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Marginal zone cell lymphomas of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) are the most common subtype of lymphoma arising at extranodal sites. The t(11;18)(q21;q21) appears to be the key genetic lesion and is found in approximately 50% of cytogenetically abnormal low-grade MALT lymphomas. We show that the API2gene, encoding an inhibitor of apoptosis also known as c-IAP2, HIAP1,andMIHC,and a novel gene on 18q21 characterized by several Ig-like C2-type domains, named MLT,are recurrently rearranged in the t(11;18). In both MALT lymphomas analyzed, the breakpoint inAPI2occurred in the intron separating the exons coding respectively for the baculovirus IAP repeat domains and the caspase recruitment domain. The breakpoints within MLTdiffered but the open reading frame was conserved in both cases. In one case, the translocation was accompanied by a cryptic deletion involving the 3′ part of API2.As a result, the reciprocal transcript was not present, strongly suggesting that the API2-MLTfusion is involved in the oncogenesis of MALT lymphoma.

Translocations in hematologic disease of myeloid or lymphoid origin with breakpoints at chromosome band 12p13 frequently result in rearrangements of the Ets variant gene 6 (ETV6). As a consequence either the ETS DNA-binding domain or the Helix-Loop-Helix (HLH) oligomerization domain of ETV6 is fused to different partner genes. We show here that a t(9; 12)(p24; p13) in a case of early pre-B acute lymphoid leukemia and a t(9; 15; 12)(p24; q15; p13) in atypical chronic myelogenous leukemia in transformation involve the ETV6 gene at 12p13 and the JAK2 gene at 9p24. In each case different fusion mRNAs were found, with only one resulting in an open reading frame for a chimeric protein consisting of the HLH oligomerization domain of ETV6 and the protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) domain of JAK2. The cloning of the complete human JAK2 coding and genomic sequences and of the genomic junction fragments of the translocations allowed a characterization of the different splice events leading to the various mRNAs. JAK2 plays a central role in non–protein tyrosine kinase receptor signaling pathways, which could explain its involvement in malignancies of different hematologic lineages. Besides hop in Drosophila no member of the JAK family has yet been implicated in tumorigenesis.

Translocation t(5; 12)(q33; p13), resulting in an ETV6/PDGFRB gene fusion, is a recurrent chromosomal abnormality associated with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). An analogous translocation was also found in four cell lines with features of pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) we show here that in three of these cell lines identical complex rearrangements occurred. However, the regions involved on 5q and 12p are different from the breakpoints in CMML, and the translocation is accompanied by seemingly identical cryptic deletions of both 5q and 12p chromosome sequences in all analyzed pre-B ALL cell lines. The similar cytogenetic, FISH, and immunophenotyping findings in the three cell lines suggest that the t(5; 12)(q31q33; p12) defines a new entity of pre-B ALL.

We previously isolated a cDNA fragment homologous to theDrosophila Bicaudal-Dgene (Bic-D) using a hybridization selection procedure with cosmids derived from the short arm of human chromosome 12. A PCR-mediated cDNA cloning strategy was applied to obtain the coding sequence of the human homologue (BICD1) and to generate a partial mouse (Bicdh1) cDNA. TheDrosophila Bicaudal-Dgene encodes a coiled coil protein, characterized by five α-helix domains and a leucine zipper motif, that forms part of the cytoskeleton and mediates the correct sorting of mRNAs for oocyte- and axis-determining factors during oogenesis. Analysis of the predicted amino acid sequence of theBICD1cDNA clones indicates that the sequence similarity is essentially limited to the amphipatic helices and the leucine zipper, but the conserved order of these domains suggests a similar function of the protein in mammalians. A database search further indicates the existence of a second human homologue on chromosome arm 9q and aCaenorhabditis eleganshomologue. Northern blot analysis indicates that both the human and the murine homologues produce an mRNA species of ≅9.5 kb expressed in brain, heart, and skeletal muscle and during mouse embryonic development. The conserved structural characteristics of theBICD1protein and its expression in muscle and especially brain suggest thatBICD1is a component of a cytoskeleton-based mRNA sorting mechanism conserved during evolution.

A novel gene, TEGT (testis enhanced gene transcript), has been identified in humans. It does not belong to any known gene family of vertebrates. The deduced amino acid sequence of the gene and a bacterial protein of unknown function show low but significant homology and very similar hydrophobicity profiles. Two different transcripts of TEGT occur, which are due to alternative usage of two polyadenylation sites. The presence of a nuclear targeting motif indicates that the gene product might localize to the nucleus. The TEGT gene maps to human chromosome 12q12-q13 and belongs to a syntenic group, which is conserved in human, mouse, and rat.

We have identified a new recurrent reciprocal translocation between chromosome 3 and 12 with breakpoints at bands 3q26 and 12p13, t(3; 12)(q26;p13) in the malignant cells from five patients with acute transformation of myelodysplastic syndrome or blast crisis of chronic myelogenous leukemia. t(3;12)(q26;p13) appears as a rare but nonrandom event present in various myeloid leukemia subtypes, which is frequently associated with dysplasia of megakaryocytics, multi-lineage involvement, short duration of any blastic phase, and a very poor prognosis. Here, we report the molecular cytogenetic analysis of the t(3;12). Fluorescence in situ hy-bridization results indicate that the 3q26 breakpoints are quite heterogeneous and occur 5' of MDS1, 3' of EVI1, or between MDS1and EVILOur results are very similar to those observed in other 3q26 rearrangements in which breakpoints were shown to occur over considerable distances 5' and 3' of EVILFluorescence in situ hybridization investigations proved that, in three myelodysplastic syndrome cases with t(3;12)(q26;p13), the 12p13 breakpoint occurred within the TELgene.

The unique steric type of inhibition of endopeptidases by human alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2-M) and the inactivation of the latter by methylamine were examined in relation to the internal thioesters in alpha 2M. The present results confirm our previous findings that disruption of the internal thioesters, is not in itself sufficient to cause the conformational change of alpha 2M typical of alpha 2-M-proteinase complexes; the electrophoretically slow form of alpha 2M with [14C]methylamine incorporated was isolated. Moreover, this group is stabilized by derivatization of the exposed cysteine thiol groups. Cyanylation with 2,4-dinitrophenyl thiocyanate during the methylamine reaction was the most effective procedure, yielding essentially only slow-form alpha 2M. Other thiol-specific reagents were less effective. When allowed to react with trypsin the cyanylated derivative (slow-form alpha 2M with thioesters broken) produced anomalous complexes; only half the expected amount of trypsin was bound, whereas the complexes were fully inhibited by soya-bean trypsin inhibitor and were proteolytically active. Despite this, the anomalous complexes were recognized by two highly specific probes: the fibroblast alpha 2M-complex receptor and the monoclonal antibody (F2B2) directed against the receptor-recognition site on alpha 2M complexes. The results show that the internal thioesters in alpha 2M are necessary for the conformational change producing sterically inhibited endoproteinase complexes, but do not participate as such in receptor-mediated endocytosis of these complexes.

An arrayed library of human heterogeneous nuclear complementary (hnc) DNA was constructed from a somatic cell hybrid (M28) containing an i(12p) marker as the sole human chromosome. Heterogeneous nuclear (hn) RNA of M28 was used to synthesize first-strand hncDNA with a primer (RT) containing a random hexanucleotide at its 3′ end. Specific amplification of human sequences from this hncDNA was performed using Aluprimers in combination with the RT primer. The products were directionally cloned and an arrayed library was constructed. Experiments indicated that all clones were derived from transcribed sequences. A number of randomly isolated clones were evaluated by Southern and Northern experiments, sequence analysis, and PCR. At least 80% of these clones were of human 12p origin. The number of independent clones in the library was estimated to be approximately 550. Using 60 hncDNA clones as probes, 6 showed positive signals on Northern blots. For 3 of these, the corresponding cDNAs were isolated: clone CD60A1 codes for the cation-dependent mannose 6-phosphate receptor, clone CC6 is a human homologue of the bovine 39-kDa nuclear-encoded NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit, and CD18 belongs to the family of tumor necrosis factor receptor proteins. Southern experiments showed the 3 cDNAs to map to human chromosome 12p as expected. Taken together these results show that the generation of a hncDNA library is a useful tool for the isolation of unknown genes located on a human chromosome (fragment) present in a somatic cell hybrid.

The four vertebrate glypican-related integral membrane proteoglycans identified so far constitute a discrete family of heparan sulfate proteoglycans that are linked to the cell surface via glycosyl phosphatidylinositol. In addition to the GPI anchor and substitution with heparan sulfate, the members of this family show significant sequence homology and share a unique and characteristic cysteine motif. Starting from an EST entry that showed significant sequence similarity to MXR7 and OCI-5 (coding, respectively, for human and rat glypican-3), we have isolated a human cDNA coding for glypican-5, a novel member of this proteoglycan family. The gene for this novel glypican (GPC5) maps to 13q32. In the adult, it is primarily expressed in brain tissue.

The VLA-4 integrin (CD49d/CD29), initially discovered on lymphoid cells, is actually known to be highly expressed on T cells, B cells, monocytes, and derived cell lines. Unlike other VLA integrins, mainly involved in cell-matrix adhesive interactions, VLA-4 has also been implicated in several cellular interactions. Based on the published α4 cDNA sequence, a 1,142-bp α4 cDNA fragment was amplified using the polymerase chain reaction. This fragment was used to isolate three overlapping genomic clones from a phage library. By Southern analysis with the cDNA probe, and using the polymerase chain reaction on DNA isolated from a panel of human/mouse somatic cell hybrids, the α4 gene was mapped to chromosome 2. Fluorescence in situ hybridization confirmed this assignment and allowed a more precise mapping to chromosome 2q31-32.© 1991 by The American Society of Hematology. 0006–4971/91/7809-0043S3.00/0

The glypicans constitute a growing family of cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans that may play a role in the control of cell division and growth regulation. Recently, deletions and translocations involvingGPC3(the gene for glypican-3, localized on Xq26) have been identified in patients with Simpson–Golabi–Behmel syndrome (SGBS). This X-linked syndrome is characterized by pre- and postnatal overgrowth, visceral and skeletal abnormalities, and a high risk for the development of embryonal tumors, mostly Wilms tumor and neuroblastoma. In the present report we show that the gene for human K-glypican/glypican-4 (GPC4) also maps to Xq26, centromeric toGPC3. The glypican-4 protein is encoded by nine exons. Establishment of a BAC/PAC contig physically linkingGPC4andGPC3indicates that these two genes are arranged in a tandem array, the 5′ end ofGPC4flanking the 3′ end ofGPC3. Unlike the glypican-3 message, the glypican-4 message is nearly ubiquitous. Analysis of DNA samples from eight patients with diagnosis of SGBS identified one individual with a deletion that involves the entireGPC4gene and the last two exons ofGPC3.The tight clustering ofGPC3andGPC4,with deletions that occasionally affect both genes, may be relevant for explaining the variability of the SGBS phenotype.

The a2 subunit of the VLA-2 receptor (CD49B) was mapped to human chromosome 5 by several independent approaches. First, the expression of the a2 subunit at the protein level was investigated in a panel of human-mouse hybrid cell lines. Cell surface expression was detected by indirect immunofluorescence with monoclonal anti-a2 antibody 12F1. Intracellular a2 antigen was detected by immunostaining of whole cell extracts or of immunoprecipitated 12F1 antigen with the monoclonal antibodies 3H8 and 5C5. Second, the presence of human genomic a2 sequences in the panel of human-mouse hybrids was detected by PCR, using primers derived from the published a2 cDNA sequence. The specificity of the amplification product was shown by direct sequencing. The results of the PCR study were confirmed by amplifying aCD14 gene fragment, known to map to chromosome 5. Finally, in situ hybridization with a3H-labeled 1040-bp cDNA probe, also obtained by PCR, confirmed and refined the localization ofCD49B on chromosome 5 at q23-31.

Abstract: The human amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) is a member of the degenerin/ENaC family of ion channels and regulates fluid and electrolyte absorption across a number of epithelia, including kidney, colon and lung. Native ENaC has been shown to be a multimer made up of at least three homologous subunits (α, β, γ) and mutations affecting the channel complex have been identified in various human diseases. “Gain of function” mutations in one of the three ENaC subunits have been found to cause pseudoaldosteronism (Liddle’s syndrome) and ENaC “reduction of function” mutations are found in patients affected with the recessive form of pseudohypoaldosteronism (PHA) type 1. In this report, we describe the genomic organisation of the humanαENaC gene. Human αENaC consists of 13 exons spanning 17 kb on chromosome 12p13 and contains at least eight Alu sequences. In addition to the intron/exon boundaries, we have deciphered almost all the intron sequences and 475 bp of the CCAAT-less and TATA-less 5′ flanking region.

Heparitinase treatment of cell surface-associated heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) of human lung fibroblasts reveals core proteins with apparent Mrvalues of 125,000, 90,000, 64,000, 48,000 and 35,000 (Lories, V., De Boeck, H., David, G., Cassiman, J.-J., and Van den Berghe, H. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 854–859). The 90- and 48-kDa core proteins share the epitope of the monoclonal antibody 6G12 which was used to screen a human lung fibroblast expression cDNA library.

