Project description:AML1-ETO (Acute Myeloid Leukemia 1-Eight Twenty One) caused by the translocation t(8;21)(q22;q22) is a mutated transcription factor contributing to AML development. Although associated with a favorable prognosis, half of the patients fail to achieve long-term survival. We examined the role of the transcription factor Growth factor independence 1 (GFI1) in the initiation and progression of leukemia and exploited the use of a drug targeting GFI1 expression in the context of AML1-ETO associated AML. We could show that GFI1 is required for maintenance of AML1-ETO associated leukemia and that loss of GFI1 or targeting GFI1 expression impedes leukemia initiation and progression and could be a potential new therapeutic strategy for patients failing to respond to chemotherapy.
Project description:In an effort to identify novel drugs targeting fusion-oncogene induced acute myeloid leukemia (AML), we performed high-resolution proteomic analysis. In AML1-ETO (AE) driven AML we uncovered a deregulation of phospholipase C (PLC) signaling. We identified PLCgamma 1 (PLCG1) as a specific target of the AE fusion protein which is induced after AE binding to intergenic regulatory DNA elements. Genetic inactivation of PLCG1 in murine and human AML inhibited AML1-ETO dependent self-renewal programs, leukemic proliferation, and leukemia maintenance in vivo. In contrast, PLCG1 was dispensable for normal hematopoietic stem- and progenitor cell function. These findings are extended to and confirmed by pharmacologic perturbation of Ca++-signaling in AML1-ETO AML cells, indicating that the PLCG1 pathway poses an important therapeutic target for AML1-ETO positive leukemic stem cells.
Project description:MEIS2 collaborates with AML1-ETO in inducing acute myeloid leukemia in a murine bone marrow transplantation model We compared Gene expression profile (GEP) of murine bone marrow cells transduced with GFP, AML1-ETO, MEIS2, and AML1-ETO/MEIS2. Data from MEIS1 and AML1-ETO/MEIS1 is also included. Mouse bone marrow cells were kept in culture for 48hrs after retroviral transduction. GFP positive cells were then sorted and cells were kept for further 24 hours in culture before microarray analysis.
Project description:Aberrant gene expression patterns in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with balanced chromosomal translocations are often associated with direct or indirect dysregulation of epigenetic modifiers. Previously, we have shown that the AML1/ETO (RUNX1/MTG8) fusion protein, encoded by the translocation (8;21)(q22;q22), leads to the epigenetic repression of its target genes. We aimed in this work to identify critical epigenetic modifiers, on which AML1/ETO-positive AML cells depend on for proliferation and survival using shRNA library screens and global transcriptomics approaches. Using shRNA library screens, we identified 41 commonly depleted genes in two AML1/ETO-positive cell lines Kasumi-1 and SKNO-1. Among them, several epigenetic regulators as DMAP1, SMYD1, SMYD2, BRD4, SETD8, SETD1A and HDAC8 were depleted. We validated genetically and pharmacologically DNMT1 and ATR using several AML1/ETO-positive and negative cell lines. We also showed in vivo differentiation of myeloblasts after treatment with the DNMT1-inhibitor decitabine in a patient with an AML1/ETO-positive AML. Bioinformatic analysis of global transcriptomics after AML1/ETO induction in 9/14/18-U937 cells identified 973 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (648 up- and 325 downregulated). Pathway analysis revealed several interferon response pathways and metabolic pathways such as oxidative phosphorylation and hypoxia enriched after AML1/ETO induction. Three genes (PARP2, PRKCD and SMARCA4) were both downregulated after AML1/ETO induction, and also detected in the survival shRNA screens of both cell lines, decreasing survival and proliferation. In conclusion, using unbiased shRNA library screens and global transcriptomics, we have identified several driver epigenetic regulators for proliferation in AML1/ETO-positive AML. Some of these epigenetic regulators, such as DNMT1 and ATR, are susceptible to pharmacological inhibition by small molecules showing promising preclinical and clinical efficacy
Project description:U937 AML cells that express an inducible AML1-ETO construct under the control of the tetracycline promoter. Microarrays used to discover an AML1-ETO signature for a GE-HTS screen to identify AML1-ETO modulators.
Project description:Somatic rearrangements of transcription factors are common abnormalities in the acute leukemias. With rare exception, however, the resultant protein products have remained largely intractable as pharmacologic targets. One example is AML1-ETO, the most common translocation reported in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). To identify AML1-ETO modulators, we screened a small molecule library using a chemical genomic approach. Gene expression signatures were used as surrogates for the expression versus loss of the translocation in AML1-ETO-expressing cells. The top classes of compounds that scored in this screen were corticosteroids and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) inhibitors. In addition to modulating the AML1-ETO signature, both classes induced evidence of differentiation, dramatically inhibited cell viability, and ultimately induced apoptosis via on-target activity. Furthermore, AML1-ETO-expressing cell lines were exquisitely sensitive to the effects of corticosteroids on cellular viability compared with nonexpressers. The corticosteroids diminished AML1-ETO protein in AML cells in a proteasome- and glucocorticoid receptor-dependent manner. Moreover, these molecule classes demonstrated synergy in combination with standard AML chemotherapy agents and activity in an orthotopic model of AML1-ETO-positive AML. This work suggests a role for DHFR inhibitors and corticosteroids in treating patients with AML1-ETO-positive disease.
Project description:Kasumi-1 AML cells that were transfected in triplicate with AML1-ETO or luciferase siRNA constructs by either Amaxa nucleofection or Biorad siLentFect and incubated for 96 hours. Microarrays used to discover an AML1-ETO signature for a GE-HTS screen to identify AML1-ETO modulators.
Project description:Compare the gene expression profile among human CD34+ cord blood cells infected with MIGR1, MIGR1-AML1-ETO or MIGR1-AML1-ETO∆NHR1 AML1-ETO promotes the self-renewal of human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs). We found deletion of NHR1 domain abrogates AML1-ETO induced expasion of HSPCs.
Project description:Approximately 20% of Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) cases carry the t(8;21) translocation, which involves the AML1 and ETO genes, and express the resulting AML1/ETO fusion protein that functions as a transcriptional repressor by recruiting NCoR/SMRT/HDAC complexes to DNA. We used ChIP-chip to identify the determinants of AML1/ETO binding on a contiguous DNA region (chromosome 19). AML1/ETO binding regions are characterized by a specific sequence signature that includes the presence of the consensus binding sites for the AML1 and HEB transcription factors. We therefore assessed the binding patterns of AML1 and HEB on chromosome 19. A specific chromatin modification (tri-methylation of lysine 4 on histone 3 = 3MetK4) was also studied in U937 cells expressing AML1/ETO in order to correlate the identified binding profiles with active transcription sites. Keywords: ChIP-chip