title: The ABL oncogene in human leukemias.
abstract: The ABL proto-oncogene on the Philadelphia chromosome is 'activated' by its translocation in a manner similar to its activation by the murine Abelson leukemia virus--with the formation of a fusion protein with a new N-terminus and enhanced tyrosine kinase activity. Study of this BCR-ABL fusion gene has led to the development of molecular probes which are beginning to play an important role in the diagnosis and clinical management of chronic myelogenous leukemia, and may ultimately lead to better understanding of the biology of the disease. The role of ABL on the Philadelphia chromosome in acute lymphoblastic leukemia is only now beginning to be understood, but is likely to be similar, and a new ABL species has already been identified by several groups. It is likely that this protein is the product of a fusion gene, as it is in chronic myelogenous leukemia, but definitive proof awaits molecular cloning of the translocation breakpoint. Aside from its activation by the Ph1 chromosome, ABL has not been found to have a role in any other human cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Illinois 60637.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Westbrook
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000235:genetics*; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D011519:Proto-Oncogenes; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C000715470:MAS1 protein, human; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D014764:Viral Proteins