The biological and clinical significance of MLL abnormalities in haematological malignancies

Eur J Clin Invest. 2004 Aug:34 Suppl 2:12-24. doi: 10.1111/j.0960-135X.2004.01366.x.

Abstract

The MLL (Mixed Lineage Leukaemia or Myeloid/Lymphoid Leukaemia) gene on chromosome 11q23 is frequently involved in chromosomal translocations associated with human acute leukaemias. These translocations lead to fusion genes generally resulting in novel chimeric proteins containing the amino terminus of MLL fused in-frame to one of about 30 distinct partner proteins. Abnormalities involving the MLL gene are observed in leukaemias of either lymphoid or myeloid lineage derivation, as well as in poorly differentiated or biphenotypic leukaemias. They are frequently seen in infant patients, and patients with therapy-related secondary AML following treatment with inhibitors of topoisomerase II (epipodophyllotoxins). In the majority of cases, abnormalities involving the MLL gene are associated with a very poor prognostic outcome. In this review, we will discuss some of the recent advances in MLL research resulting from biological as well as clinical studies.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11 / genetics*
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19 / genetics
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4 / genetics*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Kinesins / genetics
  • Leukemia / genetics*
  • Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein
  • Myosins / genetics
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / genetics
  • Peptide Elongation Factors / genetics
  • Proteins / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogenes / genetics*
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Transcription Factors / chemistry
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcriptional Elongation Factors
  • Translocation, Genetic / genetics*

Substances

  • AFDN protein, human
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • ELL protein, human
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • KMT2A protein, human
  • MLL-ENL oncoprotein, human
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
  • Peptide Elongation Factors
  • Proteins
  • SH3GL1 protein, human
  • Transcription Factors
  • Transcriptional Elongation Factors
  • Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein
  • Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase
  • Myosins
  • Kinesins