title: Targeting mature T cell leukemia: new understanding of molecular pathways.
abstract: The best studied T cell leukemia/lymphoma from a genetic and biochemical point of view is T-cell chronic lymphocytic/prolymphocytic leukemia (T-CLL/T-PLL). This neoplasia commonly shows chromosomal rearrangements at 14q32.1 including translocations [t(14;14)(q11;q32), t(7;14)(q35;q32)], and inversions [inv(14)(q11;q32)]. The investigation of the locus in question at 14q32.1 resulted in the identification of two related genes named T cell leukemia/lymphoma 1 (TCL1) and TCL1b. Both genes are activated in T-CLL/T-PLL by the chromosomal aberrations mentioned above. Mice from a transgenic mouse strain expressing the TCL1 gene under the thymocyte specific lck promoter developed a mature T cell leukemia late in life, thereby demonstrating that over-expression of TCL1 induces the neoplastic transformation of T cells. Biochemically, Tcl1 protein works as a co-factor of the Akt kinase, a key regulator of antiapoptotic and proliferative signals. Tcl1 interacts physically with Akt, increases its kinase activity and facilitates its transport to the nucleus. The pathogenesis of T-CLL/T-PLL may also involve Nur77, a T cell transcription factor required for T cell receptor-mediated apoptosis. Akt phosphorylates Nur77, thereby blocking its DNA-binding ability and rendering the transcription factor inactive. The recently emerged insights into the molecular mechanisms of T cell leukemogenesis will allow for the development of specific pharmacological tools for the treatment of these hematopoietic malignancies.
authors.affiliation: Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA. Y_Pekarsky@lac.jci.tju.edu
authors.forename: Yuri
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Pekarsky
authors.forename: Cora
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hallas
authors.forename: Carlo M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Croce
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015458:Leukemia, T-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology