REARRANGEMENT AND ALTERED EXPRESSION OF THE NFKB-2 GENE IN HUMAN CUTANEOUS T-LYMPHOMA CELLS

The NF-kappa B/Rel and I kappa B proteins are important regulators of lymphocyte activation and gene expression. We have identified a rearra ngement of the NFKB-2 gene in the HUT 78 human cutaneous T-cell leukem ia (CTCL) line. cDNA and genomic DNA sequence predicted the presence o f a truncated 80 kD NFKB-2 precursor protein (p80HT), instead of the n ormal p100 protein. No wild-type allele was identified. Elevated level s of two aberrantly sized RNAs were detected, and high levels of p80HT and processed p52 protein were present in HUT 78 cell nuclei. The p52 protein bound to a palindromic KB DNA motif, however p80HT did not. R earrangement of the NFKB-2 gene was also detected in DNA from two pati ents with CTCL. Rearrangement and overexpression of the NFKB-2 gene ma y contribute to the genesis of a subset of T-cell malignancies.