Methylation analysis of the human multidrug resistance 1 gene in normal and leukemic hematopoietic cells.

Expression of the human multidrug resistance 1 gene (MDR1), which encodes the P-glycoprotein transmembrane efflux pump, has been associated with treatment failure of some leukemias, primarily acute myeloid leukemia (AML). To elucidate the epigenetic events associated with overexpression of MDR1 in AML, we analyzed the methylation status of a 2000 bp region within the MDR1 locus using a bisulphite genomic sequencing technique. A CpG-rich domain, approximately 1 kb in size, encompasses the promoter region, exon I, and intron I.

The receptor tyrosine kinase-related gene (ryk) demonstrates lineage and stage-specific expression in hematopoietic cells.

We attempted to isolate novel receptor tyrosine kinase, which may play a role in hematopoietic development by screening for expressed sequences with conserved tyrosine kinase catalytic domains. Among the known tyrosine kinases identified in this screen, we found a gene with characteristics of a receptor tyrosine kinase but unusual motifs in the catalytic domain. This gene is identical to ryk described independently by other investigators.

CD40 ligand gene defects responsible for X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome.

The ligand for CD40 (CD40L) is a membrane glycoprotein on activated T cells that induces B cell proliferation and immunoglobulin secretion. Abnormalities in the CD40L gene were associated with an X-linked immunodeficiency in humans [hyper-IgM (immunoglobulin M) syndrome]. This disease is characterized by elevated concentrations of serum IgM and decreased amounts of all other isotypes.