Publications (2)12.75 Total impact
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Article: Loss of Ubr1 promotes aneuploidy and accelerates B-cell lymphomagenesis in TLX1/HOX11-transgenic mice.
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ABSTRACT: The TLX1/HOX11 homeobox gene was originally identified at the recurrent t(10;14)(q24;q11) translocation breakpoint, a chromosomal abnormality observed in 5-7% of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias (T-ALLs). Proviral insertional mutagenesis studies performed on transgenic mice ectopically expressing TLX1/HOX11 in B lymphocytes (IgHmu-HOX11(Tg) mice) revealed the Ubr1 gene locus as a frequent site of proviral insertion, concomitant with accelerated development of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Insertion into this genomic region was confirmed by Southern blotting and by the ability to generate a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplicon across the viral-genome junction. Western immunoblot and semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR analysis revealed downregulated expression of the Ubr1 gene product subsequent to viral integration. Loss or reduced levels of Ubr1 expression was associated with 5/14 spontaneous B-cell lymphomas in IgHmu-HOX11(Tg) mice and one of nine primary human T-ALLs. To gain mechanistic insight into the cooperativity between TLX1/HOX11 and Ubr1, IgHmu-HOX11(Tg)/Ubr1(-/-) mice were generated. IgHmu-HOX11(Tg)/Ubr1(-/-) mice exhibited a modest but statistically significant acceleration of disease onset relative to IgHmu-HOX11(Tg)/Ubr1(+/-) mice. Moreover, micronucleus assays to detect for chromosome missegregation were conducted and revealed increased presence of micronuclei in IgHmu-HOX11(Tg)/Ubr1(-/-) primary B lymphocyte cultures, and in both TLX1/HOX11-overexpressing T cell lines and fibroblast cultures following transfection with short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting Ubr1. Karyotyping of primary B lymphocyte cultures revealed increased incidences of hypodiploid karyotypes. Finally, mitotic figures analysed from Ubr1 siRNA-transfected fibroblast cultures revealed no defects in chromosome congression to the metaphase plate, but increased incidences of atypical anaphase figures, including the development of anaphase bridges and lagging chromosomes. Based on these findings, we identify a synergistic role between TLX1/HOX11 overexpression and Ubr1 inactivation in promoting chromosome missegregation, permitting the accrual of additional chromosome losses and cytogenic abnormalities en route to malignancy.Oncogene 10/2006; 25(42):5752-63. · 6.37 Impact Factor -
Article: Dysregulated expression of mitotic regulators is associated with B-cell lymphomagenesis in HOX11-transgenic mice.
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ABSTRACT: Dysregulated expression of the homeobox gene, HOX11 is a frequent etiologic event in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias. HOX11-transgenic mice (IgHmu-HOX11Tg)-expressing HOX11 in the B-cell compartment develop B-cell lymphomas with extended latency. The latency suggests that additional genetic events are required prior to the onset of malignant lymphoma. We report the identification of 17 HOX11 collaborating genes, revealed through their propensity to be targeted in a proviral insertional mutagenesis screen. Seven integrations disrupted genes in mitotic spindle checkpoint control, suggesting that cells with elevated HOX11 expression are especially sensitive to dysregulation of chromosome segregation during mitosis. IgHmu-HOX11Tg primary B-lymphocyte cultures exposed to the aneugenic agents, colchicine and colcemid, exhibited increased incidences of chromosome missegregation as assessed by cytokinesis-block micronucleus assays. Additionally, IgHmu-HOX11Tg cultures were shown to exhibit aberrant bypass of spindle checkpoint arrest, as assessed by the increased presence of cycling cells determined by assessment of DNA content and by BrdU immunolabelling. Western immunoblotting revealed elevated expression of the mitotic effector molecules, cyclin A, cyclin B1 and cdc20 in IgHmu-HOX11Tg cultures. Moreover, spontaneously arising lymphoid neoplasms in IgHmu-HOX11Tg mice frequently exhibit aberrant expression of mitotic regulators, concomitant with increased development of micronuclei, abnormal mitotic checkpoint control and increased incidences of abnormal karyotypes when expanded in culture. Collectively, these findings indicate that abnormal regulation of spindle checkpoint control as a result of HOX11 overexpression leads to a heightened predisposition for development of aneuploidy, contributing to oncogenesis.Oncogene 05/2006; 25(18):2575-87. · 6.37 Impact Factor