Moderate expression of TRF2 in the hematopoietic system increases development of large cell blastic T-cell lymphomas.
The telomeric repeat binding factor 2 (TRF2) plays a central role in the protection of chromosome ends by inhibiting telomeres from initiating a DNA damage cascade. TRF2 overexpression has been suggested to induce tumor development in the mouse, and TRF2 levels have been found increased in human tumors. Here we tested whether moderate expression of TRF2 in the hematopoietic system leads to cancer development in the mouse. TRF2 and a GFP-TRF2 fusion protein were introduced into hematopoietic precursors, and tested for function. TRF2 overexpressing cells were integrated into the hematopoietic system of C57BL/6J recipient mice, and animals were put on tumor watch. An increase in the development of T-cell lymphomas was observed in secondary recipient animals, however, overexpression of the TRF2 transgene was not detectable anymore in the tumors. The tumors were characterized as large cell blastic T-cell lymphomas and displayed signs of genome instability as evidenced by chromosome fusions. However, the rate of lymphoma development in TRF2-overexpressing animals was low, suggesting the TRF2 does not serve as a dominant oncogene in the system used.
Begemann
Sebastian
S
The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA .
Galimi
Francesco
F
Karlseder
Jan
J
D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D064007:Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D043171:Chromosomal Instability / Q000235:genetics; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000235:genetics*; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006413:Hematopoietic System / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D016399:Lymphoma, T-Cell / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000235:genetics; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013154:Spleen / Q000473:pathology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016615:Telomere / Q000378:metabolism; D035321:Telomeric Repeat Binding Protein 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D035341:Telomeric Repeat Binding Protein 2 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000473:pathology; D014162:Transfection; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C534796:TRF2 protein, mouse; D035321:Telomeric Repeat Binding Protein 1; D035341:Telomeric Repeat Binding Protein 2; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; C576324:ATM protein, human; D064007:Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins; C576325:Atm protein, mouse; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases