组蛋白3甲基转移酶MLL4的研究进展

混合连锁白血病因子4 (mixed lineage leukemia 4, MLL4)是组蛋白H3第4位赖氨酸(H3K4)一种特异的甲基化转移酶,也是COMPASS/Set1-like蛋白复合物中重要成员之一。MLL4蛋白本身及其介导的H3K4甲基化修饰,均能引起染色质结构和功能的改变,调控基因转录与表达。随着近年对MLL4蛋白研究的深入,MLL4基因、MLL4蛋白、蛋白复合物在各组织器官的发育、肿瘤疾病等生理与病理生理过程中的作用逐渐被揭示。本文对MLL4基因、MLL4蛋白特征、生物学功能及其对疾病的影响等方面的研究进展进行综述,以期进一步理解组蛋白甲基化转移酶对基因表达调控的影响及其非酶学依赖的功能,为相关疾病预防和诊治提供新的思路。     

含非天然氨基酸定点突变的MLL3SET蛋白表达与纯化

在组蛋白H3K4甲基转移酶MLL3的催化结构域(MLL3SET)中定点引入非天然氨基酸N-炔丙基赖氨酸(N-propargyl-lysine,PrK),表达、纯化该突变蛋白(MLL3SET*),并评估突变蛋白的酶活,为后续进一步利用单分子荧光共振能量转移技术(smFRET)表征MLL3的作用机制奠定基础.将MLL3SE...     

MLL-NRIP3融合基因诱发白血病的生物学特性研究

白血病是起源于造血干祖细胞的恶性增殖性肿瘤,是儿童时期最常见的恶性肿瘤,在成人恶性肿瘤中的发生比例也在逐渐上升,严重危害着人类健康与生存.MLL重排白血病(简称MLL-r)是其中一类具有独特生物学行为的白血病,MLL融合蛋白是影响预后的不良因素之一.MLL融合基因MLL-NRIP3(简称NRIP3)是近年来发现的新型MLL-r.有文献报道运用MLL-NRIP3融合基因可以建立白血病小鼠(Musmusculus)模型,并在白血病小鼠模型上研究其关联基因的敲降或过表达对白血病进程的影响,但未对其本身生物学特性进行单独研究.为了更加充分认识这一新的白血病类型,本研究将检测这类白血病的基本生物学表型,包括移植白血病细胞后受体小鼠生存期;白血病细胞迁移能力和黏附能力;白血病干细胞(LSCs)的比例、数目与功能;细胞周期和细胞凋亡等,并验证白血病复发、难治的关键细胞LSCs的表面标志是否同样适用于MLL-NRIP3白血病细胞.结果显示,与研究较为成熟的MLL-AF9(简称AF9)相比,MLL-NRIP3受体小鼠生存期较MLL-AF9延长,白血病细胞的迁移能力较MLL-AF9弱,黏附能力反较MLL-AF9强,而两者在细胞周期和细胞凋亡方面的生物学特性基本一致.体外克隆形成实验和极限稀释实验提示MLL-NRIP3白血病LSC数目、比例及功能较MLL-AF9白血病LSC降低.由此可得出结论:MLL-NRIP3诱发的白血病小鼠模型是低LSCs富集型MLL-r.     

MLL3基因对宫颈癌细胞放射敏感性和DNA损伤修复能力的影响

摘要 目的：探究髓系/淋巴系或混合谱系白血病3基因（myeloid/lymphoid or mixed-lineage leukemia 3,MLL3）对宫颈癌细胞生长、转移、放射敏感性的影响。方法：选择60例宫颈鳞癌患者的癌组织及配对癌旁组织,采用实时定量聚合酶链式反应（qRT-PCR）检测检测MLL3 mRNA水平。体外培养SiHa细胞,将其分为以下5组：Control组（不转染）、NC-sh组（转染阴性对照shRNA慢病毒）、MLL3-sh组（转染MLL3 shRNA慢病毒）、NC-OE组（转染阴性对照过表达慢病毒）和MLL3-OE组（转染MLL3过表达慢病毒）。进一步采用2300EX直线加速器9 MeV ?茁射线照射细胞建立放射抵抗SiHa细胞（SiHaR）,然后将其分为：NC-sh组、MLL3-sh组、8 Gy+NC-sh组和8 Gy+MLL3-sh组。NC-sh组和MLL3-sh组细胞不照射,8 Gy+NC-sh组和8 Gy+MLL3-sh组细胞用9 MeV β射线照射8 Gy。采用MTT法检测细胞增殖情况;Annexin V-FITC/PI双染色法检测细胞凋亡;Transwell检测细胞侵袭能力;qRT-PCR检测MLL3、共济失调毛细血管扩张征突变基因（ATM）、ATM-Rad3相关基因（ATR）、乳腺癌易感基因（BRCA1）和RAD50双链断裂修复蛋白（RAD50）的mRNA水平;Western blot检测MLL3、Bcl-2相关X蛋白基因（Bax）、B细胞淋巴瘤/白血病-2基因（Bcl-2）、cleaved caspase 3、基质金属蛋白酶（MMP）2、MMP9和γ-H2AX的表达;免疫荧光染色检测γ-H2AX的表达。结果：与癌旁组织相比,宫颈鳞癌组织中的MLL3 mRNA水平显著降低（P<0.001）。与NC-sh组比较,MLL3-sh组SiHa细胞的MLL3 mRNA和蛋白相对表达量降低,细胞活力升高,细胞凋亡率、Bax和cleaved caspase 3蛋白相对表达量降低,Bcl-2蛋白相对表达量升高,侵袭细胞数量、MMP2和MMP9蛋白相对表达量升高（P<0.05）。与NC-OE组比较,MLL3-OE组SiHa细胞的MLL3 mRNA和蛋白相对表达量升高,细胞活力降低,细胞凋亡率、Bax和cleaved caspase 3蛋白相对表达量升高,Bcl-2蛋白相对表达量降低,侵袭细胞数量、MMP2和MMP9蛋白相对表达量降低（P<0.05）。与SiHa细胞相比,SiHaR细胞中的MLL3 mRNA和蛋白相对表达量均升高（P<0.001）。与8 Gy+NC-sh组比较,8 Gy+MLL3-sh组SiHaR细胞的细胞活力降低,γ-H2AX的蛋白相对表达量和γ-H2AX foci数目升高,ATM、ATR、BRCA1和RAD50的mRNA水平降低（P<0.05）。结论：宫颈癌细胞MLL3的表达下调促进了其生长和转移,但降低DNA损伤修复能力,提高宫颈癌细胞的放射敏感性。     

锅柄式PCR及其在混合谱系白血病基因断裂区中的应用

染色体11q23的混合谱系白血病(MLL)基因的断裂点簇集群区(BCR)的转位,可引起婴儿急性白血病及与DNA拓扑异构酶Ⅱ抑制剂的生化治疗法相关的白血病。由于MLL基因包括大约30个不同的转位伴侣基因,几个断裂点所在的伴侣基因的序列还不清楚,因而对MLL基因断裂点的PCR克隆是很困难的。锅柄式PCR,即用已知5'端序列和未知的3'端伴侣基因序列以形似一个锅和一个柄的模板扩增断裂点基因DNA,是一种克隆MLL基因断裂区的新方法,可以扩增未知3'端序列的断裂点簇集群区。     

小鼠急性髓系白血病模型的构建

MLL基因的异常重排会引发急性淋巴系(ALL)和急性髓系白血病(AML)。该文详细阐述了利用逆转录病毒载体MLL-AF9构建小鼠AML模型的方法。该研究比较了免疫磁珠法与5-氟尿嘧啶(5-FU)方法富集骨髓细胞的效率,以及不同时间点收获的病毒对骨髓Lin-细胞感染效率的影响。通过流式检测发现, 5-氟尿嘧啶富集的骨髓Lin–细能够被48 h收获的病毒高效感染。受体鼠在移植了MLL-AF9感染的骨髓Lin–细胞60天后,外周血、骨髓、脾脏组织中均有大量的白血病细胞浸润, RT-qPCR也验证了白血病靶基因的表达上调,表明小鼠AML模型的成功构建。这项研究为从事白血病研究的科研人员提供了一种有效的小鼠急性髓系白血病模型,为研究白血病发病机理与研发白血病治疗药物提供有用的工具。     

儿童急性淋巴细胞白血病特异性标记物的精准检测方法研究

目的：T细胞和免疫球蛋白重链基因重排是微小残留病灶水平的特异性标记物,而微小残留病灶的水平与儿童急性淋巴细胞白血病的复发强烈相关。应用传统的聚合酶链式反应方法来监测IgH／TCR基因重排不仅耗时、耗人力,而且敏感度较低。本研究旨在探索一种更为高效和敏感与实用的监测IgH／TCR基因重排的精准检测方法。方法：应用多重PCR技术检测26个患有急性淋巴细胞白血病的儿童的外周血样品中的标记物,这些儿童是在中国哈尔滨市最近两年内被诊断的患者。分别应用基因扫描和毛细血管电泳方法检测IgH（FRI,FRII,FRⅢ）／TCR（TCRB,TCRγ）基因重排和分析PCR产物的片段。结果：IgH／TCR基因重排和对IgH基因重排的阳性率分别为92．3％和75％,在26个病例中,4个复发病人的IgH的三个片段（FRI,FRII,FRⅢ）基因重排显示阳性。进一步分析显示复发与ign基因重排呈线性相关。结论：实验与临床应用表明,基因扫描这种方法对于IgH／TCR基因重排的检测是可靠的、实用的,因而可用于儿童急性淋巴细胞白血病的诊断和随访。     

急性混合细胞白血病独特临床生物学特征及预后研究

目的:分析急性混合细胞白血病(HAL)独特的临床生物学特征及预后。方法:采用流式细胞术(FCM)分析白血病细胞的免疫表型,最终确诊56例HAL患者,对其骨髓标本进行细胞形态学及相关细胞化学染色分析,以确定其FAB分型,用聚合酶链反应检测骨髓细胞DNA IgH及TCRγ基因重排,采用兼顾急性髓细胞性白血病(AML)和急性淋巴细胞白血病(ALL)的方案治疗,同时结合多项临床生物学指标分析其转归和预后。结果:确诊的HAL其FAB分型以AML-M1/M2、ALL为主;其免疫分型以B系和髓系混合表达多见。CD34在HAL中呈高表达并且是对患者预后具有影响力的因素(P=0.03)。确诊的56例HAL患者中,28例出现IgH基因单克隆重排阳性(50.76%),22例出现TCRγ基因单克隆重排阳性(39.65%),其中2例IgH和TCRγ基因单克隆重排同时出现阳性。此类患者对治疗反应差、缓解率低为36%。结论:HAL属特殊类型白血病,有其独特的临床生物学特征,对化疗方案不敏感,预后较差。     

人巨细胞病毒即刻早期蛋白1对白血病蛋白致癌基因结构域的作用研究进展

白血病蛋白致癌基因结构域是间期细胞核内的亚核结构域,是DNA病毒入侵、转录及复制的关键部位,其完整性对病毒感染至关重要。早幼粒细胞性白血病蛋白是白血病蛋白致癌基因结构域的主要蛋白,负责维持其他白血病蛋白致癌基因结构域蛋白的正确定位。为DNA肿瘤病毒的人巨细胞病毒即刻早期蛋白可靶向定位白血病蛋白致癌基因结构域,并使早幼粒细胞性白血病蛋白从白血病蛋白致癌基因结构域移出,从而破坏其完整性。研究病毒对白血病蛋白致癌基因结枸域的作用有助干阐明该娄病毒与细胞转化和肿瘤发生的联系。     

转录因子,染色体易位和白血病

转录因子、染色体易位和白血病陈竺，朱军，陈赛娟（上海血液学研究所人类基因组研究重点实验室２０００２５）关键词转录因子，染色体易位，白血病，融合基因在细胞和生物体生长、分化、细胞系定向等过程中，基因表达的转录水平调控是非常重要的一个环节。过去十年中，对...     

Targeting protein-protein interaction between MLL1 and reciprocal proteins for leukemia therapy

The mixed lineage leukemia protein-1 (MLL1), as a lysine methyltransferase, predominantly regulates the methylation of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) and functions in hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) self-renewal. MLL1 gene fuses with partner genes that results in the generation of MLL1 fusion proteins (MLL1-FPs), which are frequently detected in acute leukemia. In the progress of leukemogenesis, a great deal of proteins cooperate with MLL1 to form multiprotein complexes serving for the dysregulation of H3K4 methylation, the overexpression of homeobox (HOX) cluster genes, and the consequent generation of leukemia. Hence, disrupting the interactions between MLL1 and the reciprocal proteins has been considered to be a new treatment strategy for leukemia. Here, we reviewed potential protein-protein interactions (PPIs) between MLL1 and its reciprocal proteins, and summarized the inhibitors to target MLL1 PPIs. The druggability of MLL1 PPIs for leukemia were also discussed.     

A Subset of Mixed Lineage Leukemia Proteins Has Plant Homeodomain (PHD)-mediated E3 Ligase Activity

The mixed lineage leukemia protein MLL1 contains four highly conserved plant homeodomain (PHD) fingers, which are invariably deleted in oncogenic MLL1 fusion proteins in human leukemia. Here we show that the second PHD finger (PHD2) of MLL1 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase in the presence of the E2-conjugating enzyme CDC34. This activity is conserved in the second PHD finger of MLL4, the closest homolog to MLL1 but not in MLL2 or MLL3. Mutation of PHD2 leads to MLL1 stabilization, as well as increased transactivation ability and MLL1 recruitment to the target gene loci, suggesting that PHD2 negatively regulates MLL1 activity.     

Molecular basis of the mixed lineage leukemia-menin interaction: implications for targeting mixed lineage leukemias

Chromosomal translocations targeting the mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) gene result in MLL fusion proteins that are found in aggressive human acute leukemias. Disruption of MLL by such translocations leads to overexpression of Hox genes, resulting in a blockage of hematopoietic differentiation that ultimately leads to leukemia. Menin, which directly binds MLL, has been identified as an essential oncogenic co-factor required for the leukemogenic activity of MLL fusion proteins. Here, we characterize the molecular basis of the MLL-menin interaction. Using (13)C-detected NMR experiments, we have mapped the residues within the intrinsically unstructured fragment of MLL that are required for binding to menin. Interestingly, we found that MLL interacts with menin with a nanomolar affinity (K(d) ～ 10 nM) through two motifs, MBM1 and MBM2 (menin binding motifs 1 and 2). These motifs are located within the N-terminal 43-amino acid fragment of MLL, and the MBM1 represents a high affinity binding motif. Using alanine scanning mutagenesis of MBM1, we found that the hydrophobic residues Phe(9), Pro(10), and Pro(13) are most critical for binding. Furthermore, based on exchange-transferred nuclear Overhauser effect measurements, we established that MBM1 binds to menin in an extended conformation. In a series of competition experiments we showed that a peptide corresponding to MBM1 efficiently dissociates the menin-MLL complex. Altogether, our work establishes the molecular basis of the menin interaction with MLL and MLL fusion proteins and provides the necessary foundation for development of small molecule inhibitors targeting this interaction in leukemias with MLL translocations.     

Menin-MLL inhibitors reverse oncogenic activity of MLL fusion proteins in leukemia

Translocations involving the mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) gene result in human acute leukemias with very poor prognosis. The leukemogenic activity of MLL fusion proteins is critically dependent on their direct interaction with menin, a product of the multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN1) gene. Here we present what are to our knowledge the first small-molecule inhibitors of the menin-MLL fusion protein interaction that specifically bind menin with nanomolar affinities. These compounds effectively reverse MLL fusion protein-mediated leukemic transformation by downregulating the expression of target genes required for MLL fusion protein oncogenic activity. They also selectively block proliferation and induce both apoptosis and differentiation of leukemia cells harboring MLL translocations. Identification of these compounds provides a new tool for better understanding MLL-mediated leukemogenesis and represents a new approach for studying the role of menin as an oncogenic cofactor of MLL fusion proteins. Our findings also highlight a new therapeutic strategy for aggressive leukemias with MLL rearrangements.     

The LIM domain protein Lmo2 binds to AF6, a translocation partner of the MLL oncogene

The LIM only protein Lmo2 plays an important role in hematopoiesis and leukemogenesis. Lmo2 acts as a bridging molecule between components of hematopoietic gene regulatory protein complexes. We used the yeast two-hybrid system to identify novel Lmo2 interacting proteins and found that the AF6 protein binds to Lmo2. AF6 is a recurrent fusion partner of MLL, the human homolog of Drosophila trithorax chromatin remodeling protein that is involved in childhood leukemia and mixed lineage leukemia. Our data support the notion that recurrent fusion partners of chimeric MLL proteins recruit hematopoietic gene regulatory complexes.     

