The TLX1 transcription factor oncogene is frequently activated by chromosomal translocations in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and defines a distinct molecular group of tumors characterized by differentiation arrest at the early cortical stage of thymocyte differentiation and excellent response to therapy. Recent developments from the analysis of genomic data on TLX1-specific transcriptional targets and analysis of the molecular mechanisms of TLX1 transformation in human- and mouse-induced leukemias have shown novel insight into the activity of this transcription factor oncogene. Aberrant expression of TLX1 in T-cell progenitors disrupts normal T-cell development and triggers the development of aneuploidy during T-cell transformation. Importantly, the disruption of the mitotic checkpoint in TLX1-induced tumors may be linked not only to the acquisition of secondary genetic alterations in T-ALL but also to increased sensitivity of these tumors to chemotherapy with drugs targeting the formation of the mitotic spindle.
©2011 AACR.