[Oncogenesis of T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia]

The molecular characterization of the recurrent chromosomal translocations associated with T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia recently led to the identification of two putative oncogenes: TCL1 located on chromosome 14q32.1, and MTCP1 located on chromosome Xq28. These genes code for two homologous small cytoplasmic proteins lacking similarity with other known proteins. Uncovering the function of these proteins will be the next step toward an understanding of pathogenesis of the T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia.