We report a novel MLL-associated chromosome translocation t(11;14)(q23;q24)
in a child who showed signs of acute undifferentiated leukemia 3 years aft
er intensive chemotherapy, that included the topoisomerase-II inhibitor VP
16. Screening of a cDNA library of the patient's leukemic cells showed a no
vel fusion transcript between MLL and the Gephyrin (GPHN) gene on 14q24. Th
e resulting MLL-GPHN fusion gene encodes MLL AT hook motifs and a DNA methy
ltransferase homology domain fused to the C-terminal half of Gephyrin, incl
uding a presumed tubulin binding site and a domain homologous to the Escher
ichia coli molybdenum cofactor biosynthesis protein MoeA. Genomic breakpoin
t analysis showed potential, in vitro topoisomerase-II DNA-binding sites sp
anning the breakpoints in both MLL and GPHN but no flanking sequences that
might mediate homologous recombination. This suggests that MLL-GPHN may hav
e been generated by VP 16/topoisomerase-II-induced DNA double-strand breaks
, followed by error-prone DNA repair via non-homologous end joining. Gephyr
in was originally identified as a submembraneous scaffold protein that anch
ors and immobilizes postsynaptic membrane neurotransmitter receptors to und
erlying cytoskeletal elements. It also is reported to bind to phosphatidyli
nositol 3,4,5-triphosphate binding proteins involved in actin dynamics and
downstream signaling and, interacts with ATM-related family member RAFTI. G
ephyrin domains in the chimeric protein therefore could contribute novel si
gnal sequences or might modify MLL activity by oligomerization or intracell
ular redistribution. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.