title: RAS gene mutations in acute and chronic myelocytic leukemias, chronic myeloproliferative disorders, and myelodysplastic syndromes.
abstract: We report on investigations aimed at detecting mutated RAS genes in a variety of preleukemic disorders and leukemias of myeloid origin. DNA transfection analyses (tumorigenicity assay) and hybridization to mutation-specific oligonucleotide probes established NRAS mutations in codon 12 or 61 of 4/9 acute myelocytic leukemias (AML) and three AML lines. Leukemic cells of another AML patient showed HRAS gene activation. By using a rapid and sensitive dot-blot screening procedure based on the combination of in vitro amplification of RAS-specific sequences and oligonucleotide hybridization we additionally screened 15 myelodysplastic syndromes, 26 Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myelocytic leukemias in chronic or acute phase, and 19 other chronic myeloproliferative disorders. A mutation within NRAS codon 12 could thus be demonstrated in a patient with idiopathic myelofibrosis and in another with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. Moreover, mutated NRAS sequences were detected in lymphocytes, in granulocytes, as well as in monocytes/macrophages of the latter case.
mesh_terms: D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D011905:Genes, ras; D006801:Humans; D007951:Leukemia, Myeloid / Q000235:genetics*; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000235:genetics*; D009154:Mutation; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000235:genetics*; D009196:Myeloproliferative Disorders / Q000235:genetics*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins