The role of PAX5 fusion genes in the pathogenesis of B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL)

PAX5 is an important transcription factor which controls B-lymphocyte development and is a frequent target of somatic mutations in BCP-ALL. In 2–3% of the cases genetic rearrangements lead to the expression of chimeric fusion proteins which are thought to act as aberrant transcription factors that antagonize normal PAX5 function. The aim of our study is to elucidate potential functional commonalities and differences between the PAX5 fusion proteins PAX5-DACH1, PAX5-DACH2, PAX5-ETV6, PAX5-HIPK1, and PAX5-POM121. The preliminary results of Luciferase assays using PAX5 fusion expression vectors and PAX5 target sequ…