ABL1 (v-abl Abelson murine leukemia viral oncogene homolog 1)

2008-08-01   Ali G Turhan 

Pole de Biologie-Sante - 40 avenue du Recteur Pineau - 86022 Poitiers Cedex, France

Identity

HGNC
LOCATION
9q34.12
LOCUSID
FUSION GENES

DNA/RNA

Atlas Image
DNA diagram

Description

12 exons; 230 kb.

Transcription

Alternate splicing: 1a and 1b are 5 alternative exons; mRNA of 6 and 7 kb (with 1a and 1b respectively), giving rise to 2 protein of 145 kDa.

Proteins

Atlas Image
Protein diagram

Description

1130-1143 amino acids; 4 domains: of which are SH (SRC homology) domains; NH2-term -- domain 1: SH3 (where can bind the binding protein BP1, to inhibit SH1 activation) and SH2 (with high affinity towards BCR first exon) -- domain 2: SH1 (with a self-phosphorylable tyrosine) -- domain 3: nuclear localization domain (DNA binding, but not during mitosis) -- domain 4: actin binding (cytoskeleton) --COOH-term; note: 1b (but not the 1a alternative) myristylable allowing anchorage to the membrane.
Normal ABL has a tri-dimensional structure which is tightly preserved in a closed, inactive conformation order to prevent oncogenic activation. The maintenance of this inactive conformation is possible by:
  • 1- the "latching" of the myristilated NH2-terminal sequence which is directly linked to a myristilation recognition sequence on the c-lobe of the SH1 kinase domain;
  • 2-The close contact between SH3 and SH2 domain
  • 3- The interactions between SH3 domain and the C-lobe of the kinase domain. These interactions clamp the structure and prevent the kinase to switch to an active conformation, a process which requires the phosphorylation of Tyr 412 residue and the "unlatching" of the myristoyl group from the C-Lobe of the kinase domain. The attachment of proline-rich SH2 and SH3 ligands leads to the complete switch of the protein to an open, active conformation of the kinase. The NH2-terminal myristilation (autoregulatory role) is deleted during the t(9;22) translocation.
  • Expression

    Ubiquitously expressed, c-ABL K/O phenotype is lethal.

    Localisation

    c-abl is localized to the nucleus, plasma membrane and actin cytoskeleton.

    Function

    c-ABL exhibit a permanent nuclear and cytoplasmic shuttling activity, driven by 3 nuclear localisation signals (NLS) and a single nuclear export signal (NES) close to the C-terminal region. Recent data suggest that nuclear and cytoplasmic ABL may have different functions.
  • 1- Nuclear c-ABL plays a major role in the regulation of cell death after DNA damage. All DNA damage inducing agents activate nuclear c-ABL kinase in a ATM-dependent manner and in the presence of the p53-homolog p73 protein. The latter is physically associated with c-ABL after DNA damage through the SH3 domain of c-ABL. DNA damage also activates simultanously p53 pathway, leading to the activation of Rb which induces growth arrest and protects cells from apoptosis. The exacts mechanisms of apoptosis induced by c-ABL are unknown. The translocation of cytoplasmic c-ABL to the nucleus has been shown to be due to its release from 14-3-3 proteins to which c-ABL is associated in the cytoplasm. JNK-dependent phosphorylation of 14-3-3 upon an oxidative stress, allows this release process and translocation of c-ABL to the nucleus. The oncoprotein MUC has also been shown to block nuclear translocation of c-ABL after apoptotic stimuli.The nuclear entrapment of BCR-ABL has also been shown to induce apoptosis in leukemic cells.
  • 2- Cytoplasmic c-ABL : possible function in adhesion signalling as an efflux of c-ABL from nucleus to the cytoplasm is found in fibroblasts after adhesion. Regulation: Experiments using purified c-abl in vitro allowed to elucidate the mechanism of c-abl regulation which is mediated by an intrinsic property of the molecule. This is the 80 amino-acid N terminal "cap" of the protein is able and sufficient its tyrosine kinase activity and the loss of this cap portion activates the oncogenic potential of c-abl. From the structural point of view, this inhibition is generated by the docking of the myristilated N-terminal of c-abl into the kinase domain. The current view is the fact that c-abl localized in the nucleus, plasma membrane and the actin cytoskeleton undergo different types of regulation. In the membrane-associated c-abl, the myristilated N-terminal end of membrane form can not interact with the kinase c-lobe and it has been suggested that phosphadytilinositol 4-5 bi-phosphate could play an inhibitory role. The autoregulatory mechanism remains functional in the cytoplasmic and nuclear form of c-abl. The latter is also negatively regulated by Rb in the G-phase of the cell cycle. Beside the structural auto-inhibition, several cellular proteins have been shown to inhibit c-ABL: Pag (or Peroxiredoxin-I), Rb and F(actin). Regulation of ABL could therefore be due to a dual mechanism, involving an autoinhibition in the presence of co-inhibitors, which can be active on normal ABL-kinase activity but inactive against increased TK activity of BCR-ABL proteins.
    Recent data suggest that pharmacological inhibition of endogenous ABL could lead to a genetic instability, potentially by inhibition of mismatch repair mechanisms. Long-term inhibition of c-ABL by TKI therapies could therefore be responsible of the occurrence of a mutator phenotypes.
    Activation of ABL can also be detected in solid malignant tumors (lung and breast). Similarly , it has been shown that tumor suppression induced by Ephrin receptor EphB4 requires the presence of an active ABL and phosphorylation of the downstream target CRK by ABL.
  • Homology

