Gene Expression During Normal And Malignant Differentiation

Transcription Factors Normal and Malignant Development of Blood Cells Katya Ravid and Jonathan Licht The role of transcription factors in activating specific genes in blood cells is an important facet of hematopoiesis. Equally important, however, is the pursuit of genes rearranged and aberrantly activated in leukemias (blood malignancies). Transcription Factors: Normal and Malignant Development of Blood Cells focuses on those major transcription factors involved in activation of lineage-specific gene expression during normal versus malignant development of specific blood lineages, as revealed from gene promoter studies, knockout of transcription factors in mice models, and the identification and characterization of chromosomal rearrangement in human blood leukemias. This complete digest of current transcription factor data offers comprehensive coverage of the myriad of transcription factors in blood cell development, composed by established experts in the field. In addition to updating the reader on the connection between chromosomal translocations involving transcription factors and cellular transformation leading to leukemia, Transcription Factors also reviews such subjects as: * Transcription factors and the megakaryocytic, myeloid, and erythroid lineages * Leukemias due to chromosomal translocations involving gene encoding transcription factors * Oncogenesis and hematopoiesis * In vivo studies of transcription factors implicated in hematopoiesis * And much more Appealing to both the researcher and the clinician in the field of hematology, Transcription Factors is a timely presentation of cell lineage development and sheds light on the processes involved in the development of specific leukemias. Providing insight into the study of transcription factors, readers will gain an understanding of mechanisms that lead to normal lineage commitment and terminal differentiation.

Significant recent advances in cell culture technology now permit a detailed biochemical and molecular analysis of differentiation in both normal and tumor cells. These studies are important in attempting to understand the complex factors involved in normal growth and development, as well as the abnormalities associated with carcinogenesis. Mechanisms of Differentiation, Volumes I and II, is comprised of review chapters addressing various topics of current interest in this important area of research. Topics discussed include genes controlling differentiation, changes in gene expression during differentiation, induction of differentiation, induction of differentiation as a mode of action of chemotherapeutic agents, and the effect of cell shape, growth factors and differentiation modulating agents on the differentiated cell phenotype. Mechanisms of Differentiation is valuable to researchers involved in differentiation and development, carcinogenesis, cell biology, chemotherapy, and immunology.

Many inheritable changes in gene function are not explained by changes in the DNA sequence. Such epigenetic mechanisms are known to influence gene function in most complex organisms and include effects such as transposon function, chromosome imprinting, yeast mating type switching and telomeric silencing. In recent years, epigenetic effects have become a major focus of research activity. This monograph, edited by three well-known biologists from different specialties, is the first to review and synthesize what is known about these effects across all species, particularly from a molecular perspective, and will be of interest to everyone in the fields of molecular biology and genetics.

This volume is based on the proceedings of a NATO-Gulbenkian Foundation sponsored Summer School held in May-June 1982 in Sintra Estoril, Portugal. Given the accelerated growth of knowledge in the field of eukaryotic gene expression, it seemed timely to hold a NATO Advanced Study Institute to discuss current developments in this area of biology and to evaluate the potential of emerging technologies such as gene transfer, recombinant DNA cloning and quantitative high resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The initial articles in t~is volume describe various differentiation models and address questions such as the relationships between differentiation and cell proliferation, biochemical changes accompanying differen tiation, expression of differentiated gene products and their regulation as well as gene organization of cytoskeletal proteins. The second section describes properties of neoplastic cells, surveys current assays for transformation and offers some new insights into the mechanisms involved in carcinogenesis. The third part is dedicated to viral oncogenesis and to the role of onco genes in cell transformation. Particular emphasis is given to the role of tyrosine kinases in cell transformation. The concluding section deals with various aspects of gene expression in normal and transformed cells with special emphasis given to studies using two dimensional gel electrophoresis, cell hybridization, gene transfer and immunological techniques.