Enrica Privitera

Identification of new partner chromosomes involved in fusions with the ETV6 (TEL) gene in hematologic malignancies.

Several partner genes on different chromosomes have been reported to be fused with the ETV6 gene (located in chromosome band 12p13), with different breakpoints and different frequencies, in various hematologic malignancies, particularly acute myeloid and lymphoid leukemias and myelodysplastic syndromes. By using FISH and molecular analyses, we have analyzed five different pediatric and adult patients carrying cytogenetic abnormalities involving 12p13. Our findings demonstrate that ETV6 was rearranged in all the cases analyzed. In particular, ETV6 was disrupted by translocations with chromosomal bands 7q22, 7q36, 9q11, and 13q12, not previously described as partners of ETV6 in translocations, thus extending its promiscuity in rearranging with different partner genes. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 21:223–229, 1998.

Identification of a novel molecular partner of the E2A gene in childhood leukemia

The ‘promiscuous’ E2A gene, at 19p13.3, is fused with two different molecular partners, PBX1 and HLF, following two chromosome translocations recurrent in childhood pre-B ALL. We have identified a novel gene, FB1, by virtue of its fusion with E2A and by a combination of molecular techniques. FB1 was localized on 19q13.4, suggesting that the novel chimera originated by a cryptic rearrangement of chromosome 19. Two FB1 transcripts, of 1.2 kb and 1.1 kb, are differentially expressed at low level in a variety of human tissues, including hemopoietic cell lines from different lineages. Accordingly, FB1 cDNA displays high homology with a number of cDNA clones from different human tissues. High homology was found also with cDNA clones from mouse and rat, suggesting that the sequence might be conserved at least among mammals. The function of the putative FB1 protein, however, is currently unknown as database sequence comparisons have failed to reveal strong homology with known proteins. The E2A/FB1 fusion appears to be a recurrent feature of pre-B ALLs, suggesting that it might have a role in the development and/or progression of leukemogenesis.

Reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction follow‐up and minimal residual disease detection in t(1;19)‐positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

The t(1;19) is the most frequent recurring chromosomal translocation in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). In most cases typical chimaeric E2A‐PBX1 transcripts are expressed as a consequence of this rearrangement, allowing the molecular detection of the t(1;19) at the RNA level. This translocation has been associated with a poor clinical outcome, although intensified chemotherapy has been reported to nullify its adverse prognostic impact. We therefore used reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) to detect residual leukaemic cells at successive times during treatment and to monitor the response to chemotherapy in six t(1;19)‐positive ALL paediatric patients. Five of these patients rapidly achieved molecular remission and no evidence of minimal residual disease (MRD) was found in the remission bone marrows beyond the third month of treatment. One patient still displayed residual leukaemic cells at the end of therapy, although she has been in continuous complete clinical remission (CCR) for 84 months. However, this patient is peculiar in our series in that two different types of chimaeric E2A‐PBX1 transcripts were expressed in her leukaemic cells, only one being detectable in remission.

Sister chromatid exchange and proliferation pattern in stimulated lymphocytes of cutaneous malignant melanoma patients

Sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and the proliferative pattern of phytohemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocytes were examined in 36 nonfamilial cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) patients. One close relative of each of 27 CMM patients was also examined. All the patients had undergone surgical treatment for the neoplasm, but had received no chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The SCE rates were found to be higher and more variable in a significant fraction of CMM patients, and in relatively fewer unaffected relatives, which is in contrast to findings in unrelated subjects taken as controls. Also, variable and higher proportions of cells in metaphase of the first cell cycle (M1), after 72-hr culture in the presence of bromodeoxyuridine, were more often found among the CMM patients than in the controls; however, no effect of clinical progression of the neoplastic disease on SCE rates or on the lymphoproliferative pattern was observed. The present study indicates heterogeneity among subjects who develop CMM and suggests that the peculiarities of SCE rates and of the lymphoproliferative patterns observed in some of the CMM patients and in a few of their close relatives may be connected with the mechanism of onset of the neoplasm.

EVI-1 gene expression in myeloid clonogenic cells from juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML)

Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) is a rare myeloproliferative disease of early childhood, that is peculiarly characterized by the ability of bone marrow progenitors to spontaneously proliferate in vitro, giving rise to granulocyte–macrophage colonies. Although the genetic alteration/s leading to JMML development are still unclear, several lines of evidence indicate that the JMML initiating cell (JMML-IC) may belong to the pool of early stem-like hematopoietic progenitors. Increased EVI-1 gene expression has been detected in a number of myeloproliferative disorders including MDS, AML, blast crisis of CML, and more recently in the peripheral blood of some JMML patients. In order to investigate the nature of the cells expressing EVI-1 in JMML patients, we analyzed its expression in CFU-GM obtained from bone marrow and peripheral blood as well as from highly purified CD34+ progenitors. Normal CFU-GM obtained both from bone marrow mononuclear cells and from highly purified CD34+ cells were also analyzed. Overall, our results suggest that the EVI-1 gene may be normally expressed in early hematopoietic progenitor cells and that in JMML patients an expansion of the EVI-1 positive cell population can be revealed within the clonogenic progenitor pool.

