Breaking bad in the germinal center: how deregulation of BCL6 contributes to lymphomagenesis.
The B cell lymphoma 6 (BCL6) transcriptional repressor is a master regulator of the germinal center (GC) B cell program, required for their unique proliferative and stress tolerant phenotype. Most B cell lymphomas arise from GC B cells and are dependent on the continued or deregulated expression of BCL6 to maintain their survival. The actions of BCL6 in B cells involve formation of distinct chromatin modifying complexes that silence specific promoter and enhancer networks, respectively. The same biochemical mechanisms are maintained in malignant lymphoma cells. Targeted inhibition of these BCL6 functions has emerged as the basis for rational design of lymphoma therapies and combinatorial regimens. In this review, we summarize recent advances on BCL6 mechanisms of action and the deregulation of its target gene networks in lymphoma.
Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA.
Katerina
K
Hatzi
Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA. Electronic address: amm2014@med.cornell.edu.
Ari
A
Melnick
D002470:Cell Survival; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004742:Enhancer Elements, Genetic; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D051560:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6
C084103:BCL6 protein, human; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D051560:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6
BCL6; epigenetic regulation; gene enhancers; lymphomagenesis; transcription factor targeted therapy; transcriptional repression