The elucidation of the molecular structure of the receptor recognition site of human alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) was approached by mapping the epitopes of two monoclonal antibodies (F2B2 and F12A3). These antibodies were shown to be complex-specific, defining neo-antigenic sites not detectable on native alpha 2M and thereby mimicking the specificity of the receptor expressed on macrophages and fibroblasts. The antibodies inhibited binding of alpha 2M-trypsin complexes to the receptor. The epitopes of both monoclonal antibodies are shown here to be located on the Mr 60,000 heat-induced fragment of partially reduced alpha 2M. Limited proteolysis of alpha 2M-methylamine with lysine-specific bacterial endoproteinase was examined by rate electrophoresis and by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to correlate the loss of the epitopes with the generation of defined fragments. 14C-Labeled alpha 2M-methylamine was used as an internal marker for the position of the thioesters. Finally, the epitopes were protected toward proteolysis by subjecting immune complexes of alpha 2M-methylamine with the monoclonal antibodies to proteolysis under the same conditions as uncomplexed alpha 2M-methylamine. The results obtained allowed us to map the epitopes of both the monoclonal antibodies to within a distance of about Mr 20,000 from the COOH-terminal end of human alpha 2M.

Plasma membranes showing specific binding of alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) complexes were isolated from normal human fibroblasts. The membrane preparation was solubilized with Triton X-100, and specific binding to solubilized receptor was demonstrated by precipitation of the alpha 2M X protease receptor complexes with polyethylene glycol. The solubilized receptor could be quantitatively adsorbed on immobilized alpha 2M complexes. Adsorbed receptor was then dissociated from the alpha 2M complexes with either EDTA, bacitracin, the monoclonal anti-receptor-recognition site antibody F2B2 , or low pH. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the affinity-purified receptor preparation revealed polypeptides of 360, 130, and 83 kDa.

Using a highly discriminatory DNA typing technique, based on the polymerase chain reaction and reverse dot blot hybridization, more refined results were obtained on the association of particular HLA class II alleles, haplotypes and genotypes with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in the Belgian population. The previously reported predisposing effect for the DRB1*0301 encoded DR3 serologic specificity was confirmed and could be assigned to the DRB3*0200 encoded DR52b serologic specificity. A second high risk haplotype, DRB1*0401-DQB1*0302 encoding the DR4-DQ8 serologic specificity, accounted for increased susceptibility both in the total insulin-dependent diabetic population and among DR4-positive patients. Moreover, we found that these DR4 associated DRB1 and DQB1 alleles act as independent risk factors. A possible role for the DPB1 locus can be rejected since the observed predisposing effect for DPB1*0202 probably occurred due to linkage disequilibrium of this allele with DRB1*0301. Particular extended haplotypes accounted for the decreased relative risk observed for the DR2, DR11 and DR13 serologic specificities. The highest relative risk was observed for those DQA1/DQB1 genotypes, allowing for the formation of 4SS (DQαArg52+/DQΒAsp57−) heterodimers.

We present a high-resolution radiation hybrid map of the short arm of human chromosome 12 containing 60 loci, including 44 STSs within or closely associated with expressed sequences, 11 highly polymorphic markers, 2 anonymous sequences, 2 subtelomeric sequences, and 1 centromeric sequence. The 60 loci fell into 48 unique retention patterns, providing a comprehensive map covering the entire short arm of chromosome 12 with an average resolution of approximately 800 kb. Twenty-two unique positions were ordered in a 1000:1 framework map with an average resolution of 1.8 Mb. The proposed order is in good agreement with recently published genetic maps, high-resolution FISH maps, and YAC contigs. The noted inconsistencies involved neighboring loci permutations. Our observations further suggest the existence of chromosomal "hot spots" for breakage during irradiation. In three regions an usually high number of breaks was noted between neighboring loci compared to the physical distance derived from existing YAC contigs. Some of these hot spots seem to coincide with known chromosomal aberrations, of which at least two have been involved in the etiology of cancer. Copyright 1995, 1999 Academic Press

The presence of an α2-macroglobulin (α2M) receptor, the receptor-mediated endocytosis of α2M-protease complexes, and the secretion of α2M by cultured endothelial cells derived from human umbilical vein and from bovine aorta were assessed with 125I-α2M trypsin. Only very low levels of endocytosis of 125I-α2M trypsin were measured, compared to the levels observed in normal human fibroblast cell layers. The absence of α2M receptors on endothelial cells, as measured in binding experiments at 4 °C, points to the nonconcentrative character of this process. The expression of an α2M receptor could not be induced by plating the cells at low densities or by growing them on collagen gels. The secretion of α2M by endothelial cells could not be detected. The production of α2M by human endothelial cells must, therefore, be lower than 3 ng/l06 cells/48 h, the lower limit of the assay.

Proteolysis of human alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) in the bait region is the prerequisite and necessary trigger for the trapping of the proteinase by a massive conformational change of alpha 2M. This labilization of the native conformation of alpha 2M is mediated by activation of the internal thiolesters, but the underlying mechanism is unknown. We now describe observations on proteolysis of human alpha 2M without concomitant hydrolysis of the internal thiolesters or conformational change. This proteolysis was obtained with a novel bacterial proteinase we recently used to isolate the receptor-binding domain from alpha 2M (Van Leuven, F., Marynen, P., Sottrup-Jensen, L., Cassiman, J.-J., and Van Den Berghe, H. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 11369-11373). This proteinase is not inhibited by alpha 2M, and therefore it was possible to study its effect on native alpha 2M at pH 4.5, conditions used previously to produce the receptor-binding domain (Van Leuven, F., Marynen, P., Sottrup-Jensen, L., Cassiman, J.-J., and Van Den Berghe, H. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 11369-11373). The major observations are that despite extensive proteolysis, alpha 2M largely retained its native conformation as shown by rate electrophoresis, the absence of binding of monoclonal antibody F2B2, and the incorporation of [14C]methylamine into a 145-kDa fragment of alpha 2M. Moreover, the derivative still bound trypsin to 88% of control values. Treatment of the derivative with trypsin or methylamine produced the conformational change as with intact alpha 2M, and concomitantly released the receptor-binding domain. This indicated that proteolysis at Lys1313-Glu also proceeded in native alpha 2M. At least one more major proteolysis site was deduced from the observation of a 27-kDa heat-induced fragment, the 145-kDa [14C]methylamine-labeled fragment, and from the presence of the 20-kDa receptor-binding domain. These results demonstrate indirectly the particular relation of the bait region to the internal thiolesters and illustrate further the domain-structure of alpha 2M and the expression of the receptor-recognition site by activation of the internal thiolesters.

To study the three-dimensional organization of alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) from human plasma, immunoelectron microscopy of negatively stained specimens was used. A panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) with specificities typical for the two major conformers of alpha 2M (native and protease-transformed) was explored. The mAb have been selected and were classified biochemically as specific for either native or transformed alpha 2M or as reactive with both conformers. Furthermore, among the mAb that were specific for the proteinase-transformed form of alpha 2M, those reacting with the 20-kDa receptor-binding domain were considered a fourth category. Immunoelectron microscopy with these 20-kDa receptor-binding domain-specific mAb yielded the most typical result: predominantly, individual H-like alpha 2M-chymotrypsin molecules were complexed with two IgG molecules, each one bound to the extremities of two arms of the H-like figure. The resulting planar complex has the appearance of a dumbbell. Since this was observed with eight different mAb of this specificity, the result is interpreted to mean that the 20-kDa receptor-binding domain is compact and constitutes the outermost domain at the extremes of the arms of the H-like transformed alpha 2M. The mAb which are specific for the transformed state of alpha 2M but which do not react with the 20-kDa receptor-binding domain, also bound at the arms of the H-like figure, but at nonterminal positions. Moreover, these mAb produced mostly linear, chain-like immune complexes of numerous H-like alpha 2M molecules cross-linked by the IgG. The large category of mAb that reacted with both conformers of alpha 2M (native and proteinase complex) were observed to make various types of immune complexes with intra- and intermolecular cross-linking by the IgG. The observations of reaction of these mAb with Cd2+-induced dimers (half-molecules of alpha 2M), either native or transformed, proved helpful and, for certain mAb, essential to understand the organization of the alpha 2M-IgG complexes. Combined, the observations allow us to propose new models for the three-dimensional organization of native and chymotrypsin-transformed dimeric and tetrameric human alpha 2M.

