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PubMed1994

Recognition of the ALL-specific BCR-ABL junction in P190bcr-abl by monoclonal antibody ER-FP1.

The pH chromosome, resulting from the t(9;22) translocation, is the most frequently observed cytogenetic aberration in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Two genes, bcr and abl, are involved in this translocation. As a consequence, parts of the bcr and abl genes are fused, resulting in chimeric bcr-abl genes encoding chimeric BCR-ABL proteins. Three bcr-abl genes and proteins have been identified: e1-a2 P190bcr-abl, b2-a2 P210bcr-abl, and b3-a2 P210bcr-abl. Since these chimeric proteins only occur in Ph-chromosome-positive leukemic cells, they are by definition tumor-specific markers. Ph-chromosome-positive ALL is correlated with a bad prognosis, therefore the detection of chimeric BCR-ABL proteins is of prime importance in ALL diagnosis. In the present study, we report on the generation of a monoclonal antibody termed ER-FP1, raised against the tumor-specific e1-a2 BCR-ABL junction in P190bcr-abl. We show that ER-FP1 reacts highly specifically with e1-a2 P190bcr-abl in different assays. The reactivity of ER-FP1 with e1-a2 P190bcr-abl in soluble form was analyzed in an immunoprecipitation assay; specificity was confirmed by peptide inhibition studies. Binding of ER-FP1 to e1-a2 P190bcr-abl at the single cell level was detected by using immunofluorescence techniques. Immunological double-staining experiments using ER-FP1 and a monoclonal antibody recognizing all BCR-ABL proteins confirmed the specificity of ER-FP1 for the e1-a2 fusion point.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Chronic myeloid leukemia with minor-bcr breakpoint developed hybrid type of blast crisis.

Although a breakpoint in the minor breakpoint cluster region (m-bcr) of the BCR gene is observed in about two-thirds of patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia, this type of genomic rearrangement occurs very rarely in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). We describe here the eighth case of m-bcr CML, and delineate unique clinical characteristics found in common to the 7 cases reported previously. Monocytosis with a low neutrophil/monocyte ratio resembling chronic myelomonocytic leukemia was the most striking feature of m-bcr CML. Splenomegaly and basophilia were not conspicuous in chronic phase. A high percentage of immature granulocytes and low neutrophil alkaline phosphatase score were the findings in common with classical CML. Lymphoid and myeloid blast changes have been observed at and shortly after presentation so far. We found a hybrid type of blast crisis in the course of m-bcr CML.Thus, m-bcr CML may be a definite subtype of CML, exhibiting distinct clinical characteristics. The presence of fusion product of m-bcr mRNA in an earlier myeloid cell may involve monocytic lineage in addition to myeloproliferative defects.

Blast Crisis↗
PubMed2006

BCR and its mutants, the reciprocal t(9;22)-associated ABL/BCR fusion proteins, differentially regulate the cytoskeleton and cell motility.

BACKGROUND: The reciprocal (9;22) translocation fuses the bcr (breakpoint cluster region) gene on chromosome 22 to the abl (Abelson-leukemia-virus) gene on chromosome 9. Depending on the breakpoint on chromosome 22 (the Philadelphia chromosome--Ph+) the derivative 9+ encodes either the p40(ABL/BCR) fusion transcript, detectable in about 65% patients suffering from chronic myeloid leukemia, or the p96(ABL/BCR) fusion transcript, detectable in 100% of Ph+ acute lymphatic leukemia patients. The ABL/BCRs are N-terminally truncated BCR mutants. The fact that BCR contains Rho-GEF and Rac-GAP functions strongly suggest an important role in cytoskeleton modeling by regulating the activity of Rho-like GTPases, such as Rho, Rac and cdc42. We, therefore, compared the function of the ABL/BCR proteins with that of wild-type BCR. METHODS: We investigated the effects of BCR and ABL/BCRs i.) on the activation status of Rho, Rac and cdc42 in GTPase-activation assays; ii.) on the actin cytoskeleton by direct immunofluorescence; and iii) on cell motility by studying migration into a three-dimensional stroma spheroid model, adhesion on an endothelial cell layer under shear stress in a flow chamber model, and chemotaxis and endothelial transmigration in a transwell model with an SDF-1alpha gradient. RESULTS: Here we show that both ABL/BCRs lost fundamental functional features of BCR regarding the regulation of small Rho-like GTPases with negative consequences on cell motility, in particular on the capacity to adhere to endothelial cells. CONCLUSION: Our data presented here describe for the first time an analysis of the biological function of the reciprocal t(9;22) ABL/BCR fusion proteins in comparison to their physiological counterpart BCR.

