# Patent

## Title
Site-specific transfection of eukaryotic cells using polypeptide-linked

## Abstract

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 07/675,084, filed Mar. 22, 1991 abandoned and U.S. Ser. No. 07/673,838, filed Mar. 22, 1991, abandoned, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

## Background
Throughout this application, various publications are referenced by Arabic numerals within parentheses. Full citations for these references may be found at the end of the specification immediately preceding the claims. The disclosures of these publications in their entirety are hereby incorporated by reference into this application in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) comprises approximately 15% of the adult acute non-lymphoblastic leukemias (1). The disease is associated with a specific cytogenetic abnormality, the translocation of a portion of the long arm of chromosome 17 onto the long arm of chromosome 15t(15;17)(q21;q11-22)! (2). Recently, several important discoveries have been made in this disease. The breakpoint region for the chromosome 17 translocation has been cloned (3) and molecular studies have revealed DNA rearrangements that clustered in the region of the first intron for the nuclear retinoic acid receptor-alpha (RAR-.alpha.)(4,5). The inventors and others have shown that this rearrangement resulted in the expression of abnormal mRNA RAR-.alpha. transcripts (6-8). These findings were of special interest since RAR-.alpha. was previously shown to be involved in the growth and differentiation of certain myeloid cells in vitro (9).

Prior to these laboratory developments, investigators in China and France reported that treatment with all-trans retinoic acid induced complete remission in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (10,11). Together, these findings suggested to the inventors a possible molecular link between the pathogenesis of this malignant disease and its treatment.

To further explore the nature of this clinical response, a study was conducted using all-trans retinoic acid in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (26,35). In that study, the inventors confirmed that a high proportion of patients treated with all-trans retinoic acid achieved complete remission, and that this beneficial effect was achieved with quite low morbidity. The inventors also found that patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia who responded to this drug consistently expressed abnormal mRNA transcripts for RAR-.alpha., suggesting that this rearranged receptor was a molecular target of the treatment. For the first time, it was shown that expression of the abnormal message markedly decreased following clinical response. However, aberrant mRNA transcripts could still be detected in some patients after remission had been documented by conventional morphologic and cytogenetic criteria.

The inventors have thus shown that this abnormality is a sensitive and specific diagnostic marker for patients with APL who will respond to this non-toxic therapy. Conversely, patients with APL who lack this marker can be prospectively identified such that alternative treatment can be used. Finally, the inventors have documented the presence of aberrant RAR-.alpha. receptor in malignant diseases other than APL, thereby identifying a substantial number of patients who could benefit from preventive or therapeutic use of a retinoid compound.

The present invention provides a method of diagnosing APL in a subject which comprises detecting in a sample from the subject either nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor or an expressed protein encoded thereby.

The present invention also provides a method of identifying a subject with APL who will respond to treatment with a retinoid which comprises detecting in a sample from the subject either nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor or an expressed protein encoded thereby.

The present invention also provides a method of identifying a subject with APL who will not respond to treatment with a retinoid which comprises detecting in a sample from the subject the absence of nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor or an expressed protein encoded thereby.

The present invention further provides a method of identifying a subject with APL who does not express a detectable t(15;17) translocation but will respond to treatment with a retinoid which comprises detecting in a sample from the subject either nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor or an expressed protein encoded thereby.

The present invention even further provides a method of identifying a subject with APL who does not express a detectable t(15;17) translocation and will not respond to treatment with a retinoid which comprises detecting in a sample from the subject the absence of nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor or an expressed protein encoded thereby.

In addition, the present invention provides a method for monitoring the level of disease activity in a subject who has received treatment for APL which comprises monitoring the level of nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor or an expressed protein encoded thereby at various stages of treatment.

The present invention also provides a method for monitoring the progress and adequacy of treatment in a subject who has received treatment for APL which comprises monitoring the level of nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor or an expressed protein encoded thereby at various stages of treatment.

The present invention provides a method of identifying a subject with a neoplastic condition other than APL who will respond to treatment with a retinoid which comprises detecting in a sample from the subject either nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR.alpha. receptor or an expressed protein encoded thereby.

