Investigating the role of miR-139 and miR-582 in AML1-ETO associated leukemia

Introduction: The translocation t(8;21) (fusion protein AML1-ETO) can be found in 5–12% of all cases with AML. Here, we investigated the role of miRNA during the development of AML1-ETO associated leukemogenesis. Results: miR-139 und miR-582 are downregulated in patients with t(8;21). In gain of function studies, we observed a significant reduction of cell proliferation and colony-forming capacity in Kasumi-1 and SKNO-1 cells. MiR-582 overexpression lead to an enormous increase of apoptotic and dead cells and sensitized the cells against chemotherapeutic agents. The low basal expression of these miRNAs could be…