Gata2 deficiency delays leukemogenesis while contributing to aggressive leukemia phenotype in Cbfb-MYH11 knockin mice

Leukemia. 2020 Mar;34(3):759-770. doi: 10.1038/s41375-019-0605-7. Epub 2019 Oct 17.

Abstract

Inversion of chromosome 16 (inv(16)) generates a fusion gene CBFB-MYH11, which is a driver mutation for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Gene expression profiling suggests that Gata2, a hematopoietic transcription factor, is a top upregulated gene in preleukemic Cbfb-MYH11 knockin mice and is expressed in human inv(16) AML. On the other hand, we have also identified recurrent monoallelic deletions of GATA2 in relapsed human CBF-AML patients. To clarify the role of Gata2 in leukemogenesis by Cbfb-MYH11, we generated conditional Cbfb-MYH11 knockin mice with Gata2 heterozygous knockout. Gata2 heterozygous knockout reduced abnormal myeloid progenitors, which are capable of inducing leukemia in the Cbfb-MYH11 mice. Consequently, Cbfb-MYH11 mice with Gata2 heterozygous knockout developed leukemia with longer latencies than those with intact Gata2. Interestingly, leukemic cells with Gata2 heterozygous knockout gained higher number of mutations and showed more aggressive phenotype in both primary and transplanted mice. Moreover, leukemic cells with Gata2 heterozygous knockout showed higher repopulating capacity in competitive transplantation experiments. In summary, reduction of Gata2 activity affects mutational dynamics of leukemia with delayed leukemia onset in Cbfb-MYH11 knockin mice, but paradoxically results in a more aggressive leukemia phenotype, which may be correlated with leukemia relapse or poor prognosis in human patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carcinogenesis / genetics*
  • Chromosome Inversion
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 16
  • Core Binding Factor beta Subunit / genetics*
  • Female
  • GATA2 Deficiency / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic*
  • Heterozygote
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / genetics*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Mutation
  • Myosin Heavy Chains / genetics*
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / genetics
  • Phenotype

Substances

  • CBFB protein, human
  • Cbfb protein, mouse
  • Core Binding Factor beta Subunit
  • MYH11 protein, human
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
  • myosin 11, mouse
  • Myosin Heavy Chains