The human AF4 and AF4·MLL multiprotein complexes provide functions in transcription and epigenetic processes

The most frequent MLL translocation is the chromosomal translocation t(4;11)(q21;q23) that is predominantly associated with a high-risk ALL disease phenotype in infant, childhood and adult leukemia patients. Previous investigations have revealed oncogenic properties of overexpressed AF4 and AF4·MLL in mammalian cells, while the AF4·MLL fusion protein was capable to initiate and maintain leukemogenic transformation when expressed in murine hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. To gain insight into the biology, both human multiprotein complexes were purified and their constituents were analyzed by biochemical metho…