Malignant melanoma: Sister chromatid exchange analysis in three families

Sister chromatid exchange (SCE) was analyzed in stimulated lymphocytes and skin fibroblasts in members of three families with cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM). Two of these families were characterized by familial CMM; the other family had one patient affected by CMM and two others with other cutaneous melanocytic lesions. All the patients had undergone surgery but no chemotherapy. Higher and differing SCE rates were found in lymphocytes and in fibroblasts of all patients. A wide range of SCE distribution was found in patients with high SCE rate. A few healthy close relatives also showed relatively high SCE rates and wide range distributions. These subjects may be regarded as a subset of family members at high risk for developing cancer. The variability of SCE rates and distribution may reflect genetic heterogeneity of CMM.

A study of spontaneous chromosome variations in seven cell lines derived from Drosophila melanogaster stocks marked by translocations

The present work reports the observations on numerical and structural changes in 7 embryonic cell lines, derived from two stocks marked by reciprocal and heterozygous translocations between the Y and chromosome 3. Karyological analyses were carried out by using different techniques, such as Q-, C- banding and autoradiography, capable to define the distribution of heterochromatin and to identify individual chromosomes. These procedures, considering also synaptic prophases, provided characteristics for distinguishing each line, besides some very similar features common to all cells. Of particular interest was the appearance of various unusual chromosome morphological variants, characterized by centromeric and interstitial or terminal displaced heterochromatic segments, observed never before in Drosophila lines, whereas the original translocation was not found. Moreover, cell lines were found which had been exclusively polyploid since their establishment, irrespective of the length of their quiescence period. These observations confirm previous findings. The probable origin of the marker chromosomes, as well as a possible correlation between the chromosomal constitution of the cultured cells and the original parental karyotype, are discussed.

Unbalanced t(3;12) in a case of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) results in partial trisomy of 3q as defined by FISH

Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) is a rare disorder of early childhood, to which no recurrent chromosome rearrangement has been yet associated. We report a case where leukemic cells harbored a 46,XX,der(12)t(3;12) (q21 ∼ 22;p13.33) karyotype, resulting in partial trisomy of 3q. The origin of chromosome material translocated to chromosome 12 was assessed by chromosome painting using a whole chromosome 3-specific probe. The breakpoint regions were defined by FISH using YAC probes from 3q and 12p chromosomal regions. Interestingly, partial trisomy of 3q has been detected in a previously reported JMML case, consequent to the presence of a der(15)t(3;15)(q13.1;q26). The involvement of a similar chromosome 3 rearrangement in these two JMML cases suggests the hypothesis that either the resulting duplication of some gene/s on 3q or the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of some gene/s on 3p may be involved in one of the steps leading to JMML. On the other hand, it cannot be ruled out that the relevant mutation in our case might be consequent to the particular breakpoints at bands 3q21 ∼ 22 and 12p13.3, that may alter the structure and/or expression of the involved gene/s.

Apoptosis promoted by up-regulation of TFPT (TCF3 fusion partner) appears p53 independent, cell type restricted and cell density influenced

The TFPT/FB1 gene was identified because of its involvement in childhood pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Although its specific function is still unclear, Tfpt has been implicated in cell proliferation and induction of programmed cell death (PCD). Given the critical role of PCD in leukemogenesis, we have investigated the responsiveness of different cell lines to TFPT over expression and the consequent induction of PCD by proliferation kinetic analysis, immunolocalization and TUNEL assay. We have also tested the involvement of factors implicated in cell cycle progression and apoptosis, i.e. caspases, p53, Cdc2.Our results indicate that over expression of TFPT promotes caspase 9-dependent apoptosis, nevertheless the apoptotic cascade is engaged only in culture conditions sustaining cell proliferation and different cell lines display differential responsiveness to TFPT induced apoptosis Although p53 is a main regulator of apoptosis in mammalian cells, the Tfpt induced apoptosis appears p53-independent. These results are discussed relatively to the role played by TFPT in leukemogenesis.

A Drosophila melanogaster cell line tested for the presence of active NORs by silver staining.

Silver staining was used to detect active NORs in a Drosophila melanogaster cell line (C1 82) characterized by dimorphic X chromosomes (XXL), one of the two Xs showing a marked increase in heterochromatin where the nucleolar organizer (NO) is located. The Q-banding technique was used to determine the karyotype characteristics of the line. Ag-positive NORs appeared only on structurally changed X chromosomes (XL), both in diploid and tetraploid cells, indicating that rRNA genes of XL are more active or numerous than those on normal homologues. A possible relationship between NOR stainability, the presence of an increased heterochromatic portion and the selective advantage of XXL cells, recurrent in numerous Drosophila female lines, is discussed.