[Effect of antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ASODN) to PML-RAR alpha fusion gene on acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line NB4].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of PML-RAR alpha expression on the proliferation and differentiation of NB4 cells, and explore the role of PML-RAR alpha fusion gene in the pathogenesis of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).


METHODS
ASODN-mediated inactivation of PML-RAR alpha mRNA was measured by RT-PCR. The proliferation and differentiation of NB4 cells were determined by proliferation curve, morphology, membrane CD antigen and NBT test. NB4 cell cycle was analyzed by FACS.


RESULTS
The inactivation of PML-RAR alpha mRNA by ASODN decreased the percentage of S phase cells (from 56% to 37%), inhibited the NB4 cell proliferation and induced NB4 cells to differentiate to morphologically and functionally mature granulocytes.


CONCLUSIONS
PML-RAR alpha gene, as a molecular marker of APL, is possibly responsible for genesis of APL.
Yu
W
W
Department of Hematology, Xijing Hospital, Xian 710032.
Sun
B
B
Chen
Z
Z
D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D015473:Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D020319:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / Q000235:genetics*; D014178:Translocation, Genetic; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D020319:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion; C093476:promyelocytic leukemia-retinoic acid receptor alpha fusion oncoprotein