The receptor-mediated endocytosis of gold-labelled α2macroglobulin complexes with trypsin or methylamine (α2M-T-Au or α.2M-MA-Au) was studied by electron microscopy in human skin fibroblasts. The gold label was found in coated structures and very small tubules as well as in tubulovesicular structures and in multivesicular bodies/lysosomes. Thick sections (200nm), but especially serial thin sections, clearly showed the polymorphic character of the cellular structures involved in endocytosis. Numerous intercommunications were particularly obvious between the tubulovesicular structures, the larger vesicles and the multivesicular bodies (MVB). Continuities between MVBs and endoplasmic reticulum and interconnections between MVBs were also observed. The specificity of the staining reaction was confirmed by indirect labelling of intracellular α2M by polyclonal and by monoclonal antibodies on ultracryosections. These findings are discussed in relation to observations made on epithelial cells with other ligands.

The ETV6 (also known as TEL) gene on chromosome 12p13 is the target of a number of translocations associated with various hematologic malignancies. The contribution of ETV6 to leukemogenesis occurs through different mechanisms that involve either its helix-loop-helix dimerization domain or its E26 transformation-specific (ETS) DNA-binding domain. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization we characterized seven newETV6 rearrangements in chronic myeloid leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. These aberrations, not always discernible at the cytogenetic level, include a t(5;12)(q31;p13), t(6;12;17)(p21;p13;q25), t(7;12)(p15;p13), t(7;12)(p12;p13), t(7;12)(q36;p13), t(12;13)(p13;q12), and a not completely defined t(12;?)(p13;?). Loss or disruption of the secondETV6 allele by a del(12)(p12p13) or by an intragenicETV6 deletion was detected in two cases. In six cases the 12p13 breakpoint occurred in the 5′ end of ETV6, upstream to exons encoding the HLH domain, whereas the remaining case had a breakpoint between the exons coding for the HLH domain and the exons coding for the ETS domain of ETV6. These observations provide further evidence for the multiple contributions of ETV6 in the pathogenesis of a wide range of hematologic malignancies.

The bait region of the general protease inhibitor α2-macroglobulin (α2M) was mutated by introducing a recognition sequence of furin. This did not interfere with folding, S-ester formation or tetramerization of the mutant recombinant α2M (rα2M). Mutant rα2M inhibited furin in vitro, by a similar mechanism to that used by plasma α2M to inhibit high-molecular-mass proteases. The mutant α2M was intracellularly active in COS-1 cells in inhibiting the endogenous processing of the soluble substrates for furin (von Willebrand factor, transforming growth factor β1 and a soluble form of the envelope glycoprotein gp160 from HIV-1) but not the membrane-bound form of gp160. The intracellular activity of mutant α2M strongly indicated that α2M attains its native conformation, and thus that the unusual internal S-ester is formed, before α2M passes through the cleavage compartment(s). Our results show for the first time that modulation of the bait region of α2M allows the creation of an inhibitor against membrane-bound proteases. It can be expected that the use of α2M-bait mutants will become important as a technique for the study of various proteolytic processes and for the identification of the proteases involved.

In the rat, 2-methyl branched fatty acids and the bile acid intermediates di- and tri-hydroxycoprostanic acids are desaturated by pristanoyl-CoA oxidase and trihydroxycoprostanoyl-CoA oxidase respectively. In the human, these compounds are oxidized by a single enzyme, branched-chain acyl-CoA oxidase, which according to its amino acid sequence is the human homologue of rat trihydroxycoprostanoyl-CoA oxidase. Pristanoyl-CoA oxidase is apparently absent from human tissues as indicated by immunoblot analysis [Van Veldhoven, Van Rompuy, Fransen, de Béthune and Mannaerts (1994) Eur. J. Biochem. 222, 795–801] and Northern-blot analysis [Vanhooren, Fransen, de Béthune, Baumgart, Baes, Torrekens, Van Leuven, Mannaerts and Van Veldhoven (1996) Eur. J. Biochem. 239, 302–309] of human tissues. In this paper we present evidence, however, that at least the gene for pristanoyl-CoA oxidase is present in the human. A human liver cDNA encoding a protein of 700 amino acids, showing 75% amino acid identity with rat pristanoyl-CoA oxidase and harbouring a peroxisomal C-terminal-targeting signal (SKL), was isolated. Bacterial expression of the cDNA resulted in a fusion protein that was cross-reactive with antibodies directed against rat pristanoyl-CoA oxidase and the C-terminal SKL sequence. Screening of a genomic library with the isolated cDNA as a probe resulted in a genomic clone in which four introns were localized. By means of fluorescence in situhybridization the gene for human pristanoyl-CoA oxidase was mapped at chromosome position 4p15.3. We conclude that a gene for pristanoyl-CoA oxidase is present in the human genome. The gene appears to be expressed to such a low extent in liver that its mRNA cannot be detected by routine Northern-blot analysis and that its product remains undetected by standard immunoblotting or by enzyme activity measurements. We speculate that the gene may be expressed under special (e.g. certain developmental stages) conditions or in certain specialized tissues not examined thus far.

