title: Identification and characterization of novel AML1-ETO fusion transcripts in pediatric t(8;21) acute myeloid leukemia: a report from the Children's Oncology Group.
abstract: t(8;21)(q22;q22) results in the AML1-ETO (A1E) fusion gene and is a common cytogenetic abnormality in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Although insertions at the breakpoint region of the A1E fusion transcripts have been reported, additional structural alterations are largely uncharacterized. By RT-PCR amplifications and DNA sequencing, numerous in-frame and out-of-frame AML1b-ETO and AML1c-ETO transcripts were identified in 13 pediatric t(8;21) AMLs, likely resulting from alternate splicing, internal deletions and/or breakpoint region insertions involving both the AML1 (RUNX1) and ETO regions. The in-frame A1E fusion transcript forms represented minor forms. These structure alterations were found in AML1c-ETO but not AML1b-ETO transcripts in two adult t(8;21) AMLs. Although no analogous alterations were detected in native AML1b transcripts, identical alterations in native ETO transcripts were identified. When transfected into HeLa cells, only AML1b, and not the in-frame A1E forms, transactivated the GM-CSF promoter. In co-transfection experiments, the effects of A1E proteins on GM-CSF transactivation by AML1b ranged from repressive to activating. Our results demonstrate a remarkable and unprecedented heterogeneity in A1E fusion transcripts in t(8;21) myeloblasts and suggest that synthesis of alternate A1E transcript and protein forms can significantly impact the regulation of AML1 responsive genes.
authors.affiliation: Developmental Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: LaFiura
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Taub
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Matherly
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Fontana
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Mohamed
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ravindranath
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ge
mesh_terms: D017398:Alternative Splicing; D001483:Base Sequence; D002891:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21; D002898:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8; D050676:Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit / Q000235:genetics*; D017931:DNA Primers; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000235:genetics*; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / Q000235:genetics*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D000075142:RUNX1 Translocation Partner 1 Protein; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014178:Translocation, Genetic
chemical_list: C107844:AML1-ETO fusion protein, human; D050676:Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit; D017931:DNA Primers; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000075142:RUNX1 Translocation Partner 1 Protein; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor