Tanja A. Gruber, MD, PhD

Defining the role of the inv(16)-encoded CBFA2T3-GLIS2 chimeric transcription factor in the pathogenesis of pediatric acute megakaryoblastic leukemia

We have identified a mutation that fuses two genes together resulting in an aberrant protein, CBFA2T3-GLIS2, in ~1/3 of pediatric acute megakaryoblastic leukemia patients. We have demonstrated that this protein enhances the cell’s ability to self-renew. Our research is focused on determining how CBFA2T3-GLIS2 causes the cell to acquire this trait.