Cell Movement↗
PubMed1993

Molecular consequences of the BCR-ABL translocation in chronic myelogenous leukemia.

The BCR-ABL translocation of chronic myelogenous leukemia represents a paradigm for the study of translocations that create fusion proteins. The work of many laboratories has clearly established that the BCR-ABL protein can transform cells and cause leukemias in mice. This oncogenic signal appears to involve transduction of a tyrosine kinase signal from the cytoplasm to the nucleus via intermediary proteins such as ras and myc. Although the biological effects of the BCR-ABL fusion protein are well characterized, the normal biological functions of ABL and BCR are only beginning to come to light. ABL is a nuclear tyrosine kinase which binds DNA, suggesting a possible normal role in transcription. BCR has homology to proteins which regulate membrane ruffling. Understanding the normal roles of ABL and BCR will help define the abnormal leukemogenic effects of the BCR-ABL fusion.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Both the pre-BCR and the IL-7Ralpha are essential for expansion at the pre-BII cell stage in vivo.

During B cell development, proliferative expansion takes place after expression of the pre-BCR. At this pre-BII cell stage, the IL-7Ralpha is also expressed. Some in vitro studies suggest that pre-BCR-dependent expansion relies on the IL-7Ralpha, and others that it does not. It has also been suggested that the pre-BCR mediates down-regulation of the IL-7Ralpha. However, the in vivo relationship between the pre-BCR and the IL-7Ralpha has not been previously examined. Here, we have investigated this by establishing mice lacking both receptors. Our results show that in the absence of the IL-7Ralpha, the pre-BII population is reduced, as previously seen in mice lacking the pre-BCR, demonstrating that the IL-7Ralpha is important at this stage. A deficiency in both receptors results in a further reduction of the pre-BII cell population. We conclude that both the IL-7Ralpha and the pre-BCR are required for optimal pre-BII cell expansion. Furthermore, IL-7Ralpha expression levels are normal in pre-BCR-deficient mice, suggesting that the pre-BCR does not mediate its down-regulation. As a consequence of the absence of both receptors, the peripheral B cell pool is severely depleted, resulting in atypical splenic B cell structures and reduced serum Ig levels.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

IL-3 receptor signaling is dispensable for BCR-ABL-induced myeloproliferative disease.

BCR-ABL expression led to a dramatic up-regulation of the IL-3, IL-5, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor beta common (IL-3Rbetac) and IL-3 receptor beta (IL-3Rbeta) chains in murine embryonic stem cell-derived hematopoietic cells coincident with an expansion of multipotent progenitors and myeloid elements. This up-regulation required BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase activity and led to IL-3Rbetac/beta chain tyrosine phosphorylation in the absence of detectable IL-3 production. These results suggested that cytokine-independent IL-3 receptor activation could be a dominant signaling component in BCR-ABL-induced leukemogenesis. To unambiguously define the significance of IL-3 receptor-dependent signaling in BCR-ABL-induced leukemogenesis, BCR-ABL-transduced bone marrow cells deficient in either IL-3Rbetac chain or both IL-3Rbetac/beta chain expression were examined for their ability in generating myeloproliferative disease (MPD). These BCR-ABL-expressing knockout cells were capable of generating MPD similar to control cells, demonstrating that IL-3 receptor activation is not essential for BCR-ABL-induced MPD. However, the IL-3Rbetac/beta chain could act as a cofactor in BCR-ABL-induced leukemogenesis by activation of its many known oncogenic signaling pathways.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

The variable, C(H)1, C(H)2 and C(H)3 domains of Ig heavy chain are dispensable for pre-BCR function in transgenic mice.

The pre-BCR consists of Ig micro protein, the product of a heavy chain gene assembled by V(D)J recombination in pro-B cells, the surrogate light chains V(pre-B) and lambda 5, and the signaling chains Ig alpha and Ig beta. Signaling by the pre-BCR is a checkpoint required for further maturation of pro-B cells in the adult bone marrow. However, it is currently not known whether an extracellular ligand is required to initiate pre-BCR signaling. We reasoned that if the ectodomain of the pre-BCR is required to interact with a ligand, then a truncated heavy chain protein would not support B cell development. To test this notion, we produced transgenic mice expressing a heavy chain protein whose extracellular domains except for C(H)4 were replaced by an irrelevant Ig superfamily ectodomain from the human CD8 alpha protein. This transgene resulted in pre-BCR-like signaling since it rescued development of pre-B cells in recombinase-activating gene (RAG)1-deficient mice and resulted in allelic exclusion of the endogenous Ig heavy chain gene in RAG-proficient mice. These findings lead us to suggest that the majority of the extracellular region of the pre-BCR is not required for pre-BCR function and, thus, ligand binding is unlikely to be required for pre-BCR function.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Expression of a distinctive BCR-ABL oncogene in Ph1-positive acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL).

The Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1) is a translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22 that is found in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and a subset of acute lymphocytic leukemia patients (ALL). In CML, this results in the expression of a chimeric 8.5-kilobase BCR-ABL transcript that encodes the P210BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase. The Ph1 chromosome in ALL expresses a distinct ABL-derived 7-kilobase messenger RNA that encodes the P185ALL-ABL protein. Since the expression of different oncogene products may play a role in the distinctive presentation of Ph1-positive ALL versus CML, it is necessary to understand the molecular basis for the expression of P185ALL-ABL. Both P210BCR-ABL and P185ALL-ABL are recognized by an antiserum directed to BCR determinants in the amino-terminal region of both proteins. Antisera to BCR determinants proximal to the BCR-ABL junction in CML immunoprecipitated P210BCR-ABL but not P185ALL-ABL. Nucleotide sequence analysis of complementary DNA clones made from RNA from the Ph1-positive ALL SUP-B15 cell line, and S1 nuclease protection analysis confirmed the presence of BCR-ABL chimeric transcripts in Ph1-positive ALL cells. In Ph1-positive ALL, ABL sequences were joined to BCR sequences approximately 1.5 kilobases 5' of the CML junction. P185ALL-ABL represents the product of a BCR-ABL fusion gene in Ph1-positive ALL that is distinct from the BCR-ABL fusion gene of CML.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1986

The chronic myelocytic cell line K562 contains a breakpoint in bcr and produces a chimeric bcr/c-abl transcript.

