3′UTR-Mediated Gene Silencing of the Mixed Lineage Leukemia (MLL) Gene
2011
Gene Silencing of the MLL Gene and Its Role in Leukemia
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Gomez-Benito Maria, Loayza-Puch Fabricio, Oude Vrielink Joachim, Odero Maria D., Agami Reuven
Primary Institution: The Netherlands Cancer Institute
Hypothesis
Loss of the MLL 3′UTR could have a role in generating high MLL-PG levels and leukemia development.
Conclusion
MLL translocations relieve oncogenic MLL-PG fusions from the repressive MLL 3′UTR, contributing to higher activity of these genes and leukemia development.
Supporting Evidence
- MLL translocations lead to higher levels of MLL-PG and inhibition of PG-MLL expression.
- MLL-3′UTR imposes a strong gene silencing effect.
- Gene suppression by the MLL 3′UTR was largely microRNA independent.
Takeaway
The study found that a part of a gene called MLL helps control how much of another gene is made, and when this control is lost, it can lead to leukemia.
Methodology
The researchers tested mRNA levels in leukemic cells and performed reporter assays to analyze gene expression.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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