Abnormal expression of Evi-1 gene in human leukemias

Hum Cell. 1996 Dec;9(4):323-32.

Abstract

The human Evi-1 gene located on chromosome 3q26, encodes a zinc finger protein that functions as a transcription factor. It was frequently overexpressed in leukemias having 3q26 abnormalities such as t(3;3)(q21;q26) and inv(3)(q21 q26), and subjected to structural alteration in t(3;21)(q26;q22). In addition, recent studies indicated that several cases of leukemias without 3q26 abnormalities also expressed Evi-1 gene. In this study we present another case of structural alteration of Evi-1 gene in a case of inv(3)(q21 q26), in which Evi-1 was truncated and a shorter form of Evi-1 protein was expressed upon rearrangement of the gene. We also studied expression of the Evi-1 gene in a variety of leukemias by northern blot analysis. Evi-1 was overexpressed not only in leukemias with 3q26 abnormalities, but, in those without 3q26 abnormalities, especially in blast crisis of CML. Our result also supports an idea that Evi-1 is a relevant oncogene whose overexpression or structural changes might play a crucial role in development of human leukemias.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Base Sequence
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leukemia / genetics*
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / genetics
  • MDS1 and EVI1 Complex Locus Protein
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Oncogenes*
  • Proto-Oncogenes*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Translocation, Genetic
  • Zinc Fingers / genetics*

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • MDS1 and EVI1 Complex Locus Protein
  • MECOM protein, human
  • Transcription Factors