In the DNAs of all Ph1-positive chronic myelocytic leukemia patients studied to date, a breakpoint on chromosome 22 (the Ph1 chromosome) can be demonstrated with a probe from the bcr (breakpoint cluster region). Although the K562 cell line was established from cells of a chronic myelocytic leukemia patient, we have been unable to detect the Ph1 chromosome by cytogenetic means. Employing a probe from the 5' region of bcr, we have cloned an amplified Ph1 breakpoint fragment from K562. This demonstrates that K562 contains multiple remnants of a Ph1 chromosome with a breakpoint within bcr and thus may serve as a model system for the study of Ph1-positive chronic myelocytic leukemia at a molecular level. The isolation of bcr cDNA sequences shows that parts of bcr encode a protein. Employing K562, we demonstrate the presence of an abnormally sized mRNA species hybridizing to c-abl and to a bcr cDNA probe, indicating the possible consequence of the Ph1 translocation on a transcriptional level in chronic myelocytic leukemia. The isolation and sequencing of a cDNA containing the breakpoint area of this mRNA provide further evidence for its chimeric structure. Cloning of large stretches of chromosomal DNA flanking bcr and c-abl sequences in K562 and identification of the exons participating in the formation of the chimeric mRNA shows that a splice of at least 99 kilobases is made to fuse the 3' bcr exon to the 5' c-abl exon. Furthermore two chimeric cDNAs were isolated containing chromosome 9 sequences that map 43.5 kilobases downstream from the K562 breakpoint. These chromosome 9 sequences neither hybridize to the 8.5-kilobase chimeric c-abl mRNA nor to normal c-abl mRNAs in Hela cells and probably represent incorrect splicing products present in the K562 cell line.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2006

Not all imatinib resistance in CML are BCR-ABL kinase domain mutations.

Point mutations within the ABL kinase domain of the BCR-ABL gene are associated with clinical resistance to imatinib mesylate in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). To obtain more information about the association between BCR-ABL mutations and type of imatinib resistance, we studied 30 early chronic phase (CP) CML patients, commencing imatinib therapy, using a conventional sequencing technique. Seven patients treated in late CP and three patients treated in the accelerated phase were included for comparison. Blood samples were collected before and every third month during imatinib therapy. Mutations were not seen in any blood sample collected before start of therapy. During imatinib treatment, 2 of the 30 early CP patients acquired point mutations and both of them had other signs of imatinib resistance. None of the five early CP patients with a complete hematologic response (HR), but no cytogenetic response at 12 months, displayed any missense mutation. Likewise, none of 12 early CP patients with detectable BCR-ABL transcripts but in complete hematologic and cytogenetic remission at 12 months displayed any mutation. We conclude that screening early CP patients for BCR-ABL mutations before start of imatinib therapy is not cost-effective. BCR-ABL kinase domain mutations do not appear to explain cytogenetic or molecular (detectable BCR-ABL transcripts by polymerase chain reaction) disease persistence in patients otherwise in stable disease. However, in patients with signs of expanding disease burden, a search for BCR-ABL mutations is warranted.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Osteopontin is upregulated by BCR-ABL.

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is characterized by its hallmark oncogene BCR-ABL and the progression from a chronic phase toward an acute leukemia, with a differentiation arrest of the leukemic clone. In the present study, we conducted a microarray analysis using an inducible model of BCR-ABL expression based on the TET-OFF system, and we found that osteopontin (OPN), a component of stem cell niche, is overexpressed in BCR-ABL-expressing cells. Studies using mutant forms of BCR-ABL demonstrated that the BCR-ABL-induced OPN overexpression was a tyrosine kinase-dependent event. Furthermore, OPN concentration was significantly increased in the serum of leukemic mice generated by transplantation of BCR-ABL-expressing bone marrow cells. Most importantly, a significant increase of OPN concentration was observed in the serum of CML patients as compared to controls. Overall these results show that OPN is deregulated by BCR-ABL oncogene and suggest that OPN could be involved in CML stem cell biology.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Coexistence of different clonal populations harboring the b3a2 (p210) and e1a2 (p190) BCR-ABL1 fusion transcripts in chronic myelogenous leukemia resistant to imatinib.

In this study, we report the case of a Philadelphia (Ph) positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patient with the presence of p190 and p210 BCR-ABL1 mRNA fusion transcripts derived from e1a2 and b3a2 BCR-ABL1 genomic rearrangements, respectively. The presence of e1a2 BCR-ABL1 genomic rearrangement was seen in 2 different clones, one with the rearrangement and another one with the rearrangement and deletion of the BCR gene of the non-rearranged chromosome 22. After treatment with imatinib, the p210 transcript could not be detected, whereas p190 was still present 6 months after initiation of imatinib therapy and progression to blast phase. The absence of p210 transcript post treatment indicates that the clone with b3a2 responded to imatinib and that the observed resistance was associated to cells harboring the e1a2 genomic rearrangement. Despite resistance of this patient to imatinib, no evidence of mutations in the kinase domain of ABL1 was found. Loss of normal BCR in one cell clone may contribute to the resistance to imatinib due to the lack of BCR mediated inhibition of BCR-ABL1.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Detection of bcr-abl gene expression at a low level in blood cells of some patients with essential thrombocythemia.

