Biomedical subjects

D Birnbaum

Publications and source records attributed to D Birnbaum.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

PubMed1994

The expression of FMS, KIT and FLT3 in hematopoietic malignancies.

Three receptor molecules, belonging to the class III of receptor tyrosine kinases, namely the receptors for colony-stimulating factor 1, CSF1R (product of the FMS proto-oncogene) and Steel factor, SLFR (product of the KIT proto-oncogene), as well as the recently identified FLT3/FLK2 gene product, appear to play distinct roles in normal hematopoietic differentiation. Their potential role in leukemic hematopoiesis has been approached by expression studies in hematopoietic malignancies, especially in acute leukemias of the myeloid and lymphoid lineages. We present here a review of available data, and discuss the possible significance and potential applications of these results.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1994

Analysis of the mitogenic pathway of the FLT3 receptor and characterization in its C terminal region of a specific binding site for the PI3' kinase.

The FLT3 receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) belongs to the class III subfamily which includes PDGF, CSF1 and SLF receptors. The recent cloning of the FLT3 ligand suggesting its important role in the differentiation and proliferation of the hematopoietic stem cells, has confirmed the initial expression analysis showing restricted pattern of receptor expression within the primitive hematopoietic population. To better understand the function of the FLT3 receptor and its relationship with the other hematopoietic RTKs, we analyzed the mitogenic pathway and substrate specificity of this receptor. The construction of a chimeric receptor called FF3, between the extracellular region of the CSF1 receptor fused with the transmembrane and the cytoplasmic regions of FLT3, has allowed an analysis in the absence of FLT3 ligand. We have shown in previous studies that FF3 is able to transduce the signal induced by CSF1, to induce tyrosine phosphorylation and/or association of several cytoplasmic proteins. We show here that this new receptor is fully functional in Ba/F3 hematopoietic cells, inducing a CSF1 dependence when expressed at the surface of this IL3 dependent cell line. The PI3' Kinase interacts with the FF3 receptor through SH2 domains and its binding site is localized on the tyrosine residue 958 in the C terminal part of the receptor.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

[Genetics and cancer of the breast].

Breast carcinoma is the commonest cancer in women. Segregation analyses support the existence of a major susceptibility gene with a dominant pattern of inheritance in 4 to 10% of cases. Three genes involved in the genetic predisposition to breast tumors have recently been identified: BRCA-1 associated with early onset familial breast cancer and breast/ovarian carcinoma syndrome, p53 associated with Li-Fraumeni syndrome, and the androgen receptor gene in male breast cancer with Reinfenstein syndrome. A better understanding of inherited contribution may have important implications for screening individuals at high-risk in families.

Ataxia Telangiectasia↗

PubMed1994

The GARP gene encodes a new member of the family of leucine-rich repeat-containing proteins.

We have characterized a new human gene, named GARP, localized in the 11q14 chromosomal region. GARP comprises two coding exons, is expressed as two major transcripts of 4.4 and 2.8 kilobases, respectively, and encodes a putative transmembrane protein of 662 amino acids, the extracellular portion of which is almost entirely made of leucine-rich repeats. The molecular weight of the protein immunoprecipitated from transfected cells is 80,000. The GARP protein has structural similarities with the human GP Ib alpha and GP V platelet proteins, and with the Chaoptin, Toll, and Connectin adhesion molecules of Drosophila.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1994

Expression of the FLT3 gene in human leukemia-lymphoma cell lines.

The FLT3 gene encodes a protein that appears to function as a receptor for a hematopoietic growth factor; together with the KIT and FMS receptors, FLT3 belongs to the superfamily of receptors with tyrosine kinase activity. We examined the expression of FLT3 mRNA in 36 human leukemia-lymphoma cell lines using Northern blot analysis. FLT3 transcripts were found in seven of seven pre B-ALL cell lines (derived from cases with pre B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia or chronic myeloid leukemia in lymphoid blast crisis), and in one of six B-cell lines (namely in a cell line established from a hairy cell leukemia). FLT3 message was not detected in five T-cell, five myeloid, four monocytic, four erythroid and five megakaryocytic cell lines. Two major mRNA species were expressed differentially by positive cell lines. KIT mRNA expression was also investigated in the same panel of cell lines, but was found only in cell lines with erythroid and megakaryocytic features (and not in any of the FLT3-positive cell lines). The pattern of expression of FLT3 contrasts with the transcription of FMS and KIT and suggests that the FLT3 product may play a role primary in immature lymphoid cells.

Blotting, Northern↗

PubMed1994

Substrate specificities and identification of a putative binding site for PI3K in the carboxy tail of the murine Flt3 receptor tyrosine kinase.

Flt3 is a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) structurally related to the CSF-1R encoded by the c-fms locus, Kit and the PDGFR which is restricted in its expression to hematopoietic precursor populations and several distinct cell types within the central nervous system. Although the ligand for Flt3 has recently been identified, the developmental function of Flt3 within these tissues has not yet been described. In order to examine the signalling properties of this receptor, we previously constructed a chimeric molecule containing the extracellular domain of CSF-1R fused to the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domain of mouse Flt3 (FF3). The ability of the FF3 to directly associate with or tyrosine phosphorylate specific cytoplasmic signalling molecules in vivo was examined. GAP, Vav, Shc, and to a lesser extent PLC gamma become tyrosine-phosphorylated but no in vivo association with the receptor was detectable. FF3 associates with PI3K activity and the SH2 domains of p85 and Grb-2. Phosphopeptide competition experiments suggest that the PI3K binding site is located outside of the kinase insert in the carboxy tail of the receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1993

Human FLT3/FLK2 gene: cDNA cloning and expression in hematopoietic cells.

The human FLT3 cDNA was cloned from a pre-B cell line and characterized. The deduced amino acid sequence shows that FLT3 codes for a receptor-type tyrosine kinase of 993 residues, presenting a strong similarity with the corresponding mouse FLT3/FLK2 protein as well as with the receptors for colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF1R/FMS) and steel locus factor (SLFR/KIT). An analysis of the expression of the gene using amplification of reverse transcribed FLT3 mRNA by polymerase chain reaction shows that FLT3 is expressed in various lymphohematopoietic cells and tissues, including a series of immature cell lines and leukemias of lymphocytic origin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1993

Localization of two tyrosine kinase receptor genes with respect to the 5q35 chromosomal breakpoint of Ki-1 lymphoma cell lines.

The consistency of the breakpoint on chromosome 5 at band 5q35 occurring in Ki-1 non-Hodgkin's lymphomas is highly suggestive of the involvement of a locally altered gene in this disease. In this study, we analyzed the potential involvement, in the translocation, of two receptor tyrosine kinase genes and putative oncogenes, FLT4 and FGFR4, previously localized near this breakpoint. Fluorescence in situ chromosomal hybridization allowed us to refine their localization to sub-band 5q35.3 and to show that both genes are translocated to the derivative chromosomes in Ki-1 cell lines containing either a t(2;5) or a t(3;5). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis showed that the FLT4 and FGFR4 genes are not physically linked, nor are they altered by the translocation. Finally, Northern blot analysis showed that neither FLT4 nor FGFR4 is expressed in the Ki-1 cell lines, suggesting that they are not implicated in the genesis of Ki-1 lymphomas.

Blotting, Northern↗

PubMed1993