Project description:We identified 2 phenotypically and functionally distinct populations in our AML-iPSC line upon hematopoietic differentiation. One population is phenotypically and functionally a leukemia stem cell population (iLSCs = Samples A) and the second is more differentiated (iBlasts = Samples S). We found RUNX1 to be critical for iLSC maintenance and used gene expression and chromatin accessibility analyses after RUNX1 KD in iLSCs and iBlasts to identify the molecular mechanism of RUNX1 in iLSCs.
Project description:The t(12;21) chromosomal translocation, targeting the gene encoding the RUNX1 transcription factor, is observed in 25% of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and is an initiating event in the disease. To elucidate the mechanism by which RUNX1 disruption initiates leukemogenesis, we investigated its normal role in murine B-cell development. Gene expression analysis and genome-wide Runx1-occupancy studies support the hypothesis that Runx1 reinforces the transcription factor network in B-cell progenitors governing early B-cell survival and development .
Project description:Overwhelming evidence indicates that long non-coding RNAs have essential roles in tumorigenesis. Nevertheless, their expression and role in pediatric B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia has not been extensively explored. Here, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the long non-coding RNA transcriptome in ETV6/RUNX1 positive BCP-ALL, one of the most frequent subtypes of pediatric leukemia. An ETV6/RUNX1 expression signature was established, consisting of 596 lncRNAs (434 up and 162 down) using expression analysis of a series of primary patient samples. Subsequently, RNA sequencing from BCP-ALL cell lines and shRNA-mediated silencing of ETV6/RUNX1, illustrated that lnc-NKX2-3-1, lnc-TIMM21-5, lnc-ASTN1-1 and lnc-RTN4R-1 are bona fide ETV6/RUNX1 targets and could serve as novel biomarkers of this prevalent subtype of human leukemia.
Project description:The t(12;21) chromosomal translocation, targeting the gene encoding the RUNX1 transcription factor, is observed in 25% of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and is an initiating event in the disease. To elucidate the mechanism by which RUNX1 disruption initiates leukemogenesis, we investigated its normal role in murine B-cell development. Gene expression analysis and genome-wide Runx1-occupancy studies support the hypothesis that Runx1 reinforces the transcription factor network in B-cell progenitors governing early B-cell survival and development . Refer to individual Series
Project description:During ontogeny the transcription factor RUNX1 governs the emergence of definitive hematopoietic cells from specialized endothelial cells, called hemogenic endothelium (HE). The ultimate consequence of this endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition is the concomitant activation of the hematopoietic program and down-regulation of the endothelial program. However, due to the rare and transient nature of the HE, little is known about the initial role of RUNX1 within this population. We therefore developed and implemented a highly sensitive DamID (DNA adenine methyltransferase identification) based methodology, including a novel data analysis pipeline, to map early RUNX1 transcriptional targets in HE cells. This novel transcription factor binding site identification protocol should be widely applicable to other low abundance cell types and factors. Integration of the RUNX1 binding profile with gene expression data revealed an unexpected early role for RUNX1 as a positive regulator of cell adhesion and migration associated genes within the HE. This suggests that RUNX1 orchestrates HE cell positioning and integration prior to the release of hematopoietic cells. Overall, our genome-wide analysis of the RUNX1 binding and transcriptional profile in the HE provides a novel comprehensive resource of target genes that will facilitate the precise dissection of the role of RUNX1 in early blood development. Runx1b binding profiles of mouse ES derived haemogenonic endothelium were generated by deep sequencing using the SOLiD 3 or 4 System (Applied Biosystems). Three biological duplicates and three technical replicates where sequenced for each of the following lines: iDam_runx1-/- (iDamko) and iRunx1b::Dam_runx1-/- (iRunx1b::Damko)