Abstract
The Philadelphia chromosome generates a chimeric oncogene in which the BCR and c-ABL genes are fused. The product of this oncogene, BCR/ABL, has elevated ABL tyrosine kinase activity, relocates to the cytoskeleton, and phosphorylates multiple cellular substrates. BCR/ABL transforms hematopoietic cells and exerts a wide variety of biological effects, including reduction in growth factor dependence, enhanced viability, and altered adhesion of chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML) cells. Elevated tyrosine kinase activity of BCR/ABL is critical for activating downstream signal transduction and for all aspects of transformation. This review will describe mechanisms of transformation by the BCR/ABL oncogene and opportunities for clinical intervention with specific signal transduction inhibitors such as STI-571 in CML.
MeSH terms
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Benzamides
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Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics*
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Cytoskeleton / metabolism
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Enzyme Activation
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Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
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Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use
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Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl / antagonists & inhibitors
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Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl / chemistry
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Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl / genetics
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Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl / physiology*
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Humans
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Imatinib Mesylate
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Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / drug therapy
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Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / enzymology*
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Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / genetics
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Models, Biological
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Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / genetics
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Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / physiology
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Philadelphia Chromosome
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Phosphorylation
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Piperazines / pharmacology
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Piperazines / therapeutic use
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Protein Processing, Post-Translational
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Protein Structure, Tertiary
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Protein Transport
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Pyrimidines / pharmacology
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Pyrimidines / therapeutic use
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Reactive Oxygen Species
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Signal Transduction / physiology
Substances
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Benzamides
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Enzyme Inhibitors
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Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
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Piperazines
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Pyrimidines
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Reactive Oxygen Species
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Imatinib Mesylate
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Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl