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Are aberrant BCR--ABL transcripts more common than previously thought?

G A Wilson·E A Vandenberghe·R C Pollitt·D C Rees·A C Goodeve·I R Peake·J T Reilly
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Abstract

We report the use of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using 4% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) for the detection of BCR-ABL transcripts in Philadelphia-positive disease. Three out of 50 cases [two out of 37 chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), one out of 13 acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)] possessed rare breakpoints; an e19a2 and e13a3 in CML and an e1a3 in the ALL. We suggest that multiplex PCR using 4% PAGE and optimized for smaller transcript detection may lead to a higher detection rate of rare BCR-ABL breakpoints. Multiplex PCR, however, failed to distinguish e13a2 from e1a3 transcripts. Finally, the presence of e13a3 in CML supports the view that abl exon 2 sequences are unnecessary for the pathogenesis of 'classic' CML.

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Chromosome BreakageElectrophoresis, Polyacrylamide GelFusion Proteins, bcr-ablGenotypeHumansLeukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL PositivePhenotypePhiladelphia ChromosomePolymerase Chain ReactionPrecursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-LymphomaJournal Article

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G A Wilson, E A Vandenberghe, R C Pollitt, D C Rees, A C Goodeve, I R Peake, J T Reilly. 2000. Are aberrant BCR--ABL transcripts more common than previously thought?. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2141.2000.02471.x

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