The present invention also provides a method of identifying a subject with a neoplastic condition other than APL who will not respond to treatment with a retinoid which comprises detecting in a sample from the subject the absence of nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor or an expressed protein encoded thereby.

The present invention further provides a method for monitoring the level of disease activity in a subject who has received treatment for a neoplastic condition which comprises monitoring the level of nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor or an expressed protein encoded thereby at various stages of treatment.

The present invention still further provides a method for monitoring the progress and adequacy of treatment in a subject who has received treatment for a neoplastic condition which comprises monitoring the level of nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor or an expressed protein encoded thereby at various stages of treatment.

Lastly, the present invention provides a method of inhibiting the growth of a neoplastic cell wherein the cell is characterized by the presence of an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor which comprises contacting an antibody which specifically recognizes an expressed protein encoding an RAR-.alpha. receptor conjugated to a therapeutic agent under suitable conditions so that an antibody-antigen complex is formed, thereby inhibiting the growth of the neoplastic cell.

FIGS. 1A and 1B: A) Northern blot analysis for RAR-.alpha. mRNA expression in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia. Two patterns of aberrant expression are depicted. The arrows depict the position of the normal RAR-.alpha. mRNA species. Lane 1 represents total cellular RNA purified from bone marrow mononuclear cells of patient 2 and demonstrates two novel RAR-.alpha. bands. Lane 2 from Patient 3 contains a single aberrant band. B) Sequential Northern analyses of RAR-.alpha. mRNA in leukemic cells from Patient 7. Expression of the abnormal species decreases from treatment day 7 (Lane 1) to the time of complete remission on day 46 (Lane 2) after treatment with all-trans retinoic acid. The relative signal intensity of the abnormal species decreases compared to the two normal bands.

FIG. 2: Southern blot analysis for RAR-.alpha. genomic rearrangements in acute promyelocytic leukemia. Indicated lanes represent DNA extracted from human placenta as a control (Lane 1), HL-60 cells (Lane 2), Patient 7 (Lane 3), Patient 6 (Lane 4), and Patient 9 (Lane 5). The arrow in Lane 3 depicts the presence of an RAR-.alpha. rearrangement.

FIG. 3: Northern blot analysis for RAR-.alpha. mRNA expression taken from a patient with cancer of the lung. Arrows indicate the position of aberrant expression of the RAR-.alpha. mRNA within the tumor (T) of a patient with lung cancer. N refers to this patient's normal lung which has the normal size RAR-.alpha. mRNA species.

FIGS. 4A-4G: Nucleic acid sequence and deduced amino acid sequence of a myl/RAR.alpha. fusion product SEQ ID NO: 1. The sequences on which specific PCR primers were based are underlined (e.g., between nucleotides 715-744, 975-1001, and 1382-1413, inclusive).

FIG. 5: Photograph of an ethidium bromide-stained gel. The hollow arrow designates amplified product indicative of translocation between chromosome 15 and chromosome 17, while the solid arrow designates unreacted PCR primer.

The present invention provides a method of diagnosing APL in a subject which comprises detecting in a sample from the subject either nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor or an expressed protein encoded thereby.

The term "subject" includes, but is not limited to, animals and human beings. The term "sample" includes, but is not limited to, cells tissue, bone marrow, and biological fluid serum such as plasma and cerebral spinal fluid. The sample is removed from the subject by techniques clearly known to those skilled in the art.

In one embodiment of the present invention, nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor is detected by size fractionation. The size fractionation may be effected by a polyacrylamide gel, agarose gel, or any other type of polymerized gel.

In another embodiment, the detection of nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor comprises contacting the nucleic acid from the sample with an RAR-.alpha. probe labeled with a detectable marker under conditions permitting the RAR-.alpha. probe to hybridize with nucleic acid encoding the abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor, detecting hybridization of nucleic acid encoding the abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor with the probe, and thereby detecting the presence of nucleic acid encoding the abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor.

The nucleic acid from the sample may be isolated by techniques clearly known to those skilled in the art and includes, but is not limited to, DNA extraction and ethanol precipitation (69). The nucleic acid my be DNA or RNA and depending on which one, one skilled in the art would know how to carry out the hybridization. The detectable marker includes but is not limited to the following markers: a radiolabelled molecule, a fluorescent molecule, an enzyme or a ligand.

In yet another embodiment, the detection of nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor comprises contacting nucleic acid from the sample with one or more primers comprising a portion of the t(15;17) translocation under conditions for polymerase chain reaction so as to amplify nucleic acid encoding the abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor, detecting amplified nucleic acid encoding the abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor, and thereby detecting nucleic acid encoding the abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor.

The polymerase chain reaction is performed by techniques clearly known by those skilled in the art (61-64, 69).

The amplified nucleic acid encoding the abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor may be detected by size fractionation. The size fractionated material can then be assayed for the presence of sequences having appropriate size based on the distance between the primers employed for amplification. The size fractionation may be effected by a polyacrylamide gel, agarose gel, or any other type of polymerized gel.

The amplified nucleic acid encoding the abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor may also be detected by contacting the amplified nucleic acid encoding the abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor with an RAR-.alpha. probe labeled with a detectable marker under conditions permitting the RAR-.alpha. probe to hybridize with amplified nucleic acid encoding the abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor, detecting hybridization of amplified nucleic acid encoding the abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor with the probe, and thereby detecting nucleic acid encoding the abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor.

The detectable marker may be but is not limited to the following markers: a radiolabelled molecule, a fluorescent molecule, an enzyme, or a ligand.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the expressed protein is detected by Western blotting. In another embodiment, the expressed protein is detected by immunoprecipitation.

The present invention also provides a method of identifying a subject with APL who will respond to treatment with a retinoid which comprises detecting in a sample from the subject either nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor or an expressed protein encoded thereby. Preferably, the retinoid is trans-retinoic acid.

The means for detection of nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor or an expressed protein encoded thereby are the same as described previously.

The present invention also provides a method of identifying a subject with APL who will not respond to treatment with a retinoid which comprises detecting in a sample from the subject the absence of nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor or an expressed protein encoded thereby. One example of a retinoid is all-trans-retinoic acid. However, any retinoid may be used for treatment.

The term "subject" includes, but is not limited to, animals and human beings. The term "sample" includes, but is not limited to, cells, tissue, bone marrow, and biological fluid serum such as plasma and cerebral spinal fluid. The sample is removed from the subject by techniques clearly known to those skilled in the art.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the absence of nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor is detected by size fractionation. The size fractionation may be effected by a polyacrylamide gel, agarose gel, or any other type of polymerized gel.

In another embodiment, the detection of the absence of nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor comprises contacting nucleic acid from the sample with an RAR-.alpha. probe labeled with a detectable marker under conditions permitting the RAR-.alpha. probe to hybridize with nucleic acid encoding the abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor, detecting the absence of hybridization of nucleic acid encoding the abnormal receptor with the probe, and thereby detecting the absence of nucleic acid encoding the abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor.

The polymerase chain reaction is performed by techniques clearly known by those skilled in the art (61-64).

The nucleic acid from the sample may be isolated by techniques clearly known to those skilled in the art and includes, but is not limited to, DNA extraction and ethanol precipitation (69). The nucleic acid may be DNA or RNA and depending on which one, one skilled in the art would know how to carry out the hybridization. The detectable marker includes but is not limited to the following markers: a radiolabelled molecule, a fluorescent molecule, an enzyme or a ligand.

In yet another embodiment, the detection of nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor comprises contacting nucleic acid from the sample with one or more primers comprising a portion of the t(15;17) translocation under conditions for polymerase chain reaction so as to permit amplification of nucleic acid encoding the abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor, detecting the absence of amplified nucleic acid encoding the abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor, and thereby detecting the absence of nucleic acid encoding the abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor.

The expressed protein is isolated from the sample using techniques clearly known to those skilled in the art. In one embodiment of the present invention, the absence of the expressed protein is detected by Western blotting. In another embodiment, the absence of the expressed protein is detected by immunoprecipitation.

In the preferred embodiment, the polymerase chain reaction is effected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the absence of the expressed protein is detected by Western blotting. In another embodiment, the absence of the expressed protein is detected by immunoprecipitation.

The present invention also provides a method of identifying a subject with APL who does not express a detectable t(15;17) translocation but will respond to treatment with a retinoid which comprises detecting in a sample from the subject either nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor or an expressed protein encoded thereby.

