Abstract

Loss of a whole chromosome 5 or deletion of 5q are recurring abnormalities in malignant myeloid neoplasms. Chromosomal loss or deletion are the hallmarks of tumour suppressor genes, suggesting that a gene(s) located on 5q may function as a leukaemia suppressor gene. To determine the location of genes on 5q that may be involved in myeloid leukaemogenesis, we examined the breakpoints of the del(5q) in a series of 117 patients with malignant myeloid diseases. By comparing the breakpoints, we identified a small segment of 5q, consisting of band 5q31, that was deleted in each patient. This segment has been termed the critical region. A striking number of genes encoding haematopoietic growth factors have been mapped within or adjacent to the critical region. These include the genes encoding CSF-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-9. By using fluorescence in situ hybridization, we have refined the localization of these genes to 5q31.1. To facilitate the identification of a tumour suppressor gene on 5q, we are currently preparing a physical map of 5q31. With FISH analysis of a series of cosmid and phage clones, we identified a number of clones within 5q31. By hybridizing these probes to metaphase cells with a del(5q) involving proximal or distal breakpoints within 5q31, we have narrowed the critical region to a small segment of 5q31 containing eight of the cosmids. In addition, we found that the five growth factor genes are excluded from this region. We have used dual colour FISH to determine the order of these cosmids, the order of the known genes mapped to 5q23-33 and the relationship of these genes to the critical region. To date, mutations of these genes in leukaemia cells have not been identified. The clinical features of myeloid diseases associated with a del(5q) are variable (RA 5q- syndrome v. AML); thus, once the involved gene is identified, it will be important to determine whether the same gene is involved in both types of myeloid disorders.