title: Beclin-1 and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α genes expression: Potential biomarkers in acute leukemia patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Beclin-1, an important autophagic gene, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), the master regulator of the hypoxic response, are reported in several human cancers. However, their expressions in acute leukemia haven't yet been well investigated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to investigate the gene expression of beclin-1, microtubule-associated protein-1 light chain-3B (MAB1LC3B), the anti-apoptotic marker Bcl-2, and HIF-1α, as well as to evaluate the relationship between their expressions profile and prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) adult patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study involved 30 AML patients, 25 ALL patients, and 20 controls. Gene expression was analyzed using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In both AML and ALL groups, beclin-1 and MAB1LC3B expressions were significantly down-regulated (p < 0.001), while HIF-1α (p < 0.01) and Bcl-2 (p < 0.001) expressions were significantly up-regulated compared to the control group. HIF-1α fold expression was significantly negatively correlated with beclin-1 (p < 0.01). Moreover, decreased beclin-1 gene expression and increased HIF-1α gene expression were both associated with poor survival, supporting their pivotal role in the development and progression of acute leukemia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both Beclin-1 and HIF-1α could be considered as important biomarkers determinants of pathogenesis and survival in acute leukemia.
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Sara M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Radwan
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Nadia M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Hamdy
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine-Clinical Hematology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Hany M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Hegab
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Hala O
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: El-Mesallamy
mesh_terms: D000071186:Beclin-1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers; D005260:Female; D015973:Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic; D006801:Humans; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000071186:Beclin-1; D015415:Biomarkers; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
keywords: Acute leukemia; Beclin-1; HIF-1α; MAP1LC3B; autophagy