Toggle Main Menu Toggle Search

Open Access padlockePrints

The oncogenic fusion protein RUNX1-CBFA2T1 supports proliferation and inhibits senescence in t(8;21)-positive leukaemic cells

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Olaf Heidenreich

Downloads


Abstract

BACKGROUND: The fusion protein RUNX1-CBFA2T1 associated with t(8;21)-positive acute myeloid leukaemia is a potent inhibitor of haematopoetic differentiation. The role of RUNX1-CBFA2T1 in leukaemic cell proliferation is less clear. We examined the consequences of siRNA-mediated RUNX1-CBFA2T1 depletion regarding proliferation and clonogenicity of t(8;21)-positive cell lines. METHODS: The t(8;21)-positive cell line Kasumi-1 was electroporated with RUNX1-CBFA2T1 or control siRNAs followed by analysis of proliferation, colony formation, cell cycle distribution, apoptosis and senescence. RESULTS: Electroporation of Kasumi-1 cells with RUNX1-CBFA2T1 siRNAs, but not with control siRNAs, resulted in RUNX1-CBFA2T1 suppression which lasted for at least 5 days. A single electroporation with RUNX1-CBFA2T1 siRNA severely diminished the clonogenicity of Kasumi-1 cells. Prolonged RUNX1-CBFA2T1 depletion inhibited proliferation in suspension culture and G1-S transition during the cell cycle, diminished the number of apoptotic cells, but induced cellular senescence. The addition of haematopoetic growth factors could not rescue RUNX1-CBFA2T1-depleted cells from senescence, and could only partially restore their clonogenicity. CONCLUSIONS: RUNX1-CBFA2T1 supports the proliferation and expansion of t(8;21)-positive leukaemic cells by preventing cellular senescence. These findings suggest a central role of RUNX1-CBFA2T1 in the maintenance of the leukaemia. Therefore, RUNX1-CBFA2T1 is a promising and leukaemia-specific target for molecularly defined therapeutic approaches.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Martinez N, Drescher B, Riehle H, Cullmann C, Vornlocher HP, Ganser A, Heil G, Nordheim A, Krauter J, Heidenreich O

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: BMC Cancer

Year: 2004

Volume: 4

Issue: 1

Pages: 44

Date deposited: 22/02/2010

ISSN (print): 1471-2407

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2407-4-44

DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-4-44


Altmetrics

Altmetrics provided by Altmetric


Share