The MOZ-TIF2 fusion is associated with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with inv(8)(p11q13). MOZ is a MYST family histone acetyltransferase (HAT), whereas TIF2 is a nuclear receptor coactivator that associates with CREB binding protein (CBP). Here we demonstrate that MOZ-TIF2 has transforming properties in vitro and causes AML in a murine bone marrow transplant assay. The C2HC nucleosome recognition motif of MOZ is essential for transformation, whereas MOZ HAT activity is dispensable. However, MOZ-TIF2 interaction with CBP through the TIF2 CBP interaction domain (CID) is essential for transformation. These results indicate that nucleosomal targeting by MOZ and recruitment of CBP by TIF2 are critical requirements for MOZ-TIF2 transformation and indicate that MOZ gain of function contributes to leukemogenesis.

Chromosomal abnormalities of band 8p11 are associated with a distinct subtype of acute myeloid leukemia with French-American-British M4/5 morphology and prominent erythrophagocytosis by the blast cells. This subtype is usually associated with the t(8;16)(p11;p13), a translocation that has recently been shown to result in a fusion between the MOZ and CBP genes. We have cloned the inv(8)(p11q13), an abnormality associated with the same leukemia phenotype, and found a novel fusion between MOZ and the nuclear receptor transcriptional coactivatorTIF2/GRIP-1/NCoA-2. This gene has not previously been implicated in the pathogenesis of leukemia or other malignancies. MOZ-TIF2 retains the histone acetyltransferase homology domains of both proteins and also the CBP binding domain of TIF2. We speculate that the apparently identical leukemia cell phenotype observed in cases with the t(8;16) and the inv(8) arises by recruitment of CBP by MOZ-TIF2, resulting in modulation of the transcriptional activity of target genes by a mechanism involving abnormal histone acetylation.

A number of fusion genes have been identified by study of acquired chromosomal translocations. Their detailed characterization has provided insights into mechanisms of leukaemogenesis and has enabled the development of molecular methods to assist in the diagnosis and monitoring of residual disease after treatment. The TEL-AML1 fusion gene is associated with a cryptic t(12:21)(p12:q22) translocation, and is the commonest known genetic abnormality in childhood B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), occurring in about 25% of cases. We have used RT-PCR, followed by Southern blotting and direct sequencing, to establish the incidence of TEL-AML1 rearrangement in 131 adults with acute leukaemia (101 with ALL and 30 with chronic myeloid leukaemia in blastic crisis). Three patients were positive for TEL-AML1 transcripts. All three had common-ALL. All other patients were negative for TEL-AML1. We conclude that the TEL-AML1 fusion gene is found in adult ALL, though less commonly than in children.