An iso 12p chromosome from a patient with Pallister-Killian syndrome was successfully transferred into a mouse background by microcell-mediated chromosome transfer. The presence of the i(12p) chromosome was confirmed by karyotyping and by Southern blotting using five 12p and seven 12q probes. The isochromosome nature of the marker chromosome was confirmed by co-hybridization of a 12p probe with a 12q and an 8q probe. This cell line should be a valuable tool for physical mapping of 12p-derived DNA fragments; at the same time, it confirms the identity of the extra chromosome in the Pallister-Killian syndrome as i(12p).

Chromosomal abnormalities involving the short arm of chromosome 12 have been frequently observed in a broad spectrum of hematological malignancies. Recently, a gene located in this chromosomal region and implicated in leukemogenesis was identified. The gene, called ETV6 (previously known as TEL) is a new member of the ETS family, a group of genes thought to act as transcriptional activators. The gene spans 240 kb and consists of eight exons coding for a helix-loop-helix (HLH) and a DNA-binding domain. ETV6 was originally identified in a t(5;12)(q33;p13) occurring in a chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). Recent reports, however, show its involvement in a growing number of translocations associated with myeloid as well as lymphoid leukemias. At the molecular level fusions of ETV6 with PDGFRB (5q33), ABL (9q34), MN1 (22q11) and AML1(21q22) have already been identified. Analysis of these chimeric proteins indicates that distinct domains of ETV6 can be involved in different fusion products; thus ETV6 can provide transcriptional and dimerization properties for partner genes, or the gene itself can act as an altered transcriptional factor. At least two clinico-pathological entities associated with ETV6 rearrangements have emerged as distinct disorders. The first one is a chronic myeloid malignancy characterized by t(5; 12)(q33;p 13), monocytosis and/or eosinophilia. The second entity is a type of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) hallmarked by t(12;21)(p13;q22), and is shown to be the most frequent but cytogenetically largely undetectable chromosomal anomaly in childhood ALL.SUMMARYETV6, a leukemia associated gene located on 12p 13, is involved in different chromosomal translocations found in myeloid and lymphoid malignancies, resulting in the formation of fusion proteins with oncogenic potential. Contribution of distinct domains of this gene, namely HLH and DNA-binding motif, in chimeric products suggests different mechanisms of ETV6 involvement in leukemogenesis. Type of ETV6 rearrangement does not correlate with the lineage of neoplastic cells. Although the mechanisms of transformation by ETV6-related aberrant proteins are not known, the possibility exists that at least some of them, like ETV6-PDGFRB, ETV6-ABL and MN1-ETV6 are components of the RAS signal transduction pathway. Functional analysis of these fusion proteins will therefore be important in elucidating the role of ETV6 in the oncogenic process. Among hematopoietic disorders with ETV6 rearrangements at least two clinico-pathological entities are distinguished. The first is a group of chronic myeloid disorders characterized by t(5;12). The second represents childhood B-cell ALL with a t(12;21), and constitutes the most frequent abnormality in this subtype of leukemia. The clinical significance of other more sporadic ETV6 rearrangement observed in acute lymphoid or myeloid leukemias thus far could not be established.

We have characterized 117 cDNAs isolated by direct cDNA selection using pools of human chromosome 12p cosmids. Sequencing revealed that 41 clones did overlap with other cDNAs. Of the remaining 76 cDNA sequences 11 matched previously identified human chromosome 12p genes and 3 matched previously determined cDNA sequences, including the retinoblastoma binding protein 2 (RBBP2), the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor KIP1, and an expressed sequence tag. For each of the 76 cDNAs specific selections by a genomic cosmid clone was confirmed. STSs were developed for all cosmids, among them 3 polymorphic simple sequence repeats associated with, respectively, the TNFR related protein, CD27 and SCNN1. Regional assignment of the STSs by PCR analysis with somatic cell hybrids and fluorescence in situ hybridization showed that the majority of the loci map to chromosome 12p13, similar to the distribution of the known 12p genes. Evidence was found for the duplication on 12p of a region containing a polymorphic simple sequence repeat and sequence of two different cDNAs. Copyright 1995, 1999 Academic Press

