Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 21, 2026
Describing a Transcription Factor Dependent Regulation of the MicroRNA Transcriptome
Published on: June 15, 2016
mRNA expression of MAGE-A3 gene in leukemia cells
A Martínez1, I Olarte, M A Mergold
1Laboratorio de Biología Molecular, Servicio de Hematología, Hospital General de México, Dr. Balmis 148, Col. Doctores, 06726 México City D.F., Mexico.
Abstract:
Leukemia-associated antigens such as proteins encoded by MAGE genes might provide tools for immunotherapy of leukemia. Positive and negative results of MAGE-A gene expression in hematological malignancies have been reported. This led us to study MAGE-A gene expression in human leukemias using RT-PCR. Among 115 leukemias from various subtypes, 14/34 (41.17%) AML were positive for one of the three genes analyzed (MAGE-A1 1/32; MAGE-A3 10/32; MAGE-B2 3/12). Expression was also detected in 23/76 (30.26%) B-cell ALL patients (MAGE-A1 2/53; MAGE-A3 20/53; MAGE-B2 1/32). One of these patients expressed both MAGE-A1 (weak signal) and -A3 (strong signal) genes. Other patient with CML were positive for MAGE-B2 (1/5, 20%). MAGE-A3 expression data were corroborated by real time RT-PCR through determination of MAGE-A3 transcript levels. We concluded that the MAGE-A3 gene is expressed at the mRNA level in a proportion of human leukemias.
Insights
MAGE-A gene expression was investigated in human leukemias. The MAGE-A3 gene was found to be expressed at the mRNA level in a significant proportion of acute myeloid leukemia and B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunotherapy
Background:
- Leukemia-associated antigens, such as MAGE gene products, are potential targets for leukemia immunotherapy.
- Previous studies have reported variable MAGE-A gene expression in hematological malignancies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of MAGE-A genes in various subtypes of human leukemia.
- To determine the prevalence of MAGE-A1, MAGE-A3, and MAGE-B2 gene expression in leukemia patients.
Main Methods:
- Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to analyze MAGE-A gene expression.
- Real-time RT-PCR was employed to quantify MAGE-A3 transcript levels for validation.
Main Results:
- MAGE-A gene expression was detected in 41.17% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and 30.26% of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients.
- MAGE-A3 expression was observed in 10/32 AML and 20/53 B-cell ALL patients.
- MAGE-B2 expression was found in 20% of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients.
Conclusions:
- The MAGE-A3 gene is expressed at the mRNA level in a subset of human leukemias.
- These findings suggest that MAGE-A genes, particularly MAGE-A3, could be potential targets for developing novel immunotherapies for leukemia.
