Suppression of B-cell lymphomagenesis by the BH3-only proteins Bmf and Bad

Blood. 2010 Feb 4;115(5):995-1005. doi: 10.1182/blood-2009-03-212670. Epub 2009 Dec 3.

Abstract

Oncogenic c-Myc is known to balance excessive proliferation by apoptosis that can be triggered by p53-dependent and p53-independent signaling networks. Here, we provide evidence that the BH3-only proapoptotic Bcl-2 family members Bcl-2 modifying factor (Bmf) and Bcl-2 antagonist of cell death (Bad) are potent antagonists of c-Myc-driven B-cell lymphomagenesis. Tumor formation was preceded by the accumulation of preneoplastic pre-B and immature immunoglobulin M-positive (IgM(+)) B cells in hematopoietic organs of Emu-myc/bmf(-/-) mice, whereas Emu-myc/bad(-/-) mice showed an increase of pre-B cells limited to the spleen. Although the loss of Bad had no impact on the tumor immunophenotype, Bmf deficiency favored the development of IgM(+) B cell over pre-B cell tumors. This phenomenon was caused by a strong protection of immature IgM(+) B cells from oncogene-driven apoptosis caused by loss of bmf and c-Myc-induced repression of Bmf expression in premalignant pre-B cells. Steady-state levels of B-cell apoptosis also were reduced in the absence of Bad, in support of its role as a sentinel for trophic factor-deprivation. Loss of Bmf reduced the pressure to inactivate p53, whereas Bad deficiency did not, identifying Bmf as a novel component of the p53-independent tumor suppressor pathway triggered by c-Myc.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • B-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Blotting, Western
  • Female
  • Lymphoma / genetics
  • Lymphoma / metabolism*
  • Lymphoma / pathology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Precancerous Conditions / genetics
  • Precancerous Conditions / metabolism
  • Precancerous Conditions / pathology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / metabolism
  • Spleen / metabolism
  • Spleen / pathology
  • Survival Analysis
  • Time Factors
  • Tumor Burden
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism
  • bcl-Associated Death Protein / genetics
  • bcl-Associated Death Protein / metabolism*

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Bad protein, mouse
  • Bmf protein, mouse
  • Myc protein, mouse
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • bcl-Associated Death Protein