Analysis of MLL Amplification and 5q Deletions in AML/MDS Cell Lines Identifies Novel Targets.

Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 1424-1424
Author(s):  
Bjoern Schneider ◽  
Stefan Nagel ◽  
Maren Kaufmann ◽  
Hilmar Quentmeier ◽  
Yoshinobu Matsuo ◽  
...  

Abstract Genomic amplifications of the 11q23 region occur in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) where MLL and a few neighboring genes, notably DDX6, are deemed salient targets. However, the extent to which amp(lified)-MLL and translocated MLL share effector targets remains to be established. Even less is known about the target(s) of deletions affecting the long arm of chromosome 5 (5q-) which reportedly partner amp-MLL. We analyzed three AML/MDS cell lines by cytogenetics (conventional and FISH) in parallel with real time q(uantitative)-PCR at both 11q23 and 5q2 to measure copy number and expression of salient target genes together with putative downstream targets. The cell lines comprised: MOLM-17 (transforming-MDS), SAML-2 (therapy-related AML), and UOC-M1 (AML-M1). All three cell lines exhibited approximately four-fold genomic amplification of 11q23 including MLL and DDX6, while the amplicon extended telomerically to include FLI1 (11q24) and HNT (11q25) in MOLM-17 and UOC-M1 only. Expression, quantified relative to AML/MDS cell lines without MLL rearrangement, revealed that of the genomically amplified genes only MLL was generally overexpressed, namely by 9.5x (MOLM-17), 5.1x (UOC-M1), and 4.6x (SAML-2). In addition to the highest MLL expression, in MOLM-17 FLI1 (3.8x) and DDX6 (2.8x) were significantly upregulated. Expression was also quantified among reputed MLL target genes, and showed that in the three cell lines MEIS1 was upregulated in MOLM-17 only (by 6x), and CDKN2C in all cell lines (by about 2x), while HOXA9 and CDKN1B showed near-normal levels of expression. All three cell lines carried 5q- with a common deleted region at 5q31 extending from 134.2–137.5 Mbp. Of a panel of genes recently identified as 5q- deletion targets (centromere-TIGA1, CAMLG, C5orf15, C5orf14, BRD8, HARS, KIAA0141, CSNK1A1, RBM22-telomere), only C5orf15 (function unknown) and BRD8 (a component of the nua4 histone acetyltransferase complex involved in transcriptional activation) were generally downregulated - to about 0.25x, and about 0.4x normalized expression levels, respectively. Both genes lie within the common deleted region. In summary, we have characterized amp-MLL and 5q- in MOLM-17, the first MDS cell line to be described with these rearrangements, together with two AML cell lines with similar cytogenetic profiles. Our data suggest that MLL is the only clear object of 11q23 amplification hitherto identified and CDKN2C its sole unequivocal target in AML/MDS cell lines. It is possible that MEIS1 is also targeted for activation in specific cell types or disease phases in MDS. These findings also highlight C5orf15 and/or BRD8 as possible leukemogenic accomplices targeted for downregulation in accompanying 5q-. These findings may point to differences in signalling pathways targeted by amp-MLL in AML and MDS.

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (8) ◽  
pp. 2827-2836 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sigal Gery ◽  
Adrian F. Gombart ◽  
William S. Yi ◽  
Chloe Koeffler ◽  
Wolf-K. Hofmann ◽  
...  

AbstractCCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBPs) are a family of transcription factors that regulate cell growth and differentiation in numerous cell types. To identify novel C/EBP-target genes, we performed transcriptional profiling using inducible NIH 3T3 cell lines expressing 1 of 4 members of the C/EBP family. Functional analysis revealed a previously unknown link between C/EBP proteins and circadian clock genes. Our microarray data showed that the expression levels of 2 core components of the circadian network, Per2 and Rev-Erbα, were significantly altered by C/EBPs. Recent studies suggested that Per2 behaves as a tumor suppressor gene in mice. Therefore, we focused our additional studies on Per2. We showed that Per2 expression is up-regulated by C/EBPα and C/EBPϵ. Per2 levels were reduced in lymphoma cell lines and in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patient samples. In addition, we generated stable K562 cells that expressed an inducible Per2 gene. Induction of Per2 expression resulted in growth inhibition, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and loss of clonogenic ability. These results suggest that Per2 is a downstream C/EBPα-target gene involved in AML, and its disruption might be involved in initiation and/or progression of AML. (Blood. 2005; 106:2827-2836)


Development ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 121 (9) ◽  
pp. 2799-2812 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. McCormick ◽  
N. Core ◽  
S. Kerridge ◽  
M.P. Scott

Along the anterior-posterior axis of animal embryos, the choice of cell fates, and the organization of morphogenesis, is regulated by transcription factors encoded by clustered homeotic or ‘Hox’ genes. Hox genes function in both epidermis and internal tissues by regulating the transcription of target genes in a position- and tissue-specific manner. Hox proteins can have distinct targets in different tissues; the mechanisms underlying tissue and homeotic protein specificity are unknown. Light may be shed by studying the organization of target gene enhancers. In flies, one of the target genes is teashirt (tsh), which encodes a zinc finger protein. tsh itself is a homeotic gene that controls trunk versus head development. We identified a tsh gene enhancer that is differentially activated by Hox proteins in epidermis and mesoderm. Sites where Antennapedia (Antp) and Ultrabithorax (Ubx) proteins bind in vitro were mapped within evolutionarily conserved sequences. Although Antp and Ubx bind to identical sites in vitro, Antp activates the tsh enhancer only in epidermis while Ubx activates the tsh enhancer in both epidermis and in somatic mesoderm. We show that the DNA elements driving tissue-specific transcriptional activation by Antp and Ubx are separable. Next to the homeotic protein-binding sites are extensive conserved sequences likely to control tissue activation by different homeodomain proteins. We propose that local interactions between homeotic proteins and other factors effect activation of targets in proper cell types.


Development ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 127 (15) ◽  
pp. 3305-3312 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.L. Ashe ◽  
M. Mannervik ◽  
M. Levine

The dorsal ectoderm of the Drosophila embryo is subdivided into different cell types by an activity gradient of two TGF(β) signaling molecules, Decapentaplegic (Dpp) and Screw (Scw). Patterning responses to this gradient depend on a secreted inhibitor, Short gastrulation (Sog) and a newly identified transcriptional repressor, Brinker (Brk), which are expressed in neurogenic regions that abut the dorsal ectoderm. Here we examine the expression of a number of Dpp target genes in transgenic embryos that contain ectopic stripes of Dpp, Sog and Brk expression. These studies suggest that the Dpp/Scw activity gradient directly specifies at least three distinct thresholds of gene expression in the dorsal ectoderm of gastrulating embryos. Brk was found to repress two target genes, tailup and pannier, that exhibit different limits of expression within the dorsal ectoderm. These results suggest that the Sog inhibitor and Brk repressor work in concert to establish sharp dorsolateral limits of gene expression. We also present evidence that the activation of Dpp/Scw target genes depends on the Drosophila homolog of the CBP histone acetyltransferase.


2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 2546-2559 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua P. Frederick ◽  
Nicole T. Liberati ◽  
David S. Waddell ◽  
Yigong Shi ◽  
Xiao-Fan Wang

ABSTRACT Smad proteins are the most well-characterized intracellular effectors of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signal. The ability of the Smads to act as transcriptional activators via TGF-β-induced recruitment to Smad binding elements (SBE) within the promoters of TGF-β target genes has been firmly established. However, the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms involved in TGF-β-mediated transcriptional repression are only recently being uncovered. The proto-oncogene c-myc is repressed by TGF-β, and this repression is required for the manifestation of the TGF-β cytostatic program in specific cell types. We have shown that Smad3 is required for both TGF-β-induced repression of c-myc and subsequent growth arrest in keratinocytes. The transcriptional repression of c-myc is dependent on direct Smad3 binding to a novel Smad binding site, termed a repressive Smad binding element (RSBE), within the TGF-β inhibitory element (TIE) of the c-myc promoter. The c-myc TIE is a composite element, comprised of an overlapping RSBE and a consensus E2F site, that is capable of binding at least Smad3, Smad4, E2F-4, and p107. The RSBE is distinct from the previously defined SBE and may partially dictate, in conjunction with the promoter context of the overlapping E2F site, whether the Smad3-containing complex actively represses, as opposed to transactivates, the c-myc promoter.


