Recurrent Translocations in Topoisomerase Inhibitor-Related Leukemia Are Determined by the Features of DNA Breaks Rather Than by the Proximity of the Translocating Genes

Abstract

Topoisomerase inhibitors are widely used in cancer chemotherapy. However, one of the potential long-term adverse effects of such therapy is acute leukemia. A key feature of such therapy-induced acute myeloid leukemia (t-AML) is recurrent chromosomal translocations involving AML1 (RUNX1) or MLL (KMT2A) genes. The formation of chromosomal translocation depends on the spatial proximity of translocation partners and the mobility of the DNA ends. It is unclear which of these two factors might be decisive for recurrent t-AML translocations. Here, we used fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and chromosome conformation capture followed by sequencing (4C-seq) to investigate double-strand DNA break formation and the mobility of broken ends upon etoposide treatment, as well as contacts between translocation partner genes. We detected the separation of the parts of the broken AML1 gene, as well as the increased mobility of these separated parts. 4C-seq analysis showed no evident contacts of AML1 and MLL with loci, implicated in recurrent t-AML translocations, either before or after etoposide treatment. We suggest that separation of the break ends and their increased non-targeted mobility—but not spatial predisposition of the rearrangement partners—plays a major role in the formation of these translocations.

Etiology of Cancer in Children (Genetic and Non-Genetic Risk Factors)

“…Особенно примечательно, что заболеваемость острым лейкозом у испаноязычных детей примерно на 10 % выше по сравнению с белыми детьми. Степень, в которой расовые/этнические различия объясняются генетическими различиями по сравнению с различиями в окружающей среде, еще предстоит определить, но они, несомненно, окажутся в центре внимания по мере дальнейшего выяснения генетической структуры детского рака [7].…”

Visualizing the Genome: Experimental Approaches for Live-Cell Chromatin Imaging

“…In S. cerevisiae cells, DSBs have increased mobility compared to intact chromatin; this may facilitate the search for a homologous DNA for repair by homologous recombination [ 26 , 27 ]. In mammalian cells, the dynamics of DSBs is still unclear, with evidence both for [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ] and against [ 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ] an increased mobility of DSBs, which may depend on the type of DSB, the visualization system, and the cell type used. Regardless of overall mobility, the random connection of DSB ends of different chromosomes is possible and can lead to the formation of chromosomal translocations [ 36 ].…”