Low expression of ASH2L protein correlates with a favorable outcome in acute myeloid leukemia

JS Butler, YH Qiu, N Zhang, SY Yoo… - Leukemia & …, 2017 - Taylor & Francis
JS Butler, YH Qiu, N Zhang, SY Yoo, KR Coombes, SYR Dent, SM Kornblau
Leukemia & lymphoma, 2017Taylor & Francis
ASH2L encodes a trithorax group protein that is a core component of all characterized
mammalian histone H3K4 methyltransferase complexes, including mixed lineage leukemia
(MLL) complexes. ASH2L protein levels in primary leukemia patient samples have not yet
been defined. We analyzed ASH2L protein expression in 511 primary AML patient samples
using reverse phase protein array (RPPA) technology. We discovered that ASH2L
expression is significantly increased in a subset of patients carrying fms-related tyrosine …
Abstract
ASH2L encodes a trithorax group protein that is a core component of all characterized mammalian histone H3K4 methyltransferase complexes, including mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) complexes. ASH2L protein levels in primary leukemia patient samples have not yet been defined. We analyzed ASH2L protein expression in 511 primary AML patient samples using reverse phase protein array (RPPA) technology. We discovered that ASH2L expression is significantly increased in a subset of patients carrying fms-related tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) mutations. Furthermore, we observed that low levels of ASH2L are associated with increased overall survival. We also compared ASH2L levels to the expression of 230 proteins previously analyzed on this array. ASH2L expression was inversely correlated with 32 proteins, mostly involved in cell adhesion and cell cycle inhibition, while a positive correlation was observed for 50 proteins, many of which promote cell proliferation. Together, these results indicate that a lower level of ASH2L protein is beneficial to AML patients.
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