The major bcr-abl fusion gene is seen as a major marker of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However, whether the bcr-abl transcript can be detected in patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET) is still a matter of controversy. We detected the messenger RNA expression of the bcr-abl gene using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in peripheral-blood leukocytes (PBLs) from 63 patients with myeloproliferative disorders (including CML, ET, and polycythemia vera [PV]) and 51 normal, healthy volunteers. The bcr-abl transcript was detected in 4 of the 30 ET patients (13.3%), 17 of the 17 CML patients (100%), none of the 16 PV patients (0%), and 1 of the 51 normal subjects (1.9%). Compared with the normal controls, ET patients have a greater tendency to express the bcr-abl transcript in PBLs (P=.06, Fisher's exact test). Further semiquantitative analysis showed that the intensity of bcr-abl transcript expression in 4 ET patients and a normal individual was 10(3) to 10(4) times less than that in the CML patients. We conclude that the bcr-abl transcript can be detected in the PBLs of Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-negative ET patients but that the level of expression is markedly less than that in CML patients. The clinical significance of this finding merits further investigation.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

BCR-ABL gene mutations in relation to clinical resistance of Philadelphia-chromosome-positive leukaemia to STI571: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: BCR-ABL, a constitutively activated tyrosine kinase, is the oncogene that causes Philadelphia-chromosome-positive (Ph+) leukaemia. STI571, a competitive inhibitor at the ATP-binding site of BCR-ABL, has been shown to have high activity in this type of leukaemia. However, most patients with advanced disease relapse despite continued treatment with STI571. We aimed to find out whether point mutations in BCR-ABL cause resistance to STI571. METHODS: We analysed clinical samples from eight patients resistant to STI571-who had advanced-stage Ph+ leukaemia-for mutations within the ATP-binding site and activation loop of BCR-ABL. Analysis was done before treatment with STI571 and at time of relapse. FINDINGS: We identified five distinct point mutations in the BCR-ABL kinase domain in seven patients. All point mutations arose at positions that have proved to be important for drug binding and have conferred resistance to STI571 in vitro. All patients with mutations had lymphoid leukaemia. INTERPRETATION: Different mutations within the kinase domain of BCR-ABL can be responsible for refractoriness of Ph+ leukaemia to STI571. Mutation in the BCR-ABL kinase domain might be a frequent mechanism of STI571 resistance in lymphoid disease.

Benzamides↗
PubMed2001

Deletion of BCR region 3' in chronic myelogenous leukemia.

The t(9;22)(q34;q11) produces the BCR/ABL fusion gene which codifies a 210 kb protein with a strong tyrosine kinase activity and is involved in cellular development and growth. Because this translocation is a reciprocal event, it could give rise to a second fusion gene, ABL-BCR, on the derivative 9q+. We analyzed the influence of the 3' M-BCR deletion on the clinical picture at diagnosis and disease outcome in 57 patients with a clinical diagnosis of CML. Molecular studies were done on DNA from peripheral blood leukocytes or bone marrow with the restrictions enzymes BglII, EcoRI, HindIII, and BamHI, and the BCR 3' probe (transprobe 1) (Oncogene Science Inc.), which encompasses almost all of the 5.8 Kb of the M-BCR gene area. In 18 patients Southern blot analysis showed deletion of the 3' end of BCR gene (32.7%). There were no significant differences between patients with or without deletion, either in the clinical and laboratory data at the disease diagnosis or at the disease outcome. The absence of differences between the patients with and without 3' BCR deletion supports the hypothesis that the hybrid gene ABL-BCR does not have an important role in leukemogenesis in CML cases.

Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl↗
PubMed1996

Deletion of exon b3 of the BCR gene in CML: easy breakpoint mapping by a two-round PCR.

We have performed the molecular analysis for the detection of the BCR-ABL and ABL-BCR fusion genes in 50 patients with myeloproliferative disorders. All patients diagnosed with CML (13 out of 50) were positive for the BCR-ABL hybrid. Six CML patients (46%) showed ABL-BCR amplifications of the Ib-BCR type. All rearrangements but one were concordant. The aberrant case presented a deletion of exon b3, in addition to the alternative Ib-BCR and Ia-BCR. Its possible origin and relevance are briefly discussed.

Exons↗
PubMed2000

The phosphatidylinositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase SHIP1 associates with the dok1 phosphoprotein in bcr-Abl transformed cells.

The initial phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is triggered by constitutive protein tyrosine kinase activity of the chimeric kinase p210(bcr-abl) (Bcr-Abl). A major substrate of Bcr-Abl was recently identified as the RasGAP-associated 62 kDa docking protein Dok1. Here, we report complex formation between endogenous Dok1 and the SH2 domain-containing phosphatidylinositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase SHIP1 in hematopoietic cells expressing Bcr-Abl. Expression of Bcr-Abl induced tyrosine phosphorylation of both Dok1 and SHIP1 and the formation of a Dok1/SHIP1 complex. Tyr(P) SHIP1 was also bound to Shc in Bcr-Abl expressing cells. A small amount of Shc/SHIP1/Dok1 trimolecular complex was detected and this was due to binding of Dok1 to SHIP1 that was bound to Shc. In contrast, association of Dok1 with SHIP1 or RasGAP was mutually exclusive. Both the SH2 domain of SHIP1 and the PTB domain of Dok1 were required for complex formation between the two proteins. Neither the specific activity of SHIP1 as an inositol phosphate 5-phosphatase nor the subcellular localization of SHIP1 appeared to be altered by tyrosine phosphorylation. However, the Dok1/SHIP1 complex was only detected in the cytosolic fraction of Bcr-Abl transformed hematopoietic cells. We propose that interaction between Dok1 and SHIP1 modulates the ability of these two proteins to interact with other cytosolic binding partners.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

TaqMan RT-PCR assay coupled with capillary electrophoresis for quantification and identification of bcr-abl transcript type.

Chronic myelogenous leukemia is characterized by the presence of the reciprocal t(9;22)(q34;q11) in which c-abl located on chromosome 9, and the bcr locus located on chromosome 22, are disrupted and translocated creating a novel bcr-abl fusion gene residing on the derivative chromosome 22. In most cases, the breakpoint in abl occurs within intron 1. Depending on the breakpoint in bcr, exon 2 of abl (a2) joins with exons 1 (e1), 13 (b2), or 14 (b3), or rarely to exon 19 (e19) of bcr resulting in chimeric proteins of p190, p210 and p230, respectively. Currently, several multiplex real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-based assays for detecting bcr-abl are available to assess the levels of the three common fusion transcripts, b2a2, b3a2 and e1a2. Although these assays circumvent the requirement for individual fusion sequence quantitative polymerase chain reaction-based assays, they do not identify the specific fusion transcript. Knowledge of the latter is useful to rule out false-positive results and to compare clones before and after therapy. We designed a novel multiplex real-time RT-PCR assay to detect bcr-abl that allows accurate quantification and determination of the specific fusion transcript. In this assay, abl primer labeled at its 5' end with the fluorescent dye NED (Applied Biosystems) is incorporated into the bcr-abl fusion product during amplification. The NED fluorescent dye in abl primer, without interfering with fluorescent TaqMan probe signal, allows subsequent identification of the fusion transcript by semiautomated high-resolution capillary electrophoresis and GeneScan analysis.

Bone Marrow↗