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Characterization of the monocyte-specific esterase (MSE) gene
C C Uphoff1, Z B Hu, S M Gignac
1DSM German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Department of Human and Animal Cell Cultures, Braunschweig.
Leukemia
|September 1, 1994
Summary
Monocyte-specific esterase (MSE) is strongly associated with monocytic cells, showing high expression in monocytic leukemias. While not absolutely specific, its significantly lower expression in other cell types highlights its potential role in monocytic leukemia pathobiology.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Carboxylic esterases are prevalent in hematopoietic cells.
- Monocytes express a unique esterase isoenzyme, monocyte-specific esterase (MSE), identifiable by NaF inhibition in cytochemical staining.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of MSE protein and mRNA in normal hematopoietic cells and leukemia-lymphoma cell lines.
- To explore the regulation and potential role of MSE in monocytic versus lymphoid malignancies.
Main Methods:
- Isoelectric focusing (IEF) for MSE protein detection.
- Northern blotting and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for MSE mRNA analysis.
- Analysis of DNA methylation and biomodulator treatments.
Main Results:
- MSE was highly expressed in monocytic leukemia cell lines and primary cells, but largely absent in lymphoid leukemia/lymphoma cell lines.
- Normal monocytes were positive for MSE, while T cells, B cells, and granulocytes were negative.
- RT-PCR detected low-level MSE expression in some Northern-negative lymphoid cell lines, significantly weaker than in monocytic cells.
Conclusions:
- MSE expression is strongly associated with the monocytic lineage, though not absolutely specific.
- Overexpression in some monocytic leukemias occurs without genetic alterations like amplification or mutations.
- Further research is needed to understand MSE's regulation, function, and role in monocytic leukemia pathobiology.