Fusion Of TEL Research Articles

Novel function of the unique N-terminal region of RUNX1c in B cell growth regulation

RUNX family proteins are expressed from alternate promoters, giving rise to different N-terminal forms, but the functional difference of these isoforms is not understood. Here, we show that growth of a human B lymphoblastoid cell line infected with Epstein–Barr virus is inhibited by RUNX1c but not by RUNX1b. This gives a novel functional assay for the unique N-terminus of RUNX1c, and amino acids of RUNX1c required for the effect have been identified. Primary resting B cells contain RUNX1c, consistent with the growth inhibitory effect in B cells. The oncogene TEL–RUNX1 lacks the N-terminus of RUNX1c because of the TEL fusion and does not inhibit B cell growth. Mouse Runx1c lacks some of the sequences required for human RUNX1c to inhibit B cell growth, indicating that this aspect of human B cell growth control may differ in mice. Remarkably, a cell-penetrating peptide containing the N-terminal sequence of RUNX1c specifically antagonizes the growth inhibitory effect in B lymphoblastoid cells and might be used to modulate the function of human RUNX1c.

Establishment and Characterization of a Novel Human Myeloid Leukemia Cell Line, AMU-AML1, Carrying t(12;22)(p13;q11) with No Fusion of MN1-TEL

AbstractAbstract 4375Leukemia cell lines are ubiquitous powerful research tools that are available to many investigators. In balanced chromosomal aberration in leukemia, a chimeric fusion gene formed by genes existing on breakpoints is frequently related to leukemogenesis. Cytogenetic abnormalities of chromosome band 12p13 are detected non-randomly in various hematological malignancies and usually involved TEL, which encodes a protein of the ETS transcription factor family. Chromosome band 22q11-12 is one of partners of translocation 12p13 and t(12;22)(p13;q11-12) results in fusion of TEL and MN1 or in just the partial inactivation of TEL. It is important to analyze precisely the breakpoint in a non-random translocation such as t(12;22)(p13;q11-12) and in addition it contributes to the better understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of leukemogenesis.In this study, we established a novel human myeloid leukemia cell line, AMU-AML1, having t(12;22) from a patient with acute myeloid leukemia with multilineage dysplasia and analyzed its characters. Mononuclear cells were isolated by Ficoll-Hypaque sedimentation from patient's bone marrow before initiation of chemotherapy and cultured in RPMI 1640 supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum (FBS). After 3 months, cell proliferation became continuous. The cell line, named AMU-AML1, was established. In AMU-AML1, the following pathogens were negative for EBV, CMV, HBV, HCV, HIV-1, HTLV-1 and mycoplasma. A doubling time of AMU-AML1 cells was about 96 hours. Proliferation of the cells was stimulated by rhG-CSF (10 ng/ml), rhGM-CSF (10 ng/ml), M-CSF (50 ng/ml), rhIL-3 (10 ng/ml) and rhSCF (100 ng/ml) but not by IL-5 (10 ng/ml), rhIL-6 (10 ng/ml), and rhEPO (5 U/ml). AMU-AML1 was positive for CD13, CD33, CD117 and HLA-DR, negative for CD3, CD4, CD8 and CD56 by flow cytometry analysis. G-banding combined with SKY analysis of AMU-AML1 cells showed single structural abnormality; 46, XY, t(12;22)(p13;q11.2). Double-color FISH using PAC/BAC clones listed in NCBI website and array CGH analyses indicated that the breakpoint in 12p13 was within TEL or telomeric to TEL and it of 22q11 was centromeric to MN1. A chimeric MN1-TEL transcript and fusion protein of MN1-TEL could not be detected by RT-PCR and western blot analysis. The wild type of MN1 protein was strongly expressed in AMU-AML1 compared with other leukemic cell lines with t(12;22), MUTZ-3 and UCSD/AML1.Our data suggest that AMU-AML1 had a t(12;22)(p13;q11.2) without fusion of MN1-TEL and the expression level of MN1 protein was relatively high, which might have some effects on leukemogenesis. In conclusion, AMU-AML1 is a useful cell line to analyze the biological consequences of the leukemic cells with t(12;22)(p13;q11.2) but no fusion of MN1-TEL. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Critical Role of the Platelet-derived Growth Factor Receptor (PDGFR) β Transmembrane Domain in the TEL-PDGFRβ Cytosolic Oncoprotein

The fusion of TEL with platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) beta (TPbeta) is found in a subset of patients with atypical myeloid neoplasms associated with eosinophilia and is the archetype of a larger group of hybrid receptors that are produced by rearrangements of PDGFR genes. TPbeta is activated by oligomerization mediated by the pointed domain of TEL/ETV6, leading to constitutive activation of the PDGFRbeta kinase domain. The receptor transmembrane (TM) domain is retained in TPbeta and in most of the described PDGFRbeta hybrids. Deletion of the TM domain (DeltaTM-TPbeta) strongly impaired the ability of TPbeta to sustain growth factor-independent cell proliferation. We confirmed that TPbeta resides in the cytosol, indicating that the PDGFRbeta TM domain does not act as a transmembrane domain in the context of the hybrid receptor but has a completely different function. The DeltaTM-TPbeta protein was expressed at a lower level because of increased degradation. It could form oligomers, was phosphorylated at a slightly higher level, co-immunoprecipitated with the p85 adaptor protein, but showed a much reduced capacity to activate STAT5 and ERK1/2 in Ba/F3 cells, compared with TPbeta. In an in vitro kinase assay, DeltaTM-TPbeta was more active than TPbeta and less sensitive to imatinib, a PDGFR inhibitor. In conclusion, we show that the TM domain is required for TPbeta-mediated signaling and proliferation, suggesting that the activation of the PDGFRbeta kinase domain is not enough for cell transformation.

Tel-PDGFβR Specifically Induces Interferon-Stimulated Genes.

Chromosomal translocations involving tyrosine kinases play a significant role in human leukemia. Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is associated with the recurrent chromosomal translocation, BCR-ABL (t(9;22)(q34;q11)). Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is linked to TEL-PDGF-β Receptor (PDGFβR) (t(5;12)(q33;p13)) fusion. Another TEL fusion, TEL-JAK2 (t(9;12)(p24;p13) has been observed in CMML and Acute Lymphoid Leukemia. All three fusion proteins induce leukemia-like diseases in animal models, and this is attributed to the constitutive tyrosine kinase activity, which leads to dysregulation of their respective downstream signaling pathways. The downstream targets include STAT transcription factors, MAP kinases, and PI3 kinase. On the other hand, little is known about the gene transcription regulated by these fusions.The objective of our study is to determine whether BCR-ABL, TEL-PDGFβR and TEL-JAK2 induce distinct gene expression patterns when expressed in cell lines and retrovirally transduced bone marrow cells. Each fusion was expressed in an IL3-dependent murine myeloid cell line, Ba/F3. The specific inhibitor, Imatinib mesylate, was utilized to control the activation/inhibition of BCR-ABL and TEL-PDGFβR, and an inducible system was utilized for TEL-JAK2. Upon activation of the fusion protein, cells were collected at various time-points for cell cycle and microarray analysis (Affymetrix MOE430A). We utilized 8 hr, 12 hr, 24 hr and 1 wk time points. Our rationale was to monitor gene expression changes through the first cell cycle and then to examine the fingerprint at a steady state point.Analysis of the 1 wk data reveals that a subset of genes are co-regulated (2-fold, p<0.05) by BCR-ABL, TEL-PDGFβR and TEL-JAK2 (Pim1, Id1b, Podxl, Cxcr4, Gp49b and Scin). Interestingly, analysis of the TEL-PDGFβR induced genes (10-fold, p<0.05) revealed a significant overlap with Interferon-Stimulated Gene (ISG) dataset including Cxcl-10, Gbp1, Gbp2, Isg20, Ccl-5, Stat1, Irf7, Serpine-1 and Mx1. Genes identified in this microarray study have been confirmed by Q-PCR in Ba/F3 cells and confirmatory experiments in primary bone marrow cells transduced with each fusion protein are underway. In addition, we will determine whether the transcription of these targets is dependent on STAT1 by utilizing bone marrow cells from STAT1−/− mice. In conclusion, our data reveals that oncogenic chromosomal translocations activate both distinct and co-regulated gene expression and reveal a novel and specific role of Interferon-Stimulated Genes in signaling pathways downstream of TEL-PDGFβR.

Expression cloning of oligomerization-activated genes with cell-proliferating potency by pseudotype retrovirus vector

We developed a method of clone proliferation promoting fusion genes whose proteins were activated by protein oligomerization through the helix–loop–helix region (PNT domain) of TEL. We inserted a cDNA library downstream of the PNT domain with a retrovirus vector. The resulting retrovirus infected cytokine-dependent 32D cells and cells with cytokine-independent growth were analyzed for the inserted cDNA. We cloned 25 independent fusion genes including seven kinds of partner genes. Six of the seven were a fusion of TEL with protein tyrosine kinase, LYN, HCK, FGR, SYK, FLT3, and TYK2. A serine/threonine kinase, ARAF1, was also found to fuse with TEL. These kinase fusion proteins included kinase domains with proper reading frames. These fusions may be a useful model for clarifying the downstream signal transduction of constitutive active kinase and this expression cloning method may provide a new tool with which to study cell proliferation signalling.

The utility of spectral karyotyping in the cytogenetic analysis of newly diagnosed pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

We applied multicolor spectral karyotyping (SKY) to a panel of 29 newly diagnosed pediatric pre B-cell ALLs with normal and abnormal G-banded karyotypes to identify cryptic translocations and define complex chromosomal rearrangements. By this method, it was possible to define all add chromosomes in six cases, a cryptic t(12;21)(p13;q11) translocation in six cases, marker chromosomes in two cases and refine the misidentified aberrations by G-banding in two cases. In addition, we identified five novel non-recurrent translocations - t(2;9)(p11.2;p13), t(2;22) (p11.2;q11.2), t(6;8)(p12;p11), t(12;14)(p13;q32) and t(X;8)(p22.3;q?). Of these translocations, t(2;9), t(2;22) and t(12;14) were identified by G-banding analysis and confirmed by SKY. We characterized a t(12;14)( p13;q32) translocation by FISH, and identified a fusion of TEL with IGH for the first time in ALL. We identified a rearrangement of PAX5 locus in a case with t(2;9)(p11.2;p13) by FISH and defined the breakpoint telomeric to PAX5 in der(9)t(3;9)(?;p13). These studies demonstrate the utility of using SKY in combination with G-banding and FISH to augment the precision with which chromosomal aberrations may be identified in tumor cells.

Loss at 12p detected by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH): association with TEL-AML1 fusion and favorable prognostic features in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). A multi-institutional study.

Genetic aberrations provide prognostic information in childhood ALL. The proportion of patients with detectable aberrations can be increased by combining G-banding with comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). We studied 79 children with ALL by CGH and G-banding, and explored the relationship of these findings to clinical features and outcome. CGH revealed DNA copy number changes in 57 patients (72%), 9 of whom had normal karyotype by G-banding. Gains were more frequent than losses, and changes of whole chromosomes more frequent than partial aberrations. Two frequent partial losses were found; at 9p and 12p. The 9 patients with loss at 12p were studied for the deletion of TEL (ETV6) gene and the fusion of TEL and AML1 genes by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). Eight out of the 9 children with loss at 12p harbored the TEL-AML1 translocation and all 9 had the deletion of a nontranslocated TEL allele. All 9 had precursor-B phenotype and L1 morphology, and 8/9 had WBC below 50 x 10(9)/liter. All children were treated according to Nordic ALL protocols, had a good response to treatment based on day 15 bone marrow morphology, and 7 out of the 9 survived in continuous complete remission (median follow-up 74 months). CGH is a valuable tool in screening for genetic aberrations in childhood ALL. DNA copy number losses detected at 12p associate with TEL-AML1 fusion as well as with favorable prognostic features.

Fusion of the ets Transcription Factor TEL to Jak2 Results in Constitutive Jak-Stat Signaling

To study constitutive Janus kinase signaling, chimeric proteins were generated between the pointed domain of the etstranscription factor TEL and the cytosolic tyrosine kinase Jak2. The effects of these proteins on interleukin-3 (IL-3)–dependent proliferation of the hematopoietic cell line, Ba/F3, were studied. Fusion of TEL to the functional kinase (JH1) domain of Jak2 resulted in conversion of Ba/F3 cells to factor-independence. Importantly, fusion of TEL to the Jak2 pseudokinase (JH2) domain or a kinase-inactive Jak2 JH1 domain had no effect on IL-3–dependent proliferation of Ba/F3 cells. Active TEL-Jak2 constructs (consisting of either Jak2 JH1 or Jak2 JH2+JH1 domain fusions) were constitutively tyrosine-phosphorylated but did not affect phosphorylation of endogeneous Jak1, Jak2, or Jak3. TEL-Jak2 activation resulted in the constitutive tyrosine phosphorylation of Stat1, Stat3, and Stat5 as determined by detection of phosphorylation using activation-specific antibodies and by binding of each protein to a preferential GAS sequence in electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Elucidation of signaling events downstream of TEL-Jak2 activation may provide insight into the mechanism of leukemogenesis mediated by this oncogenic fusion protein.

Fusion of the ets Transcription Factor TEL to Jak2 Results in Constitutive Jak-Stat Signaling

AbstractTo study constitutive Janus kinase signaling, chimeric proteins were generated between the pointed domain of the etstranscription factor TEL and the cytosolic tyrosine kinase Jak2. The effects of these proteins on interleukin-3 (IL-3)–dependent proliferation of the hematopoietic cell line, Ba/F3, were studied. Fusion of TEL to the functional kinase (JH1) domain of Jak2 resulted in conversion of Ba/F3 cells to factor-independence. Importantly, fusion of TEL to the Jak2 pseudokinase (JH2) domain or a kinase-inactive Jak2 JH1 domain had no effect on IL-3–dependent proliferation of Ba/F3 cells. Active TEL-Jak2 constructs (consisting of either Jak2 JH1 or Jak2 JH2+JH1 domain fusions) were constitutively tyrosine-phosphorylated but did not affect phosphorylation of endogeneous Jak1, Jak2, or Jak3. TEL-Jak2 activation resulted in the constitutive tyrosine phosphorylation of Stat1, Stat3, and Stat5 as determined by detection of phosphorylation using activation-specific antibodies and by binding of each protein to a preferential GAS sequence in electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Elucidation of signaling events downstream of TEL-Jak2 activation may provide insight into the mechanism of leukemogenesis mediated by this oncogenic fusion protein.

The role of TEL fusion genes in pediatric leukemias.

The TEL and AML1 genes are common targets of chromosomal translocations in hematopoietic malignancies. The TEL-AML1 fusion gene, created by the t(12;21), is the most common genetic alteration in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia and is associated with a favorable outcome. This review summarizes the roles of the TEL and AML1 proteins in hematopoiesis, the potential transforming mechanisms of TEL fusion proteins, and the clinical significance of the TEL-AML1 fusion.

The ets Family Member Tel Binds to the Fli-1 Oncoprotein and Inhibits Its Transcriptional Activity

The tel gene, recently shown to be translocated in a spectrum of acute and chronic human leukemias, belongs to the ets family of sequence-specific transcription factors. To determine the role of Tel in normal hematopoietic development, we used the tel gene as the bait in the yeast two-hybrid system to screen a hematopoietic stem cell library. Two partners were identified: Tel binds to itself, and Tel binds to the ets family member Fli-1. In vitro and in vivo assays confirmed these interactions. In transient transfection assays, Fli-1 transactivates megakaryocytic specific promoters, and Tel inhibits this effect of Fli-1. Transactivation studies using deletion mutants of Tel, and the Tel-AML-1 fusion protein, indicate that the helix-loop-helix domain of Tel only partially inhibits transactivation and that complete inhibition requires the full-length Tel molecule, including the DNA binding domain. The Tel and Fli-1 proteins are expressed early in hematopoiesis, and the inability of Tel fusion proteins such as Tel-AML-1 to counteract Fli-1 mediated transactivation may contribute to the malignant phenotype in human leukemias where this fusion protein is present.

Fusion of TEL, the ETS-Variant Gene 6 (ETV6), to the Receptor-Associated Kinase JAK2 as a Result of t(9; 12) in a Lymphoid and t(9; 15; 12) in a Myeloid Leukemia

AbstractTranslocations in hematologic disease of myeloid or lymphoid origin with breakpoints at chromosome band 12p13 frequently result in rearrangements of the Ets variant gene 6 (ETV6). As a consequence either the ETS DNA-binding domain or the Helix-Loop-Helix (HLH) oligomerization domain of ETV6 is fused to different partner genes. We show here that a t(9; 12)(p24; p13) in a case of early pre-B acute lymphoid leukemia and a t(9; 15; 12)(p24; q15; p13) in atypical chronic myelogenous leukemia in transformation involve the ETV6 gene at 12p13 and the JAK2 gene at 9p24. In each case different fusion mRNAs were found, with only one resulting in an open reading frame for a chimeric protein consisting of the HLH oligomerization domain of ETV6 and the protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) domain of JAK2. The cloning of the complete human JAK2 coding and genomic sequences and of the genomic junction fragments of the translocations allowed a characterization of the different splice events leading to the various mRNAs. JAK2 plays a central role in non–protein tyrosine kinase receptor signaling pathways, which could explain its involvement in malignancies of different hematologic lineages. Besides hop in Drosophila no member of the JAK family has yet been implicated in tumorigenesis.

Fusion of TEL, the ETS-Variant Gene 6 (ETV6), to the Receptor-Associated Kinase JAK2 as a Result of t(9; 12) in a Lymphoid and t(9; 15; 12) in a Myeloid Leukemia

Translocations in hematologic disease of myeloid or lymphoid origin with breakpoints at chromosome band 12p13 frequently result in rearrangements of the Ets variant gene 6 (ETV6). As a consequence either the ETS DNA-binding domain or the Helix-Loop-Helix (HLH) oligomerization domain of ETV6 is fused to different partner genes. We show here that a t(9; 12)(p24; p13) in a case of early pre-B acute lymphoid leukemia and a t(9; 15; 12)(p24; q15; p13) in atypical chronic myelogenous leukemia in transformation involve the ETV6 gene at 12p13 and the JAK2 gene at 9p24. In each case different fusion mRNAs were found, with only one resulting in an open reading frame for a chimeric protein consisting of the HLH oligomerization domain of ETV6 and the protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) domain of JAK2. The cloning of the complete human JAK2 coding and genomic sequences and of the genomic junction fragments of the translocations allowed a characterization of the different splice events leading to the various mRNAs. JAK2 plays a central role in non–protein tyrosine kinase receptor signaling pathways, which could explain its involvement in malignancies of different hematologic lineages. Besides hop in Drosophila no member of the JAK family has yet been implicated in tumorigenesis.

Detection of the Der (21)t(12;21) Chromosome Forming the TEL-AML1 Fusion Gene in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

The t(12;21) (p13;q22) is observed in approximately 20-25% of childhood B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cases in both Asian and Caucasian populations. This translocation results in the fusion of TEL, a recently described ETS-like gene on 12p13, and AML1, which was shown to be involved in the formation of fusion genes with ETO and EVI1 in myeloid leukemias. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis are useful in detecting this translocation which is not readily identified with routine cytogenetic techniques. The t(12;21) is associated with a distinct subgroup of patients characterized by an age between 1 and 10 years, an early B immunophenotype, and a good prognosis. A high incidence of the deletion of non-translocated TEL is another characteristic of leukemic cells with this translocation. TEL-AML1 hybrid protein thought to be critical in leukemogenesis possesses the HLH domain of TEL fused to almost the entire AML1 protein, although the detailed mechanisms of leukemogenesis remain obscure. RT-PCR combined with FISH analysis of posttreatment samples appears to be useful in detecting early relapse or minimal residual disease and thus, is expected to optimize the treatment strategy for patients with t(12;21).

High Frequency of t(12;21) in Childhood B-Lineage Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

The recurrent t(12;21)(p12;q22) translocation fuses two genes, TEL and AML1, that have previously been shown to be independently involved in myeloid malignant proliferations. A search for rearrangement of the TEL locus in the region known to be involved in t(12;21) was performed by Southern blotting in a panel of hematopoietic malignancies. The presence of a t(12;21) was confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and/or reverse transcriptase (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We report that fusion of TEL to AML1 is specifically observed in at least 16% of the childhood B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) investigated, none of which had been previously identified as harboring t(12;21).