    SRC homology; like SRC, ABL is one of the tyrosine kinases which are not membrane receptors.

    Implicated in

    Entity name
    t(9;12)(q34;p12)/acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) --> ETV6-ABL1
    Disease
    Common ALL; yet poorly known.
    Hybrid gene
    5 ETV6/TEL from 12p12 - 3 ABL from 9q34.
    Fusion protein
    NH2-term Helix Loop Helix from ETV6(TEL) fused to Tyr Kinase from ABL COOH-term; localised in the cytoskeleton.
    Oncogenesis
    Forms HLH-dependent oligomers, which may be critical for Tyr kinase activation; oncogenesis may be comparable to that induced by BCR/ABL.
    Disease
    All CML have a t(9;22), at least at the molecular level (BCR/ABL); phenotype and stem cell origin: multipotent progenitor: t(9;22) is found in all myeloid and B- lineage progenitors.
    Prognosis
    The prognosis of CML has changed radically over the last 10 years, due to the development of novel drugs able to target the enhanced tyrosine kinase activity of BCR-ABL. The first of these therapies is Imatinib Mesylate (Gleevec) which has become the first line therapy for all patients with CML (See CML). In the first cohort trial of patients treated with Imatinib mesylate, the rates of complete cytogenetics responses (CCR) were exceptionally high (82 %) as compared to standard IFN-alpha - ARA-C therapy. At the most recent 6-year update, the overall survival is 90 % and most interestingly, the rates of progression towards more aggressive phases have been found to be progressively decreasing in all patients with major molecular responses (MMR). (For definition of MMR see CML). In IM-resistant or relapsing Ph1+ CML patients, second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapies such as Dasatinib (a dual SRC and ABL inhibitor) and Nilotinib have also recently become available.
    Cytogenetics
    Anomalies additional to the t(9;22) may be found either at diagnosis or during course of the disease, or at the time of acute transformation; mainly: +der(22), +8, i(17q), +19; +21, -Y, -7, -17, +17; variant translocations: t(9;22;V) and apparent t(V;22) or t(9;V), where V is a variable chromosome, karyotypes with apparently normal chromosomes 9 and 22, may be found.
    Hybrid gene
    see below
    Atlas Image
    Probe 1132H12 on a case of CML with t(9/22). Note the splitting of the probe, evident also on interphase nuclei - Courtesy Mariano Rocchi, Resources for Molecular Cytogenetics
    Fusion protein
    see below
    Oncogenesis
    see below
    Entity name
    Disease
    Most often CD 10+ B-ALL; frequent CNS involvement.
    Prognosis
    The prognosis of Ph1+ ALL has changed since the introduction of tyrosine-kinase inhibitor therapies, especially imatinib mesylate which is currently used as a first line therapy associated with either high dose chemotherapy or classical ALL-type induction (steroids+ vincristine) and maintenance. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is indicated in Ph1+ ALL patients relapsing after Imatinib-based regimens. In IM-resistant or relapsing Ph1+ ALL patients, second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapies such as Dasatinib (a dual SRC and ABL inhibitor) and Nilotinib have also recently become available.
    Cytogenetics
    The chromosome anomaly t(9;22) disappear during remission, in contrast with BC-CML cases (CML in blast crisis); additional anomalies: +der(22), -7, del(7q) most often, +8, but not an i(17q), in contrast with CML and AML cases; complex karyotypes, often hyperploid; variants and complex translocations may be found as in CML.
