title: Differential expression of the Bcl-2 and Bax isoforms in CD19 positive B-lymphocytes isolated from patients diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the relative gene expression levels of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2α and β isoforms and the pro-apoptotic Baxα and β isoforms in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and healthy controls (HC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Peripheral blood was obtained from 36 patients diagnosed with CLL and 10 HC. CD19 B-lymphocytes were isolated using an antibody coupled magnetic bead isolation system; from these cells the total RNA was isolated and purified. The relative levels of gene expression were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qReTi-PCR) using primers specific for each isoform.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bcl-2α and Baxα are expressed at higher levels than their β-isoforms in CLL and HC. Bcl-2α, Bcl-2β and Baxβ expression is increased in CLL while Bax-α is expressed at similar levels to HC. The Bcl-2α/Bcl-2β ratio is similar in CLL and HC. The Bcl-2α/Baxα ratio is increased in CLL when compared with HC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bcl-2α and Baxα appear to be the dominant anti- and pro-apoptotic isoforms in CLL. The Bcl-2α/Baxα ratio is increased in CLL while the Bcl-2α/Bcl-2β ratio is similar to HC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, PathWest Laboratory Medicine, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia. Reza.Ghassemifar@health.wa.gov.au
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ghassemifar
authors.forename: Luke
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Forster
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Finlayson
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Calogero
authors.forename: Brad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Augustson
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Joske
authors.forename: Gavin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cull
mesh_terms: D017398:Alternative Splicing; D018941:Antigens, CD19 / Q000097:blood*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D018941:Antigens, CD19; C494826:BAX protein, human; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein