TRIB1 overexpression in acute myeloid leukemia

In this report, an AML patient with an additional ring chromosome 8 was investigated in detail. Fluorescence in situ hybridization showed high amplification of MYC on the additional ring chromosome and signals on both chromosome 8 homologues. In addition to the amplified segment from 8q24, no additional chromosomal aberration was found by array comparative genomic hybridization. Real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that MYC and TRIB1 (a gene also localized on 8q24, close to MYC) were clearly overexpressed when compared with healthy donors, acute myeloid leukemia patients without MYC amplification, chronic myeloid leukemia patients, and acute lymphatic leukemia patients. These results may indicate a key role of TRIB1 (and MYC) overexpression in the pathogenesis of a certain AML subtype.