4 had acute myeloid leukemia. The present study showed that PCR-based techniques are more sensitive than conventional karyotyping for detecting MLL/ENL fusions and an extra antisense primer at exon 6 of ENL should be included in RT-PCR assay to ensure complete detection of all MLL/ENL fusion transcripts.
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PMID:Analysis of acute leukemias with MLL/ENL fusion transcripts: identification of two novel breakpoints in ENL. 1714 26

The mechanism and functional significance of XIAP and Mcl-1 down-regulation in human leukemia cells exposed to the histone deacetylase inhibitor vorinostat and the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor flavopiridol was investigated. Combined exposure of U937 leukemia cells to marginally toxic concentrations of vorinostat and flavopiridol resulted in a marked increase in mitochondrial damage and apoptosis accompanied by pronounced reductions in XIAP and Mcl-1 mRNA and protein. Down-regulation of Mcl-1 and XIAP expression by vorinostat/flavopiridol was associated with enhanced inhibition of phosphorylation of RNA polymerase II and was amplified by caspase-mediated protein degradation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that XIAP and Mcl-1 down-regulation were also accompanied by both decreased association of nuclear factor-kappaB (XIAP) and increased E2F1 association (Mcl-1) with their promoter regions, respectively. Ectopic expression of Mcl-1 but not XIAP partially protected cells from flavopiridol/vorinostat-mediated mitochondrial injury at 48 h, but both did not significantly restored clonogenic potential. Flavopiridol/vorinostat-mediated transcriptional repression of XIAP, Mcl-1-enhanced apoptosis, and loss of clonogenic potential also occurred in primary acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) blasts. Together, these findings indicate that transcriptional repression of XIAP and Mcl-1 by flavopiridol/vorinostat contributes functionally to apoptosis induction at early exposure intervals and raise the possibility that expression levels may be a useful surrogate marker for activity in current trials.
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PMID:Mechanism and functional role of XIAP and Mcl-1 down-regulation in flavopiridol/vorinostat antileukemic interactions. 1730 65

In t(8;21) acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the AML1/ETO fusion protein promotes leukemogenesis by recruiting class I histone deacetylase (HDAC)-containing repressor complex to the promoter of AML1 target genes. Valproic acid (VPA), a commonly used antiseizure and mood stabilizer drug, has been shown to cause growth arrest and induce differentiation of malignant cells via HDAC inhibition. VPA causes selective proteasomal degradation of HDAC2 but not other class I HDACs (i.e., HDAC 1, 3, and 8). Therefore, we raised the question of whether this drug can effectively target the leukemogenic activity of the AML1/ETO fusion protein that also recruits HDAC1, a key regulator of normal and aberrant histone acetylation. We report here that VPA treatment disrupts the AML1/ETO-HDAC1 physical interaction, stimulates the global dissociation of AML1/ETO-HDAC1 complex from the promoter of AML1/ETO target genes, and induces relocation of both AML1/ETO and HDAC1 protein from nuclear to perinuclear region. Furthermore, we show that mechanistically these effects associate with a significant inhibition of HDAC activity, histone H3 and H4 hyperacetylation, and recruitment of RNA polymerase II, leading to transcriptional reactivation of target genes (i.e., IL-3) otherwise silenced by AML1/ETO fusion protein. Ultimately, these pharmacological effects resulted in significant antileukemic activity mediated by partial cell differentiation and caspase-dependent apoptosis. Taken together, these data support the notion that VPA might effectively target AML1/ETO-driven leukemogenesis through disruption of aberrant HDAC1 function and that VPA should be integrated in novel therapeutic approaches for AML1/ETO-positive AML.
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PMID:Targeting AML1/ETO-histone deacetylase repressor complex: a novel mechanism for valproic acid-mediated gene expression and cellular differentiation in AML1/ETO-positive acute myeloid leukemia cells. 1738 44

A 18-year-old man was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). The conventional cytogenetic analysis revealed normal karyotype 46, XY, t(15; 17). Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) identified PML-RARa chimeric transcripts. Complete remission (CR) was attained with 3 induction courses of Ara-C, daunorubicin and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). Three years later the patient relapsed. The blasts in bone marrow aspirate at relapse had AML-M3 morphology, and RT-PCR was positive for PML-RARa transcripts. The patient was treated with ATRA and daunorubicin without success. Two months later the blasts in bone marrow aspirate showed AML-M2 morphology, the karyotype was 47, XY, +8 and RT-PCR revealed the presence of AML1-ETO transcripts and absence of PML-RARa transcripts. The patient attained second CR with 3 induction courses -a course with Ara-C and daunorubicin and 2 courses with idarubicin, Ara-C and etoposide.
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PMID:Clonal heterogeneity in a patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia. 1741 15


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