GATA-1, GATA-2, AND STEM-CELL LEUKEMIA GENE-EXPRESSION IN ACUTE MYELOID-LEUKEMIA

Transcription factors play an important role in the normal development al process of hematopoietic cells. However, expression of transcriptio n factors and its implication in various human leukemias is not well u nderstood. We have studied GATA-1, GATA-2, and stem cell leukemia (SCL ) gene expression in 30 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay. In AML both GATA-1 and SCL genes were commonly expressed in M6 and M7 leukemias, and also in leukemias bearing the platelet-associated antigen. We foun d some AML patients with GATA-1, but not SCL expression. Most CD7(+) A ML and t(8;21)(q22;q22)-AML were included in this group, which often d emonstrated immunoglobulin heavy chain and/or T-cell receptor gene rea rrangements. Consequently, GATA-1(+) SCL(-) AML may originate from ear ly myeloid progenitors. Moreover, most AML patients of the M3, M4, or M5 groups were GATA-1(-) SCL(-). Our data suggest that the expression pattern of transcription factors may help to define distinct phenotype s of AML cells.