Pluto Bioinformatics

GSE58732: MEIS1-HLF axis regulates oxidative metabolism and is essential for MLL-fusion gene leukemia

Bulk RNA sequencing

The pathogenesis of MLL-fusion gene leukemias has been linked to upregulated expression of HOX genes and of the HOX-cofactor Meis1.The functions of the HOX/MEIS1 complex in leukemia however remain unclear. Here, we used inducible MEIS1-knockout mice coupled with MLL-AF9 knockin mice to decipher the role of MEIS1 in leukemia. We found that MEIS1 was critically required for established leukemia. Further, MEIS1 loss led to increased oxygen flux and apoptosis, while hypoxia reversed these effects. Finally, we identify HLF as a downstream mediator of MEIS1 in leukemia. Overexpression of HLF prevents oxygen flux and rescues the leukemia phenotype in MEIS1-deficient cells. Thus, the oncogenic effects of MEIS1 are at least partly mediated by an HLF-driven hypoxic state. SOURCE: Ashish Kumar (ashish.kumar@cchmc.org) - Dr. Ashish Kumar Lab Cincinnati Children's Hospital & Medical Center