Are aberrant BCR--ABL transcripts more common than previously thought?
We report the use of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using 4% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) for the detection of BCR-ABL transcripts in Philadelphia-positive disease. Three out of 50 cases [two out of 37 chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), one out of 13 acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)] possessed rare breakpoints; an e19a2 and e13a3 in CML and an e1a3 in the ALL. We suggest that multiplex PCR using 4% PAGE and optimized for smaller transcript detection may lead to a higher detection rate of rare BCR-ABL breakpoints. Multiplex PCR, however, failed to distinguish e13a2 from e1a3 transcripts. Finally, the presence of e13a3 in CML supports the view that abl exon 2 sequences are unnecessary for the pathogenesis of 'classic' CML.
Wilson
G A
GA
Molecular Haematology Unit, Division of Molecular and Genetic Medicine, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK.
Vandenberghe
E A
EA
Pollitt
R C
RC
Rees
D C
DC
Goodeve
A C
AC
Peake
I R
IR
Reilly
J T
JT
D019457:Chromosome Breakage; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D016044:Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000235:genetics*; D010641:Phenotype; D010677:Philadelphia Chromosome; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000235:genetics*
D016044:Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl