We are studying the transcriptional deregulation of several oncogenes in human hematologic malignancies.

Activation of c-myc in Burkitt's lymphoma: We are examining the transcriptional deregulation of the translocated c-myc gene and the silencing of the normal c-myc gene in Burkitt's lymphoma. We are looking at the c-myc promoter and regions of the immunoglobulin locus that are responsible for the deregulation of the translocated c-myc gene. Several model systems have been designed.

Activation of bcl-2 in hematologic malignancies: In lymphomas with the t(14;18) translocation, the bcl-2 gene is translocated to the immunoglobulin locus and expressed at high levels. We are studying the mechanism of activation at a molecular level in human lymphoma tissue. We have also developed a model system to determine which region of the immunoglobulin locus is responsible for the activation of the translocated bcl-2 gene.

Expression profiling in ALL: We are examining gene expression profiles in acute lymphoblastic leukemia in response to chemotherapeutic agents.

• Hu HM, Kanda K, Zhang L, Boxer LM "Activation of the c-myc p1 promoter in Burkitt's lymphoma by the hs3 immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene enhancer." Leukemia 2007; More
• Xiang H, Wang J, Boxer LM "The Role of the cAMP-Response Element in the Bcl-2 Promoter in the Regulation of Endogenous Bcl-2 Expression and Apoptosis in Murine B Cells." Mol Cell Biol 2006; More
• Kobayashi S, Lackey T, Huang Y, Bisping E, Pu WT, Boxer LM, Liang Q "Transcription factor gata4 regulates cardiac BCL2 gene expression in vitro and in vivo." FASEB J 2006; 20: 6: 800-2 More
• Duan H, Heckman CA, Boxer LM "The immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene 3' enhancers deregulate bcl-2 promoter usage in t(14;18) lymphoma cells." Oncogene 2006; More
• Duan H, Heckman CA, Boxer LM "Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors Down-Regulate bcl-2 Expression and Induce Apoptosis in t(14;18) Lymphomas." Mol Cell Biol 2005; 25: 5: 1608-19 More