1. ¹Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
2. ²Department of Pathology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
3. ³Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
4. ⁴Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
5. ⁵Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
6. ⁶Tennessee Valley VA Healthcare System, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
7. ⁷Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA

Correspondence: Professor SW Hiebert, Department of Biochemistry, 512 Preston Research Building, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 23rd and Pierce Ave, Nashville, TN 37232, USA. E-mail: scott.hiebert@vanderbilt.edu

Received 22 November 2005; Revised 27 April 2006; Accepted 10 May 2006; Published online 26 June 2006.

Abstract

The t(8;21) chromosomal translocation that generates the fusion oncoprotein RUNX1-ETO predominates in leukemia patients of the French-American-British (FAB) class M2 subtype. The oncoprotein has the capacity to promote expansion of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells and induces leukemia in association with other genetic alterations. Here, we show that RUNX1-ETO undergoes degradation in response to treatment with histone deacetylase inhibitors, one of which, depsipeptide (DEP), is currently undergoing phase II clinical testing in a variety of malignancies. These compounds induce turnover of RUNX1-ETO without affecting the stability of RUNX1-ETO partner proteins. In addition, RUNX1-ETO physically interacts with heat shock protein 90 (HSP90). DEP treatment interrupts the association of RUNX1-ETO with HSP90 and induces proteasomal degradation of RUNX1-ETO. DEP and the HSP90 antagonist 17-allylamino-geldanamycin (17-AAG) both triggered RUNX1-ETO degradation, but without any additive or cooperative effects. These findings may stimulate the development of more rational and effective approaches for treating t(8;21) patients using histone deacetylase inhibitors or HSP90 inhibitors.