NUP214/ABL1 fusion gene on amplified episomes

2012-06-01   Nathalie Nadal  

1.Laboratoire dhematologie, Pavillon de Biologie, CHU Hopital Nord, 42055 St Etienne Cedex 2, France

Clinics and Pathology

Note

Not seen in B-cell ALL or other malignant diseases. , The main hypothesis is that genomic amplification is a dynamic process. Molecular chronology of genomic amplification has been schematically described as follows. The first step is the production of submicroscopic, acentric, circular, extrachromosomal DNA molecules which replicate autonomously, called episomes. These DNA molecules are made of amplified genes. 2 mechanisms for the formation of episomes have been proposed: Conservative which preserves the original DNA sequence at the native chromosomal locus and non conservative which leads to the deletion of the original sequence at the native locus. The second step corresponds to an increase in copy number resulting from unequal mitotic segregation and an increase in size. They enlarge over time to form progressively heterogeneously sized structures, microscopically visible, called double minutes (dmin). In a later step they may integrate into chromosomes to generate intrachromosomally amplified structures (HSR). In some cases dmins or HSRs may form directly without precursors.

Phenotype stem cell origin

Immature T-cell leukemia (CD3+, CD2+ and CD7+).

Epidemiology

In about 5% of T-ALL. Mainly observed in T-ALL associated with the mutually exclusive overexpression of the oncogenes HOX11 and HOX11L2. Found in pediatric and adults T-ALL.

Clinics

No major clinical differences between NUP214-ABL negative and positive T-ALL.

Cytology

Lymphoblasts.

Treatment

NUP214-ABL1 cells are sensitive to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (ITK). Targeting therapies may improve outcome of patients with T-ALL expressing NUP214-ABL1 but the clinical experience is, yet, too limited to conclude.

Prognosis

Most data, but not all, suggests that NUP214-ABL1 fusion gene amplification in T-ALL is associated with poor outcome.

Note

Mechanism of gene amplification

Cytogenetics

Cytogenetics morphological

Not detectable by conventional cytogenetics. Cryptic, no dmin.

Cytogenetics molecular

FISH using commercially available ABL1 probe shows multiple extrachromosomal sites on metaphases and multiple signals in interphase nuclei. The extrachromosomal amplification of ABL1 appears to be pathognomonique for the presence of NUP214-ABL1 fusion in T-ALL.There may be a corresponding deletion of the ABL1 probe on one of the chromosomes 9 (see note above concerning mechanisms of gene amplification).

Probes

ABL1 probe.

Additional anomalies

None. In apparently normal karyotype or with variable additional abnormalities.

Genes Involved and Proteins

Gene name
ABL1 (v-abl Abelson murine leukemia viral oncogene homolog 1)
Location
9q34.12
Dna rna description
Alternate splicing. mRNA of 6 and 7 kb. , 7.5 kb mRNA.
Protein description
Protein 145 kDa; Localization: nuclear and cytoplasmic; Tyrosine kinase; Ubiquitously expressed. ABL1 modulates T-cell development and plays a role in cytoskeletal remodelling processes in T-cells.
Gene name
NUP214 (nucleoporin 214kDa)
Location
9q34.13
Note
More telomeric than ABL1.
Dna rna description
Other names: CAN, CAIN, Nucleoporin.
Protein description
Component of the Nuclear Pore Complex. 214 kDa; 2 dimerization domains (2 leucine zippers) and a repeated motif; forms homodimers. Mediate nucleocytoplasmic transport. Localisation: nuclear membrane; cytoplasmic face.

Result of the Chromosomal Anomaly

Note

NUP214 is recognized as being the second most prevalent fusion gene involving ABL1.

Description

Molecular analyses delineated the amplicon as a 500 kb region from chromosome band 9q34 containing the genes ABL1, LAMC3 and NUP214. The genomic region from ABL1 to NUP214 circularizes to generate the NUP214-ABL1 fusion gene = New mechanism for generation of a fusion gene. The breakpoint within ABL1 occurs in intron 1 in most cases, in intron 2 in other cases (coincides with ABL1 breakpoint in the Philadelphia chromosome). Whilst the breakpoint in NUP214 is variable (ranging from intron 23 to intron 34).

Transcript

NUP214-ABL1 fusion gene.

Detection protocole

RT-PCR of the fusion transcript.

Description

The NUP214-ABL transcript encodes a 239-333 kDa protein which includes the coiled-coil domain (dimerisation motifs necessary for tyrosine kinase activation and neoplastic transformation) of NUP214 and the tyrosine kinase domain of ABL1.

Description

NUP214-ABL protein is a constitutively activated tyrosine kinase most likely implicated in the pathogenesis of T-ALL in a similar mechanism of action as for BCR-ABL as it activates similar pathways and for its sensitivity to ITK. However NUP214-ABL protein is less potent and requires amplification for neoplastic transformation.

Oncogenesis

NUP214 is also involved in the translocation t(6;9) seen in myeloid malignancies which results in the fusion gene DEK-NUP214. Unlike NUP214-ABL where the N-terminal region of NUP214 is retained, in DEK-NUP214, it is the C-terminal region of NUP214 which is present. The mode of leukemogenesis of DEK-NUP214 is thought to be interference with nucleocytoplasmic transport processes. It is unknown whether NUP214-ABL acts in the same way.

Article Bibliography

Pubmed IDLast YearTitleAuthors
156744152005NUP214-ABL1 amplification in t(5;14)/HOX11L2-positive ALL present with several forms and may have a prognostic significance.Ballerini P et al
150572492004Amplification of the ABL gene in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.Barber KE et al
168736732006NUP214-ABL1 in adult T-ALL: the GMALL study group experience.Burmeister T et al
214350022011ABL1 fusion genes in hematological malignancies: a review.De Braekeleer E et al
157138002005Fusion of EML1 to ABL1 in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia with cryptic t(9;14)(q34;q32).De Keersmaecker K et al
153618742004Fusion of NUP214 to ABL1 on amplified episomes in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.Graux C et al
184014172008Activity of tyrosine kinase inhibitors against human NUP214-ABL1-positive T cell malignancies.Quintás-Cardama A et al
160153852005Fusion of NUP214 to ABL1 on amplified episomes in T-ALL--implications for treatment.Stergianou K et al
26472871989The importance of circular DNA in mammalian gene amplification.Wahl GM et al

Summary

Note

Episomes are submicroscopic extrachromosomal structures.
Atlas Image
Episomal amplification of ABL detected by FISH with the commercial probe LSI BCR-ABL ES.

Citation

Nathalie Nadal

NUP214/ABL1 fusion gene on amplified episomes

Atlas Genet Cytogenet Oncol Haematol. 2012-06-01

Online version: http://atlasgeneticsoncology.org/haematological/1397/nup214-abl1-fusion-gene-on-amplified-episomes

Historical Card

2005-09-01 NUP214/ABL1 fusion gene on amplified episomes by  Nathalie Nadal 

Laboratoire dhematologie, Pavillon de Biologie, CHU Hopital Nord, 42055 St Etienne Cedex 2, France