The oncogene and developmental regulator EVI1: Expression, biochemical properties, and biological functions

The EVI1 gene codes for a zinc finger transcription factor with important roles both in normal development and in leukemogenesis. Transcriptional activation of this gene through chromosome rearrangements or other, yet to be identified mechanisms leads to particularly aggressive forms of human myeloid leukemia. In vitro as well as in animal model systems, EVI1 affected cellular proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis in cell type specific ways. Retroviral integrations into the EVI1 locus provided cells with increased abilities to engraft, survive, and proliferate in bone marrow transplantation experiments. Experimental overexpression of EVI1 by itself was insufficient to cause leukemia in animal model systems, but it cooperated with other genes in this process. This review summarizes the currently available experimental evidence for the proposed biochemical and biological functions of this important oncogene.