Crystal structure of menin reveals binding site for mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) protein

Menin is a tumor suppressor protein that is encoded by the MEN1 (multiple endocrine neoplasia 1) gene and controls cell growth in endocrine tissues. Importantly, menin also serves as a critical oncogenic cofactor of MLL (mixed lineage leukemia) fusion proteins in acute leukemias. Direct association of menin with MLL fusion proteins is required for MLL fusion protein-mediated leukemogenesis in vivo, and this interaction has been validated as a new potential therapeutic target for development of novel anti-leukemia agents. Here, we report the first crystal structure of menin homolog from Nematostella vectensis. Due to a very high sequence similarity, the Nematostella menin is a close homolog of human menin, and these two proteins likely have very similar structures. Menin is predominantly an α-helical protein with the protein core comprising three tetratricopeptide motifs that are flanked by two α-helical bundles and covered by a β-sheet motif. A very interesting feature of menin structure is the presence of a large central cavity that is highly conserved between Nematostella and human menin. By employing site-directed mutagenesis, we have demonstrated that this cavity constitutes the binding site for MLL. Our data provide a structural basis for understanding the role of menin as a tumor suppressor protein and as an oncogenic co-factor of MLL fusion proteins. It also provides essential structural information for development of inhibitors targeting the menin-MLL interaction as a novel therapeutic strategy in MLL-related leukemias.     

The formin-binding protein 17, FBP17, binds via a TNKS binding motif to tankyrase, a protein involved in telomere maintenance

In acute myelogenous and lymphoid leukemias, rearrangements involving the MLL (mixed lineage leukemia) gene at chromosome 11q23 are frequent. The truncated MLL protein is fused in-frame to a series of partner proteins. We previously identified the formin-binding protein 17 (FBP17) as such an MLL fusion partner. In this study, we explored in vivo physiological interaction partners of FBP17 using a two-hybrid assay and found tankyrase (TNKS), an ADP-ribose polymerase protein involved in telomere maintenance and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling. We demonstrate that FBP17 binds via a special TNKS-binding motif to tankyrase. The physiological relevance is indicated by co-immunoprecipitation of endogenous proteins in 293T cells.     

A conserved arginine-containing motif crucial for the assembly and enzymatic activity of the mixed lineage leukemia protein-1 core complex

The mixed lineage leukemia protein-1 (MLL1) belongs to the SET1 family of histone H3 lysine 4 methyltransferases. Recent studies indicate that the catalytic subunits of SET1 family members are regulated by interaction with a conserved core group of proteins that include the WD repeat protein-5 (WDR5), retinoblastoma-binding protein-5 (RbBP5), and the absent small homeotic-2-like protein (Ash2L). It has been suggested that WDR5 functions to bridge the interactions between the catalytic and regulatory subunits of SET1 family complexes. However, the molecular details of these interactions are unknown. To gain insight into the interactions among these proteins, we have determined the biophysical basis for the interaction between the human WDR5 and MLL1. Our studies reveal that WDR5 preferentially recognizes a previously unidentified and conserved arginine-containing motif, called the "Win" or WDR5 interaction motif, which is located in the N-SET region of MLL1 and other SET1 family members. Surprisingly, our structural and functional studies show that WDR5 recognizes arginine 3765 of the MLL1 Win motif using the same arginine binding pocket on WDR5 that was previously shown to bind histone H3. We demonstrate that WDR5's recognition of arginine 3765 of MLL1 is essential for the assembly and enzymatic activity of the MLL1 core complex in vitro.     

MLL: How complex does it get?

The mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) gene encodes a very large nuclear protein homologous to Drosophila trithorax (trx). MLL is required for the proper maintenance of HOX gene expression during development and hematopoiesis. The exact regulatory mechanism of HOX gene expression by MLL is poorly understood, but it is believed that MLL functions at the level of chromatin organization. MLL was identified as a common target of chromosomal translocations associated with human acute leukemias. About 50 different MLL fusion partners have been isolated to date, and while similarities exist between groups of partners, there exists no unifying property shared by all the partners. MLL gene rearrangements are found in leukemias with both lymphoid and myeloid phenotypes and are often associated with infant and secondary leukemias. The immature phenotype of the leukemic blasts suggests an important role for MLL in the early stages of hematopoietic development. Mll homozygous mutant mice are embryonic lethal and exhibit deficiencies in yolk sac hematopoiesis. Recently, two different MLL-containing protein complexes have been isolated. These and other gain- and loss-of-function experiments have provided insight into normal MLL function and altered functions of MLL fusion proteins. This article reviews the progress made toward understanding the function of the wild-type MLL protein. While many advances in understanding this multifaceted protein have been made since its discovery, many challenging questions remain to be answered.