Radioimmune, radiobinding and HPLC analysis of 2-5A and related oligonucleotides from intact cells

The enzyme (2-5A synthetase) which synthesizes ppp(A2'p)nA where n=2 to 4 (collectively referred to as 2-5A) is widely distributed in a variety of cells and tissues in amounts which increase response to interferon and vary with growth and hormone status. 2-5A activates a nuclease which inhibits protein synthesis. The non-phosphorylated 'core' of 2-5A ((A2'p)nA, n=2 to 4) can inhibit DNA synthesis and cell growth. Here we describe convenient and sensitive radioimmune (RI) and radiobinding (RB) assays for core and 2-5A. In combination with more satisfactory high performance liquid chromatography (HPCL) methods using reverse-phase C18 columns, these assays have been used to detect core and 2-5A in crude extracts from interferon-treated cells. The novel 2-5A synthetase products NAD2'p5' A2'p5'A and A5'p45'A2'p5'A2'p5'A (ref. 13), which can also be detected using the RB assay, were not found in significant amounts. The natural occurrence of core has not been described previously.     

Deoxyribozymes: useful DNA catalysts in vitro and in vivo

Deoxyribozymes (DNA enzymes; DNAzymes) are catalytic DNA sequences. Using the technique of in vitro selection, individual deoxyribozymes have been identified that catalyze RNA cleavage, RNA ligation, and a growing range of other chemical reactions. DNA enzymes have been used in vitro for applications such as biochemical RNA manipulation and analytical assays for metal ions, small organic compounds, oligonucleotides, and proteins. Deoxyribozymes have also been utilized as in vivo therapeutic agents to destroy specific mRNA targets. Although many conceptual and practical challenges remain to be addressed, deoxyribozymes have substantial promise to contribute meaningfully for applications both in vitro and in vivo.     

MLL translocations specify a distinct gene expression profile that distinguishes a unique leukemia.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemias carrying a chromosomal translocation involving the mixed-lineage leukemia gene (MLL, ALL1, HRX) have a particularly poor prognosis. Here we show that they have a characteristic, highly distinct gene expression profile that is consistent with an early hematopoietic progenitor expressing select multilineage markers and individual HOX genes. Clustering algorithms reveal that lymphoblastic leukemias with MLL translocations can clearly be separated from conventional acute lymphoblastic and acute myelogenous leukemias. We propose that they constitute a distinct disease, denoted here as MLL, and show that the differences in gene expression are robust enough to classify leukemias correctly as MLL, acute lymphoblastic leukemia or acute myelogenous leukemia. Establishing that MLL is a unique entity is critical, as it mandates the examination of selectively expressed genes for urgently needed molecular targets.