    Hybrid gene
    see below. In Both CML and Ph1+ ALL, detection and quantification of p210 BCR-ABL and p190 BCR-ABL have become the cornerstones of monitoring targeted therapies.
    Fusion protein
    see below
    Oncogenesis
    see below
    Disease
    AML mostly M1 or M2 AML.
    Prognosis
    High rates of hematologic , cytogenetic and molecular responses have been reported in de novo PH1+ AML, which is a rare entity.
    Cytogenetics
    The chromosome anomaly t(9;22) disappear during remission, in contrast with BC-CML cases (CML in blast crisis); additional anomalies: similar to what is found in CML.
    Hybrid gene
    see below
    Fusion protein
    see below
    Oncogenesis
    see below
    Hybrid gene
    BCR/ABL the crucial event lies on der(22), id est 5 BCR - 3 ABL hybrid gene is the crucial one, while ABL/BCR may or may not be expressed; breakpoint in ABL is variable over a region of 200 kb, often between the two alternative exons 1b and 1a, sometimes 5 of 1b or 3 of 1a, but always 5 of exon 2; breakpoint in BCR is either:
  • 1- in a region called M-bcr (for major breakpoint cluster region), a cluster of 5.8 kb, between exons 12 and 16, also called b1 to b5 of M-bcr; most breakpoints being either between b2 and b3, or between b3 and b4; transcript is 8.5 kb long; this results in a 210 KDa chimeric protein (P210); this is found in (most cases of) CML, and in half cases of ALL or AML.
  • 2- in a 35 kb region between exons 1 and 2, called m-bcr (minor breakpoint cluster region), -> 7 kb mRNA, resulting in a 190 KDa protein (P190); this is found in half of the cases of ALL or AML.
  • 3- A breakpoint in the exon 19 of BCR (designed as micro-bcr) with fusion to abl sequences (a2) has been in neutrophilic CML, with presence of a larger protein (P230).
  • Fusion protein
    BCR/ABL P210 comprises the first 902 or 927 amino acids from BCR, P190 only the 427 N-term from BCR; BCR/ABL has a cytoplasmic localization, in contrast with ABL, mostly nuclear.
    Oncogenesis
    BCR/ABL has a cytoplasmic localization role and all three BCR-ABL fusion proteins have been shown to exhibit oncogenic potential. All three hybrid proteins have increased protein kinase activity compared to ABL: 3BP1 (binding protein) binds normal ABL on SH3 domain,which prevents SH1 activation; with BCR/ABL, the first (N-terminal) exon of BCR binds to SH2, hidding SH3 which, as a consequence, cannot be bound to 3BP1; thereof, SH1 is activated; oncogenesis
    1- proliferation is induced through activation by BCR/ABL of RAS signal transduction pathway, PI3-K (phosphatidyl inositol 3 kinase) pathway, and MYC;
    2- BCR/ABL inhibits apoptosis (via activation of STAT5 and BclXL)
    3- BCR/ABL provokes cell adhesive abnormalities (via CRK-L, FAK) as well as abnormalities of cell migration (via CXCR-4 whose expression is downregulated in CML cells expressing high levels of BCR-ABL).
    In experimental settings CD44 has been shown to play a major role in homing of BCR-ABL expressing cells.
    4- BCR-ABL induces a major genetic instability: Molecular pathways involved in this phenomenon have recently been elucidated (See BCR-ABL).
    5-BCR-ABL and endogenous ABL have been shown to be the target of miR 203 which is heavily methylated in CML cell lines expressing BCR-ABL. Restoration of miR 203 expression leads to reduction of BCR-ABL levels, suggesting a potential use of this strategy for therapeutic purposes.

    Breakpoints

    Atlas Image

    Bibliography

    Pubmed IDLast YearTitleAuthors
    185387332008Genetic and epigenetic silencing of microRNA-203 enhances ABL1 and BCR-ABL1 oncogene expression.Bueno MJ et al
    149828762004The biology of CML blast crisis.Calabretta B et al
    110716262000The molecular biology of chronic myeloid leukemia.Deininger MW et al
    158052652005p210BCR-ABL inhibits SDF-1 chemotactic response via alteration of CXCR4 signaling and down-regulation of CXCR4 expression.Geay JF et al
    169984832006Requirement for CD44 in homing and engraftment of BCR-ABL-expressing leukemic stem cells.Krause DS et al
    183919832008Activated c-Abl tyrosine kinase in malignant solid tumors.Lin J et al
    126542512003Structural basis for the autoinhibition of c-Abl tyrosine kinase.Nagar B et al
    168621472006The EphB4 receptor suppresses breast cancer cell tumorigenicity through an Abl-Crk pathway.Noren NK et al
    117533852002BCR-ABL suppresses C/EBPalpha expression through inhibitory action of hnRNP E2.Perrotti D et al
    118322142002Autoinhibition of c-Abl.Pluk H et al
    168886232006MUC1 oncoprotein blocks nuclear targeting of c-Abl in the apoptotic response to DNA damage.Raina D et al
    150397782004Abl-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of Sos-1 mediates growth-factor-induced Rac activation.Sini P et al
    129068152003c-Abl regulation: a tail of two lipids.Van Etten RA et al
    184800612008Role of c-Abl kinase in DNA mismatch repair-dependent G2 cell cycle checkpoint arrest responses.Wagner MW et al
    147046712004Controlling Abl: auto-inhibition and co-inhibition?Wang JY et al
    150325712004The BCR-ABL story: bench to bedside and back.Wong S et al
    156961592005JNK phosphorylation of 14-3-3 proteins regulates nuclear targeting of c-Abl in the apoptotic response to DNA damage.Yoshida K et al

    Other Information

    Locus ID:

    NCBI: 25
    MIM: 189980
    HGNC: 76
    Ensembl: ENSG00000097007

    Variants:

    dbSNP: 25
    ClinVar: 25
    TCGA: ENSG00000097007
    COSMIC: ABL1

    RNA/Proteins

    Gene IDTranscript IDUniprot
    ENSG00000097007ENST00000318560P00519
    ENSG00000097007ENST00000318560A0A024R8E2
    ENSG00000097007ENST00000372348P00519
    ENSG00000097007ENST00000393293R4GRW0

    Expression (GTEx)

    0
    50
    100
    150
    200

    Pathways

    PathwaySourceExternal ID
    ErbB signaling pathwayKEGGko04012
    Cell cycleKEGGko04110
    Axon guidanceKEGGko04360
    Pathogenic Escherichia coli infectionKEGGko05130
    Chronic myeloid leukemiaKEGGko05220
    ErbB signaling pathwayKEGGhsa04012
    Cell cycleKEGGhsa04110
    Axon guidanceKEGGhsa04360
    Pathogenic Escherichia coli infectionKEGGhsa05130
    ShigellosisKEGGhsa05131
    Pathways in cancerKEGGhsa05200
    Chronic myeloid leukemiaKEGGhsa05220
    Neurotrophin signaling pathwayKEGGko04722
    Neurotrophin signaling pathwayKEGGhsa04722
    Viral myocarditisKEGGhsa05416
    MicroRNAs in cancerKEGGhsa05206
    MicroRNAs in cancerKEGGko05206
    Ras signaling pathwayKEGGhsa04014
    Immune SystemREACTOMER-HSA-168256
    Innate Immune SystemREACTOMER-HSA-168249
    Fcgamma receptor (FCGR) dependent phagocytosisREACTOMER-HSA-2029480
    Regulation of actin dynamics for phagocytic cup formationREACTOMER-HSA-2029482
    HemostasisREACTOMER-HSA-109582
    Factors involved in megakaryocyte development and platelet productionREACTOMER-HSA-983231
    Signal TransductionREACTOMER-HSA-162582
    Signaling by Rho GTPasesREACTOMER-HSA-194315
    RHO GTPase EffectorsREACTOMER-HSA-195258
    RHO GTPases Activate WASPs and WAVEsREACTOMER-HSA-5663213
    Developmental BiologyREACTOMER-HSA-1266738
    Axon guidanceREACTOMER-HSA-422475
    Signaling by Robo receptorREACTOMER-HSA-376176
    Role of Abl in Robo-Slit signalingREACTOMER-HSA-428890
    MyogenesisREACTOMER-HSA-525793
    CDO in myogenesisREACTOMER-HSA-375170
    DNA RepairREACTOMER-HSA-73894
    DNA Double-Strand Break RepairREACTOMER-HSA-5693532
    DNA Double Strand Break ResponseREACTOMER-HSA-5693606
    Recruitment and ATM-mediated phosphorylation of repair and signaling proteins at DNA double strand breaksREACTOMER-HSA-5693565
    Homology Directed RepairREACTOMER-HSA-5693538
    HDR through Homologous Recombination (HR) or Single Strand Annealing (SSA)REACTOMER-HSA-5693567
    HDR through Single Strand Annealing (SSA)REACTOMER-HSA-5685938

    Protein levels (Protein atlas)

    Not detected
    Low
    Medium
    High

    PharmGKB

    Entity IDNameTypeEvidenceAssociationPKPDPMIDs
    PA10804imatinibChemicalLabelAnnotation, VipGeneassociated
    PA162372878dasatinibChemicalLabelAnnotation, VipGeneassociated
    PA164924493axitinibChemicalVipGeneassociated25686603
    PA165958345nilotinibChemicalLabelAnnotation, VipGeneassociated
    PA165980594ponatinibChemicalLabelAnnotation, VipGeneassociated
    PA166114906bosutinibChemicalLabelAnnotation, VipGeneassociated
    PA166114929homoharringtonineChemicalLabelAnnotationassociated
    PA166129524blinatumomabChemicalLabelAnnotationassociated
    PA166157848rs121913459VariantLabelAnnotation, VipGeneassociated25686603, 15256671
    PA166177510inotuzumab ozogamicinChemicalLabelAnnotationassociated
    PA445062NeoplasmsDiseaseMultilinkAnnotationassociated2676087
    PA445316Philadelphia ChromosomeDiseaseMultilinkAnnotation, VipGeneassociated6960256, 2676087, 6960256
    PA446171Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL PositiveDiseaseMultilinkAnnotation, VipGeneassociated6960256, 2676087, 6960256
    PA446175Leukemia, Myeloid, Chronic, Atypical, BCR-ABL NegativeDiseaseMultilinkAnnotationassociated2676087
    PA448691busulfanChemicalLabelAnnotationassociated
    PA451879vincristineChemicalLabelAnnotationassociated

    References

    Pubmed IDYearTitleCitations
    188271852009Molecular biology of bcr-abl1-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.157
    185387332008Genetic and epigenetic silencing of microRNA-203 enhances ABL1 and BCR-ABL1 oncogene expression.155
    126238482003Detection of BCR-ABL mutations in patients with CML treated with imatinib is virtually always accompanied by clinical resistance, and mutations in the ATP phosphate-binding loop (P-loop) are associated with a poor prognosis.132
    169984832006Requirement for CD44 in homing and engraftment of BCR-ABL-expressing leukemic stem cells.131
    221844102012Chronic myeloid leukemia stem cells are not dependent on Bcr-Abl kinase activity for their survival.129
    126542502003A myristoyl/phosphotyrosine switch regulates c-Abl.127
    177102272007Sequential ABL kinase inhibitor therapy selects for compound drug-resistant BCR-ABL mutations with altered oncogenic potency.120
    121305162002Several types of mutations of the Abl gene can be found in chronic myeloid leukemia patients resistant to STI571, and they can pre-exist to the onset of treatment.109
    175873352007Anaplasma phagocytophilum AnkA secreted by type IV secretion system is tyrosine phosphorylated by Abl-1 to facilitate infection.104
    208232262010Phosphorylation by the c-Abl protein tyrosine kinase inhibits parkin's ubiquitination and protective function.99

    Citation

    Ali G Turhan

    ABL1 (v-abl Abelson murine leukemia viral oncogene homolog 1)

    Atlas Genet Cytogenet Oncol Haematol. 2008-08-01

    Online version: http://atlasgeneticsoncology.org/gene/1/abl1

    Historical Card

    2001-04-01 ABL1 (v-abl Abelson murine leukemia viral oncogene homolog 1) by  Ali G Turhan 

    Pole de Biologie-Sante - 40 avenue du Recteur Pineau - 86022 Poitiers Cedex, France

    1997-10-01 ABL1 (v-abl Abelson murine leukemia viral oncogene homolog 1) by  Jean-Loup Huret 

    Genetics, Dept Medical Information, University of Poitiers, CHU Poitiers Hospital, F-86021 Poitiers, France