Genetics ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 140 (1) ◽  
pp. 231-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
M C Soto ◽  
T B Chou ◽  
W Bender

Abstract The genes of the Polycomb group (PcG) repress the genes of the bithorax and Antennapedia complexes, among others. To observe a null phenotype for a PcG gene, one must remove its maternal as well as zygotic contribution to the embryo. Five members of the PcG group are compared here: Enhancer of Polycomb [E(Pc)], Additional sex combs (Asx), Posterior sex combs (Psc), Suppressor of zeste 2 [Su (z) 2] and Polycomblike (Pcl). The yeast recombinase (FLP) system was used to induce mitotic recombination in the maternal germline. Mutant embryos were analyzed by staining with antibodies against six target genes of the PcG. The loss of the maternal component leads to enhanced homeotic phenotypes and to unique patterns of misexpression. E(Pc) and Su(z) 2 mutations had only subtle effects on the target genes, even when the maternal contributions were removed. Asx and Pcl mutants show derepression of the targets only in specific cell types. Psc shows unusual effects on two of the targets, Ultrabithorax and abdominal-A. These results show that the PcG genes do not act only in a common complex or pathway; they must have some independent functions.


2014 ◽  
Vol 369 (1652) ◽  
pp. 20130513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian C. G. Weaver ◽  
Ian C. Hellstrom ◽  
Shelley E. Brown ◽  
Stephen D. Andrews ◽  
Sergiy Dymov ◽  
...  

Variations in maternal care in the rat influence the epigenetic state and transcriptional activity of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene in the hippocampus. The mechanisms underlying this maternal effect remained to be defined, including the nature of the relevant maternally regulated intracellular signalling pathways. We show here that increased maternal licking/grooming (LG), which stably enhances hippocampal GR expression, paradoxically increases hippocampal expression of the methyl-CpG binding domain protein-2 (MBD2) and MBD2 binding to the exon 1 7 GR promoter. Knockdown experiments of MBD2 in hippocampal primary cell culture show that MBD2 is required for activation of exon 1 7 GR promoter. Ectopic co-expression of nerve growth factor-inducible protein A (NGFI-A) with MBD2 in HEK 293 cells with site-directed mutagenesis of the NGFI-A response element within the methylated exon 1 7 GR promoter supports the hypothesis that MBD2 collaborates with NGFI-A in binding and activation of this promoter. These data suggest a possible mechanism linking signalling pathways, which are activated by behavioural stimuli and activation of target genes.


2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 100
Author(s):  
M. B. Morris ◽  
N. Hamra ◽  
A. C. Lonic ◽  
F. Felquer

The phenotypic status of embryonic stem (ES) cells is controlled in part by signalling pathways which translate inputs mediated by extracellular molecules. An important extracellular protagonist in mouse ES cells is LIF (leukaemia inhibitory factor) which interacts with the gp130–LIFR receptor complex to activate a number of downstream signalling pathways, including the STAT3, MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt. These pathways, together with others, interact in complex and sometimes competing ways to generate the well-known characteristics of mouse ES cells of self-renewal, high rates of proliferation, and pluripotence. The addition of a second molecule, L-proline, to the extracellular environment alters the pluripotent status of mouse ES cells, converting them to a second pluripotent population equivalent to the primitive ectoderm of the pre-gastrulating embryo. This conversion, from ES cells to primitive ectoderm-like cells, primes the latter for directed differentiation to specific cell types (1). Here we show, using inhibitor studies and kinome array analysis, that this small molecule appears to work by (i) changing the balance in activity of signalling pathways already stimulated by LIF and (ii) activating additional signalling pathways. Specifically, L-proline rapidly further activates the LIF-stimulated MEK/ERK pathway, tipping the balance in favour of primitive-ectoderm formation and away from ES-cell self-renewal sustained by LIF-mediated activation of the STAT3 pathway. In addition, L-proline rapidly stimulates other pathways including p38, mTOR and PI3K/Akt each of which contributes, to a greater or lesser extent, to the conversion to primitive ectoderm-like cells. These results indicate that (i) L-proline acts in novel ways to stimulate embryo-like developmental progression in ES cells and (ii) through the addition of small, nontoxic activators and inhibitors of signalling pathways, the differentiation of pluripotent ES cells might be controlled sufficiently well for the homogeneous production of specific cell types suitable for use in animal models of human disease.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aude Dupré ◽  
Olivier Haccard ◽  
Catherine Jessus

In many cell types, the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) also named extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) is activated in response to a variety of extracellular growth factor-receptor interactions and leads to the transcriptional activation of immediate early genes, hereby influencing a number of tissue-specific biological activities, as cell proliferation, survival and differentiation. In one specific cell type however, the female germ cell, MAPK does not follow this canonical scheme. In oocytes, MAPK is activated independently of growth factors and tyrosine kinase receptors, acts independently of transcriptional regulation, plays a crucial role in controlling meiotic divisions, and is under the control of a peculiar upstream regulator, the kinase Mos. Mos was originally identified as the transforming gene of Moloney murine sarcoma virus and its cellular homologue was the first proto-oncogene to be molecularly cloned. What could be the specific roles of Mos that render it necessary for meiosis? Which unique functions could explain the evolutionary cost to have selected one gene to only serve for few hours in one very specific cell type? This review discusses the original features of MAPK activation by Mos and the roles of this module in oocytes.


Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 365-365
Author(s):  
Hilmar Quentmeier ◽  
Sonja Röhrs ◽  
Wilhelm G Dirks ◽  
Claus Meyer ◽  
Rolf Marschalek ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 365 Background: Translocations of the Mixed Lineage Leukemia (MLL) gene occur in a subset (5%) of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and in mixed phenotype acute leukemia in infancy, a disease with extremely poor prognosis. Animal model systems show that MLL gain of function mutations may contribute to leukemogenesis. Wild-type MLL carries histone methyltransferase activity and affects specific target genes, such us HOXA cluster genes. While the more than three dozen MLL fusion proteins known today exert different specific functions, they finally induce transcription of individual target genes. Consequently, acute lymphoblastic leukemias (ALL) with MLL mutations (MLLmu) exhibit typical gene expression profiles including high-level expression of HOXA cluster genes. Aim of this study was to find a correlation between the MLL mutational status and tumor suppressor gene methylation/expression in acute leukemia cell lines. Results: Using MS-MLPA (methylation-specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification assay), methylation of 24 different TSG was analyzed in 28 MLLmu and MLLwt acute leukemia cell lines. 1.8/24 TSG were methylated in MLLmu AML cells, 6.2/24 TSG were methylated in MLLwt AML cells. Hypomethylation and expression of the tumor suppressor genes (TSG) BEX2, IGSF4 and TIMP3 turned out to be characteristic of MLLmu acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines. MLL wild-type (MLLwt) AML cell lines displayed hypermethylated TSG promoters resulting in transcriptional silencing. Demethylating agents and inhibitors of histone deacetylases restored expression of BEX2, IGSF4 and TIMP3 confirming epigenetic silencing of these genes in MLLwt cells. The positive correlation between MLL translocation, TSG hypomethylation and expression suggested that MLL fusion proteins were responsible for dysregulation of TSG expression in MLLmu cells. This concept was supported by our observation that Bex2 mRNA levels in MLL-ENL transgenic mouse cell lines required expression of the MLL fusion gene. Conclusion: These results suggest that the conspicuous expression of the TSG BEX2, IGSF4 and TIMP3 in MLLmu AML cell lines is the consequence of altered epigenetic properties of MLL fusion proteins. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2005 ◽  
Vol 187 (2) ◽  
pp. 283-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jee H Lee ◽  
Jamie L Volinic ◽  
Constanze Banz ◽  
Kwok-Ming Yao ◽  
Melissa K Thomas

Transcriptional coactivators are essential mediators of signal amplification in the regulation of gene expression in response to hormones and extracellular signals. We previously identified Bridge-1 (PSMD9) as a PDZ-domain coregulator that augments insulin gene transcription via interactions with the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors E12 and E47, and that increases transcriptional activation by the homeodomain transcription factor PDX-1. In these studies, we find that transcriptional activation by Bridge-1 can be regulated via interactions with the histone acetyltransferase and nuclear receptor coactivator p300. In transfection assays, transcriptional activation by Bridge-1 is increased by the inhibition of endogenous histone deacetylase activity with trichostatin A, indicating that the transcriptional activation function of Bridge-1 can be regulated by histone modifications. The exogenous expression of p300 enhances the transcriptional activation by Bridge-1 in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, the sequestration of p300 by the overexpression of the adenoviral protein E1A, but not by an E1A mutant protein that is unable to interact with p300, suppresses the transcriptional activation by Bridge-1. We demonstrate that p300 and Bridge-1 proteins interact in immunopre-cipitation and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) pull-down assays. Bridge-1 interacts directly with multiple regions within p300 that encompass C/H1 or C/H2 cysteine- and histidine-rich protein interaction domains and the histone acetyltransferase domain. Deletion or point mutagenesis of the Bridge-1 PDZ domain substantially reduces transcriptional activation by Bridge-1 and interrupts interactions with p300. We propose that p300 interactions with Bridge-1 can augment the transcriptional activation of regulatory target genes by Bridge-1.


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