A new study sheds light on the pathogenesis of lesions present in leukemia DNA -
The researchers were able to shed light on the pathogenesis of DNA breakpoints that are associated with leukemia. A mechanism discovered in a recent study may explain up to 0% of DNA damage present in the most common type of leukemia in children. The study was conducted by the University of Eastern Finland and the University of Tampere, and the results were published in eLife .
Leukemia is the most common form of cancer in children. Thank you to several genome-wide studies in recent years, our understanding of the biology of leukemia has increased rapidly. The fact that deletion of genes in leukemic blood cells are often associated with specific genes or DNA regions attracted the attention of researchers, but the underlying reason remained in the dark.
Directed by Academy Research Fellow Merja Heinäniemi the University of Eastern Finland and involving the group leader of the Department, Docent Olli Lohi research at the University of Tampere, a new study finally puts light on the pathogenesis of the lesions DNA present in leukemia. For the first time, researchers have shown that the DNA damage associated with leukemia occur in regions where DNA is transcribed particularly active. The explanatory power of the observed mechanism is different in different types of leukemia; However, the most common type of leukemia in children, the mechanism explained up to 0 percent of the damage occurring in the gene regions. In addition, the study identified a new high risk subtype of leukemia, which is characterized by abnormal expression of enzymes that cause DNA damage.
"When we studied the characteristics of a signal that describes the transcription of genes, we found that in areas that are susceptible to damage, gene transcription and slows temporarily exposes DNA to enzymes that cause DNA damage, "says Heinäniemi.
"It's like a" car accident "occurring in the blood cells :. transcription machineries that go in different directions within gene regions collide, which can cause irreversible damage Fortunately, most of these "accidents" are just close calls and they become dangerous only in children whose blood cell progenitors have other predisposing genetic damage, "Lohi says.
A similar mechanism has been discovered in lymphomas, which are cancers of the lymphatic tissue. At present, the mechanisms related to the pathogenesis and repair of DNA damage is a subject of research. This study increases our understanding of the diversity damage genes and leukemia, as well as the mechanisms by which cancer can become resistant to treatment.
The mechanism was discovered using several deep sequencing methods such as GRO sequencing, which was used to actively analyze DNA regions read by RNA polymerases. The measurements were performed at the University of Eastern Finland from samples collected at the Tampere Centre for Research in Child Health at the University of Tampere. Modeling and integration of different measurement results invoked computer expertise, while interpreting the results is a joint effort by experts in medicine, bioinformatics and genomics.
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