Cosmids containing the human IL-9 receptor (R) gene (IL9R) have been isolated from a genomic library using the IL9R cDNA as a probe. We have shown that the human IL9R gene is composed of 11 exons and 10 introns, stretching over ∼17 kb, and is located within the pseudoautosomal region of the Xq and Yq chromosome, in the vicinity of the telomere. Analysis of the 5′ flanking region revealed multiple transcription initiation sites as well as potential binding motifs for AP1, AP2, AP3, Sp1, and NF-kB, although this region lacks a TATA box. Using the human IL9R cosmid as a probe to perform fluorescencein situhybridization, additional signals were identified in the subtelomeric regions of chromosomes 9q, 10p, 16p, and 18p. IL9R homologs located on chromosomes 9 and 18 were partially characterized, while those located on chromosomes 16 and 10 were completely sequenced. Although they are similar to the IL9R gene (∼90% identity), none of these copies encodes a functional receptor: none of them contains sequences homologous to the 5′ flanking region or exon 1 of the IL9R gene, and the remaining ORFs have been inactivated by various point mutations and deletions. Taken together, our results indicate that the IL9R gene is located at Xq28 and Yq12, in the long arm pseudoautosomal region, and that four IL9R pseudogenes are located on 9q34, 10p15, 16p13.3, and 18p11.3, probably dispersed as the result of translocations during evolution.

Limited proteolysis of human alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) by a novel bacterial proteinase resulted in the isolation of a soluble 20-kDa domain. The isolated fragment contained the receptor recognition site, expressed on alpha 2M complexes, as it competed effectively with alpha 2M-trypsin for binding to the receptor on skin fibroblasts. The fragment also reacted with two monoclonal antibodies which define epitopes that are part of the receptor recognition site. Characterization of the 20-kDa domain showed it to contain an intact disulfide bridge, while its susceptibility to N-glycanase and reaction with concanavalin A indicated the presence of N-linked carbohydrate. The NH2-terminal sequence (Glu-Glu-Phe-Pro-Phe-Ala-Leu-Gly-Val-Glu-Thr-Leu-Pro-Glu-Thr-Cys-Asp-Glu -Pro) proved this fragment to constitute the COOH terminus of human alpha 2M. Proteolysis occurred at Lys1313-Glu which together with the observation that tosyllysine chloromethyl ketone was an effective inhibitor of the bacterial proteinase, would indicate the latter to hydrolyze preferentially peptide bonds carboxyl-terminal to lysine residues.

We have previously shown that about 85% of the mutationsin 194 Belgian cystic fibrosis alleles could be detected by a reverse dot-blot assay (7). In the present study, 50 Belgian chromosomes were analyzed for mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene by means of direct solid phase automatic sequencing of PCR products of individual exons. Twenty-six disease mutations and 14 polymorphisms were found. Twelve of these mutations and 3 polymorphisms were not described before. With the exception of one mutant allele carrying two mutations, these mutations were the only mutations found in the complete coding region and their exon/intron boundaries. The total sensitivity of mutant CF alleles that could be identified was 98.5%. Given the heterogeneity of these mutations, most of them very rare, CFTR mutation screening still remains rather complex in our population, and population screening, whether desirable or not, does not appear to be technically feasible with the methods currently available.

The FIP1L1-PDGFRA oncogene is a common cause of chronic eosinophilic leukemia (CEL), and encodes an activated tyrosine kinase that is inhibited by imatinib. FIP1L1-PDGFRA–positive patients with CEL respond to low-dose imatinib therapy, but resistance due to acquired T674I mutation has been observed. We report here the identification of sorafenib as a potent inhibitor of the FIP1 like 1–platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (FIP1L1-PDGFRα) (T674I) mutant. Sorafenib inhibited the proliferation of FIP1L1-PDGFRα and FIP1L1-PDGFRα(T674I)–transformed Ba/F3 cells and induced apoptosis of the EOL-1 cell line at a low nanomolar concentration. Western blot analysis confirmed that these effects were due to a direct effect on FIP1L1-PDGFRα and FIP1L1-PDGFRα(T674I). Sorafenib was recently approved for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma. Our data suggest that low doses of sorafenib could be efficient for the treatment of FIP1L1-PDGFRA–positive CEL and could be used to overcome resistance to imatinib associated with the T674I mutation.