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DNMT3A mutations in acute myeloid leukemia

Nature Genetics volume 43, pages 289–290 (2011)Cite this article

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New studies reveal that 20% of individuals with acute myeloid leukemia harbor somatic mutations in DNMT3A (encoding DNA methyltransferase 3A). Although these leukemias have some gene expression and DNA methylation changes, a direct link between mutant DNMT3A, epigenetic changes and pathogenesis remains to be established.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous malignancy that can be classified by morphological, cytogenetic and molecular genetic criteria. Molecular studies have pinpointed recurrent somatic mutations in CEBPA, NPM1, FLT3, TET2, IDH1 and IDH2 and fusion proteins such as PML-RARα and CBFB-MYH11, which characterize specific types of AML. Now, on page 309 of this issue, Zhu Chen, Sai-Juan Chen and colleagues identify recurrent somatic mutations in DNMT3A in AML1. Ley et al.2 and Yamashita et al.3 also recently identified DNMT3A mutations in AML.

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Figure 1: Model of DNMT3A activity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mrinal Y. Shah and Jonathan D. Licht are at the Division of Hematology and Oncology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Ilinois, USA.,

    Mrinal Y Shah & Jonathan D Licht

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  1. Mrinal Y Shah
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  2. Jonathan D Licht
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Correspondence to Jonathan D Licht.

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Shah, M., Licht, J. DNMT3A mutations in acute myeloid leukemia. Nat Genet 43, 289–290 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/ng0411-289

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