[Roles of CEBPA mutation and expression abnormality in acute myeloid leukemia - review]

CCAAT enhancer binding protein A (CEBPA) and its product transcription factor CCAAT enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα) play pivotal roles in early granulocyte development. C/EBPα induces the transition and keeps the balance of differentiation and proliferation of myeloid progenitors. The mutation and dysregulation of CEBPA at transcription, translation or post-translation level lead to differentiation block and over proliferation of immature hematopoietic cells, which are important mechanisms of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The mutation and dysregulation of CEBPA also provide clues for evaluating the outcome of AML patients and potential targets for differentiation-inducing therapies. This review focus on CEBPA mutation and AML, dysregulation of C/EBPα protein expression and AML, as well as C/EBPα protein and targeting therapy.