A subject with APL who does not express a detectable t(15;17) translocation as stated hereinabove and the following paragraphs means that the t(15;17) translocation is not detectable by conventional cytogenetics.

The methods for detection of nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor or an expressed protein encoded thereby are the same as described previously.

The present invention also provides a method of identifying a subject with APL who does not express a detectable t(15;17) translocation and will not respond to treatment with a retinoid which comprises detecting in a sample from the subject the absence of nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor or an expressed protein encoded thereby.

The means for detection of the absence of nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor or an expressed protein encoded thereby are the same as described previously.

The present invention further provides a method for monitoring the level of disease activity in a subject who has received treatment for APL which comprises monitoring the level of nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor or an expressed protein encoded thereby at various stages of treatment.

The level of nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor may be monitored using techniques for detection of RAR-.alpha. as described previously. Preferably, the level of nucleic acid may be monitored using Northern blot analysis by comparing and quantitating the relevant contributions of both the normal and aberrant responses. Alternatively, competitive PCR may be used to quantitate the levels of nucleic acid (62).

The present invention still further provides a method for monitoring the progress and adequacy of treatment in a subject who has received treatment for APL which comprises monitoring the level of nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor or an expressed protein encoded thereby at various stages of treatment.

The level of nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor may be monitored using techniques for detection and monitoring of RAR-.alpha. as described previously.

In addition, the present invention provides a method of identifying a subject with a neoplastic condition other than APL who will respond to treatment with a retinoid which comprises detecting in a sample from the subject either nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor or an expressed protein encoded thereby.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the neoplastic condition is lung cancer. In another embodiment, the neoplastic condition is breast cancer. One example of a retinoid is all-trans-retinoic acid. However, any retinoid may be used for treatment. The means for detection of nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor or an expressed protein encoded thereby are the same as described previously.

The present invention also provides a method of identifying a subject with a neoplastic condition other than APL who will not respond to treatment with a retinoid which comprises detecting in a sample from the subject the absence of nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor or an expressed protein encoded thereby.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the neoplastic condition is lung cancer. In another embodiment, the neoplastic condition is breast cancer. One example of a retinoid is all-trans-retinoic acid. However, any retinoid may be used for treatment. The means for detection of nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor or an expressed protein encoded thereby are the same as described previously.

The present invention also provides a method for monitoring the level of disease activity in a subject who has received treatment for a neoplastic condition which comprises monitoring the level of nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor or an expressed protein encoded thereby at various stages of treatment.

The level of nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor may be monitored using techniques for detection and monitoring of RAR-.alpha. as described previously.

The present invention further provides a method for monitoring the progress and adequacy of treatment in a subject who has received treatment for a neoplastic condition which comprises monitoring the level of nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor or an expressed protein encoded thereby at various stages of treatment.

The level of nucleic acid encoding an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor may be monitored using techniques for detection and monitoring of RAR-.alpha. as described previously.

