The E2A gene encodes DNA-binding transcription factors, called E12 and E47, involved in cell specification and maturation. E2A is also involved in a chromosomal translocation that leads to the expression of an oncogenic transcription factor called E2A-PBX1 in cases of acute leukemia. In the work described here, we elucidate the interaction between E2A-PBX1 and transcriptional co-activators. We confirm that the E2A portion can interact with CBP and PCAF and map required elements on E2A and CBP. On CBP, the interaction involves the KIX domain, a well characterized domain that mediates interactions with several other oncogenic transcription factors. On E2A, the interaction with CBP requires conserved ␣-helical domains that reside within activation domains 1 and 2 (AD1 and AD2, respectively). Using purified, recombinant proteins, we show that the E2A-CBP interaction is direct. Notwithstanding the previously demonstrated ability of AD1 and AD2 to function independently, some of our findings suggest functional cooperativity between these two domains. Finally, we show that the CBP/p300-interactive helical domains of E2A are important in the induction of proliferation in cultured primary bone marrow cells retrovirally transduced with E2A-PBX1. Our findings suggest that some aspects of E2A-PBX1 oncogenesis involve a direct interaction with the KIX domain of CBP/p300.

In roughly 5% of cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a chromosomal translocation leads to expression of the oncogenic protein E2A-PBX1. The N-terminal portion of E2A-PBX1, encoded by the E2A gene, is identical in sequence to the corresponding portion of the E proteins E12/E47 and includes transcriptional activation domains. The C terminus consists of most of the HOX interacting transcription factor PBX1, including its DNA-binding homeodomain. Structure-function correlative experiments have suggested that oncogenesis by E2A-PBX1 requires an activation domain, called AD1, at the extreme N terminus. We recently demonstrated that a potentially helical portion of AD1 interacts directly with the transcriptional coactivator protein cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CBP) and that this interaction is essential in the immortalization of primary bone marrow cells in tissue culture. Here we show that a conserved LXXLL motif within AD1 is required in the interaction between E2A-PBX1 and the KIX domain of CBP. We show by circular dichroism spectroscopy that the LXXLL-containing portion of AD1 undergoes a helical transition upon interacting with the KIX domain and that amino acid substitutions that prevent helix formation prevent both the KIX interaction and cell immortalization by E2A-PBX1. Perhaps most strikingly, substitution of a single, conserved leucine residue (L20) within the LXXLL motif impairs leukemia induction in mice after transplantation with E2A-PBX1-expressing bone marrow. The KIX domain of CBP mediates well-characterized interactions with several transcription factors of relevance to leukemia induction. Circumstantial evidence suggests that the side chain of L20 might interact with a deep hydrophobic pocket in the KIX domain. Therefore, our results serve to identify a potential new drug target.The neoplastic cells in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) frequently contain recurrent somatic chromosomal abnormalities that contribute to their abnormal accumulation and function. A reciprocal translocation between chromosome bands 1q23 and 19p13.3 is detectable by conventional cytogenetic techniques in roughly 5% of cases of ALL (10). Of that 5% of cases, in 90 to 95% the presence of t(1;19) leads to the fusion of portions of the E2A gene on chromosome 19 with portions of the PBX1 gene on chromosome 1 and to expression of chimeric transcription factors called E2A-PBX1a and E2A-PBX1b (these isoforms are generated by alternative splicing of the PBX1 portion of the premRNA) (20,30). Beyond the consistent association with leukemia, the idea of the oncogenic potential of E2A-PBX1 is supported by abundant experimental evidence (reviewed in reference 24). Therefore, it seems likely that elucidating the molecular mechanisms by which E2A-PBX1 contributes to abnormal cellular behavior may uncover novel avenues in the development of better therapies for cases of ALL.E2A-PBX1 incorporates a PBX1-derived homeodomain near its C terminus and, like wild-type PBX1 proteins, can bind to PBX1 recognition sequences in coop...

A modified ELISA, in which a biotinylated second antibody and a streptavidin-biotinylated peroxidase complex are used, has been developed to identify the blood meal sources of black flies. The modified assay is sensitive enough to identify correctly 100% of blood meals at 73 h postingestion and 80% of blood meals at 116 h postingestion in black flies held in the field at ambient temperatures.

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The oncogenic transcription factor E2a-Pbx1 is expressed in some cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia as a result of chromosomal translocation 1;19. The early observation that E2a-Pbx1 incorporates transcriptional activation domains from E2a and a DNA-binding homeodomain from Pbx1 inspired a model in which E2a-Pbx1 promotes leukemogenic transformation of lymphoid progenitor cells through transcriptional induction of target genes defined by the Pbx1 portion of the molecule. However, the subsequent demonstration that the only known DNA-binding module on the molecule, the Pbx1 homeodomain, is dispensable for the induction of lymphoblastic lymphoma in transgenic mice called into question the contribution made by the Pbx1 portion. In this study, we have used a domain swap approach coupled with a fibroblast-based focus formation assay to evaluate further the requirement for PBX1-encoded peptide elements in growth deregulation by E2a-Pbx1. No impairment of focus formation was observed when the entire Pbx1 portion was replaced with DNA-binding/ dimerization domains derived from yeast transcription factor GAL4 or GCN4. Furthermore, replacement of Pbx1 with tandem FKBP domains that mediate homodimerization in the presence of a synthetic ligand led to striking growth deregulation exclusively in the presence of the dimerizing agent. N-terminal elements encoded by E2A, including the AD1 transcriptional activation domain, were required for dimerization-induced focus formation. We conclude that transcriptional target genes defined by heterologous C-terminal DNA-binding modules are not required in growth deregulation by E2a fusion proteins. We speculate that interactions between N-terminal E2a elements and undefined proteins that could function as components of a transcriptional coactivator complex may be more important.

Using a radioreceptor assay and serum immunoglobulin (Ig) prepared by ammonium sulfate precipitation, significant TSH displacement activity (TDA) was demonstrated in 5 of 15 patients with subacute thyroiditis tested during the acute phase. Using a cAMP generation assay, adenyl cyclase stimulation by Ig from patients with subacute thyroiditis was not demonstrated. The nature of the TDA demonstrated in subacute thyroiditis was investigated to determine whether the factor measured was TSH receptor antibody, as is found in Graves' hyperthyroidism, or thyroglobulin, which is know to give false positive responses in the radioreceptor assay. When Ig was prepared by DEAE+-Sephadex chromatography, mean TSH displacement indices were similar to those given by ammonium sulfate-prepared Ig for both Graves' disease and subacute thyroiditis. On the other hand, when Ig was prepared by DEAE+-cellulose chromatography, which isolates highly purified IgG, mean indices were significantly less than for ammonium sulfate-prepared Ig for both Graves' hyperthyroidism and subacute thyroiditis. Thyroglobulin was not detected in Ig prepared by any of the 3 methods. Although high concentrations of crude thyroid-soluble fraction and purified thyroglobulin gave strongly positive responses in the radioreceptor assay, concentrations of thyroglobulin over the range found in the sera of patients with subacute thyroiditis could not be shown to give positive responses. Moreover, TSH displacement indices did not correlate with serum thyroglobulin levels. As determined by species cross-reactivity and dose-responses studies, the TDAs demonstrated in subacute thyroiditis and Graves' hyperthyroidism were similar. It was concluded that the TDA demonstrated in subacute thyroiditis represents antibody which binds to, but does not stimulate, the TSH receptor.

One possible mechanism for Graves' ophthalmopathy is that the progressive orbital inflammation is initiated by formation of thyroglobulin (Tg)-anti-Tg immune complexes at sites of Tg binding to extraocular muscle membranes. In this study monoclonal antibodies (MCAB) against human Tg were used as probes (1) to identify Tg in eye muscle membranes prepared from normal subjects and (2) to measure binding of human Tg and Tg-anti-Tg immune complexes to eye muscle membranes. Reactivity of anti-Tg MCAB with Tg, thyroid, and eye muscle membranes was determined by binding of [125I]anti-Tg monoclonal antibody, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the indirect immunofluorescence technique. Seven membrane fractions, prepared by differential sucrose gradient centrifugation, were used. Whereas [125I]anti-Tg MCAB bound to all thyroid membrane fractions tested, no [125I]anti-Tg bound to eye muscle membranes. Similarly, reactivity of anti-Tg MCAB with eye muscle membranes was not demonstrated in ELISA or immunofluorescence tests. Although Tg-anti-Tg immune complexes bound to thyroid membranes, such complexes did not bind to eye muscle membranes. Significant binding of [125I]human Tg to eye muscle or thyroid membranes was not demonstrated for any membrane preparation. On the other hand moderate, but significant, binding to skeletal muscle was shown. Similar results were found using an ELISA. Binding of [125I]anti-Tg-Tg complexes of [125I]Tg to thyroid and eye muscle membranes was not affected by the presence of normal human serum, phosphate ions, pH, or incubation temperature, conditions claimed by others to be critical for Tg and Tg-anti-Tg immune complex binding. Since Tg is not present in normal human eye muscle a major role of Tg, or Tg-anti-Tg immune complexes, in the pathogenesis of Graves' ophthalmopathy appears to have been excluded by these findings.

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