PML-RARA fusion transcripts in irradiated and normal hematopoietic cells

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2000

Authors

Quina, AS (Author) Other; Gameiro, P (Author) Other; da Costa, MS (Author) Other; Telhada, M (Author) Other; Parreira, L (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Genes Chromosomes and Cancer

Vol. 29

Pages: 266-275

ISSN: 1045-2257

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 13 Citations

Scopus - 19 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Clinical medicine

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-000-YJW

DOI: 10.1002/1098-2264(2000)9999:9999<::aid-gcc1030>3.0.co;2-#

Abstract (EN): It is believed that two important factors in the genesis of reciprocal chromosomal translocations in malignant cells are the physical proximity of the involved regions and local structural features of the chromatin fiber that make them more susceptible to breakage and rearrangement. In this work we sought to investigate whether PML-RARA fusion transcripts, characteristic of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), could be induced by a clastogenic agent in cells known to have, a priori, a favorable spatial distribution of these genes. A lymphoid-cell line, lacking the t(15;17) but having the PML and RARA genes in close proximity in specific phases of the cell cycle, was irradiated with 10 Gy of Co-60 and the incidence of PML-RARA transcripts was analyzed by a highly sensitive PCR assay. Despite gene proximity, typical PML-RARA transcripts were only rarely detected in irradiated cells. The same phenomenon was observed at similar frequency in control non-irradiated cells. These findings made us investigate whether such transcripts could also be detected in peripheral blood cells from normal individuals. PML-RARA transcripts were observed at low frequencies in isolated lymphoid and granulocytic cell populations, with similar incidence in both cell types. The data thus indicate that the PML and RARA genes are nor particularly susceptible to the clastogenic effects of gamma-irradiation, and that, similar to what has been reported for other chromosomal translocations, transcriptionally active PML-RARA rearrangements can be generated in normal hematopoietic cells of different lineages without apparent oncogenic consequences. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10