Cloning and structural analysis of cDNAs for bcl-2 and a hybrid bcl-2/immunoglobulin transcript resulting from the t(14;18) translocation

Cell. 1986 Oct 10;47(1):19-28. doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(86)90362-4.

Abstract

cDNAs for the bcl-2 mRNA were cloned from a human common acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell line. Nucleotide sequence analyses showed that the 6 kb bcl-2 mRNA potentially encodes a 26 kd protein that is homologous to a predicted Epstein-Barr virus protein. Most t(14;18) translocation breakpoints cluster within a narrow region of a 5.4 kb exon that contains a long 3'-untranslated region of the bcl-2 mRNA. As a result of t(14;18) translocation, hybrid bcl-2/immunoglobulin heavy chain transcripts are produced that consist of the 5' half of the bcl-2 mRNA fused to a "decapitated" immunoglobulin heavy chain mRNA. Nucleotide sequence analyses confirmed that the hybrid transcripts continue to encode a normal bcl-2 protein. Our results suggest that t(14;18) translocations alter expression of the bcl-2 gene both by transcriptional activation and by abnormal posttranscriptional regulation of bcl-2 mRNA.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Line
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14 / ultrastructure*
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18 / ultrastructure*
  • DNA / genetics*
  • Genes
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / genetics
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / genetics*
  • Leukemia, Lymphoid / genetics*
  • Poly A / analysis
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics*
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
  • Translocation, Genetic*
  • Viral Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Neoplasm
  • Viral Proteins
  • Poly A
  • DNA

Associated data

  • GENBANK/M14745