An activating mutation in the murine erythropoietin receptor induces erythroleukemia in mice: A cytokine receptor superfamily oncogene

Gregory D. Longmore, Harvey F. Lodish

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

132 Scopus citations

Abstract

A point mutation at codon 129 of the murine erythropoietin receptor (cEpoR) results in constitutive activation. We have generated a recombinant spleen focus-forming retrovirus in which the env gene is replaced by the cEpoR cDNA. Mice infected with this virus (but not by viruses expressing the wild-type EpoR) develop erythrocytosis and splenomegaly. From the spleen of infected animals we have isolated clonal, growth factor-independent, proerythroblast cell lines that express cEpoR, do not express the putative oncogene spi-1, and have rearranged and inactivated expression of the p53 suppressor oncogene. These cells induce erythroleukemia upon injection into mice. This demonstrates that oncogenic point mutations exist in a member of the cytokine receptor superfamily. The activated erythropoietin receptor does not transform cultured fibroblasts, suggesting why oncogenic mutations in other members of this receptor superfamily have not been detected.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1089-1102
Number of pages14
JournalCell
Volume67
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 20 1991

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