Lastly, the present invention further provides a method of inhibiting the growth of a neoplastic cell wherein the cell is characterized by the presence of an abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor which comprises contacting an antibody which specifically recognizes an expressed protein encoding an RAR-.alpha. receptor conjugated to a therapeutic agent under suitable conditions so that an antibody-antigen complex is formed, thereby inhibiting the growth of the neoplastic cell.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the neoplastic condition is lung cancer. In another embodiment, the neoplastic condition is breast cancer. The antibody may be polyclonal or monoclonal and derived from murine cells as well as human cells. Preferably, the antibody is derived from human cells. Therapeutic agents include, but are not limited to, a therapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of radioisotopes, cytotoxic compounds, toxins, bacterial toxins, toxoids, and chemotherapeutic agents.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for the detection of translocation between-chromosomes 15 and 17, wherein the occurrence of said translocation in a subject is indicative of acute promyelocytic leukemia, said method comprising contacting single-stranded nucleic acid sequences derived from said subject with at least one combination of primers selected from: contiguous nucleotide bases selected from a portion of the myl-RAR.alpha. fusion mRNA, wherein said portion is upstream (5') of the point at which the myl-RAR.alpha. fusion occurs, and at least one anti-sense primer, wherein anti-sense primer comprises at least 15 contiguous nucleotide bases selected from a portion of the myl-RAR.alpha. fusion mRNA, wherein said portion is downstream (3') of the point at which the myl-RAR.alpha. fusion occurs; or contiguous nucleotide bases selected from a portion of the RAR.alpha.-myl fusion mRNA, wherein said portion is upstream (5') of the point at which the RAR.alpha.-myl fusion occurs, and at least one anti-sense primer, wherein anti-sense primer comprises at least 15 contiguous nucleotide bases selected from a portion of the RAR.alpha.-myl fusion mRNA, wherein said portion is downstream (3') of the point at which the RAR.alpha.-myl fusion occurs; wherein said contacting is carried out under nucleic acid amplification conditions; and thereafter monitoring for the formation of amplified sequences.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a composition comprising at least one combination of nucleic acid sequences selected from: contiguous nucleotide bases selected from a portion of the myl-RAR.alpha. fusion mRNA, wherein said portion is upstream (5') of the point at which the myl-RAR.alpha. fusion occurs, and at least one anti-sense primer, wherein anti-sense primer comprises at least 15 contiguous nucleotide bases selected from a portion of the myl-RAR.alpha. fusion mRNA, wherein said portion is downstream (3') of the point at which the myl-RAR.alpha. fusion occurs; or contiguous nucleotide bases selected from a portion of the RAR.alpha.-myl fusion mRNA, wherein said portion is upstream (5') of the point at which the RAR.alpha.-myl fusion occurs, and at least one anti-sense primer, wherein anti-sense primer comprises at least 15 contiguous nucleotide bases selected from a portion of the RAR.alpha.-myl fusion mRNA, wherein said portion is downstream (3') of the point at which the RAR.alpha.-myl fusion occurs.

Primers contemplated for use in the practice of the present invention are generally employed in pairs. Thus, there will be employed at least one sense primer from a portion of the myl gene upstream of the point at which translocation between chromosomes 15 and 17 occurs, and at least one anti-sense primer from a portion of the retinoic acid receptor-.alpha. (RAR.alpha.) gene downstream of the point at which translocation occurs. Alternatively (or as a confirmatory pair of primers once amplification has been carried out with the above-described pair of primers), there can be employed at least one sense primer from a portion of the RAR.alpha. gene upstream of the point at which translocation between chromosomes 15 and 17 occurs, and at least one anti-sense primer from a portion of the myl gene downstream of the point at which translocation between chromosomes 15 and 17 occurs.

As further confirmation of the diagnosis obtained by the invention assay method, various combinations of primers can be employed. Thus, for example, a plurality of sense primers, all derived from a portion of the myl gene upstream of the point at which translocation occurs, will produce, upon amplification, a series of amplified fragments of varying lengths, depending on the distance between the various sense primers employed and the anti-sense primer. If the number of amplified fragments obtained is less than the number of sense primers employed, this would indicate that the 15, 17 translocation occurred at a different point relative to previously analyzed sample. Alternatively, the observation of fewer amplified fragments may indicate that the originally observed amplification products are derived from regions other than the region of interest.

Sense primers contemplated for use in the practice of the present invention include any sequence of at least 15 contiguous nucleotides selected from nucleotide 1-1249 as set forth in Sequence ID No. 1. Preferred primers comprise at least 20 contiguous nucleotides, with primers of about 30 nucleotides or so being most preferred. While the primer sequence can be selected from anywhere within the above-described sequence of 1249 nucleotides set forth in Sequence ID No. 1, it is preferred that the primer sequence be complementary to sequences located at some distance from the translocation break point (so that the same primer will be effective even if the break point varies somewhat from patient-to-patient, and so the amplification product will be of sufficient size to facilitate detection).

Exemplary sense primers which satisfy the above criteria include:

Anti-sense primers used with the above-described sense primers will comprise any sequence of at least 15 contiguous nucleotides selected from nucleotide 1250-3036, as set forth in Sequence ID No. 1. Preferred primers comprise at least 20 contiguous nucleotides, with primers having about 30 nucleotides or so being most preferred. While the primer sequence can be selected from anywhere within the sequence of nearly 2,000 nucleotides set forth at the above-described 3'-end of Sequence ID No. 1, it is preferred that the primer sequence be selected somewhat distant from the translocation break point (so that the same primer will be effective even if the break point varies somewhat from patient-to-patient, and so that the amplification product will be of sufficient size to facilitate detection). An exemplary anti-sense primer is:

Alternative sense primers which can be used in the practice of the present invention include any sequence of at least 15 contiguous nucleotides selected from nucleotides 1-280 as set forth in Sequence ID No. 3. Preferred primers comprise at least 20 contiguous nucleotides, with primers of about 30 nucleotides or so being most preferred. It is preferred that the primer sequence be selected somewhat distant from the translocation break point (so that the same primer will be effective even if the break point varies somewhat from patient-to-patient, and so that the amplification product will be of sufficient size to facilitate detection). An exemplary sense primer which satisfied the above criteria is:

Anti-sense primer used with the above-described sense primer will comprise any sequence of at least 15 contiguous nucleotides selected from nucleotides 1264-2155 as set forth in Sequence ID No. 5. Since the myl gene produces a plurality of expression products (via alternate splicing), anti-sense primer will preferably be derived from at least 15 contiguous nucleotides selected from nucleotides 1264-1334 as set forth in Sequence ID No. 5. While primers derived from further downstream of nucleotide 1334 would successfully amplify translocation products of the myl-1 gene, it is possible that other translocation products (e.g., derived from the myl-2, myl-3, etc. variants of myl) would not be identified with such a primer. Preferred primers comprise at least 20 contiguous nucleotides, which primers of about 30 nucleotides or so being most preferred. It is preferred that the primer sequence be selected somewhat distant from the translocation break point (so that the same primer will be effective even if the break point varies somewhat from patient-to-patient, and so that the amplification product will be of sufficient size to facilitate detection). An exemplary anti-sense primer which satisfies the above criteria is:

Single-stranded nucleic acid sequences contemplated for use in the practice of the present invention can be derived from the mononuclear cell fraction of the bone marrow cells, blood cells, and the like, of the patient, and include mRNA (or total RNA), which can be amplified, for example by the transcription-based amplification system (TAS) amplification reaction or by the self-sustained sequence replication system (3SR) amplification reaction. Alternatively, RNA obtained from the patient can be copied to produce cDNA, which can be amplified, for example, by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Amplification reactions have been thoroughly described in the scientific literature, and are well within the skill of the artisan. Reference can be made to numerous publications for additional guidance.

See, for example, PCT Publication WO 88/10315 with respect to the transcription-based amplification system (TAS) amplification reaction, or European Patent Application No. 0 373 960 with respect to the self-sustained sequence replication system (3SR) amplification reaction. See, for example, Kumar, in Technique--A Journal of Methods in Cell and Molecular Biology. 1:133-152 (1989) with respect to amplification employing the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). See also the detailed protocol set forth in the examples which follows.

The amplified sequences can be detected in a variety of ways. For example, amplified DNA can be size fractionated employing standard techniques for the size separation of nucleic acid material, and then the size fractionated material can be assayed for the presence of sequences having appropriate size based on the distance between the primers employed for amplification.

Alternatively, amplified sequences can be detected by hybridizing the amplified sequences with labeled probes. Labeled probes comprise any sequence complementary with the amplified sequence and further modified with (or containing) a detectable group, e.g., an enzyme, radioactive label and the like. The use of radioactively labeled probes is especially preferred when very high levels of sensitivity are desired. High sensitivity will enable detection of even limited occurrences of translocations between chromosome 15 and chromosome 17. High sensitivity will also make it possible to detect amplified product with the need for fewer amplification cycles (thereby reducing the problem of increased background signal caused by non-specific amplification).

The following Experimental Details section is set forth to aid in an understanding of the invention. This section is not intended to, and should not be construed to, limit in any way the invention set forth in the claims which follow thereafter.

Materials: The all-trans retinoic acid was supplied by Hoffmann LaRoche, Inc., Nutley, N.J. Dr. Pierre Chambon, INSERM, Strasbourg, France, supplied RAR-.alpha. plasmid for analysis of RAR-.alpha. (19, 59). Two probes were isolated from the RAR-.alpha. plasmid obtained from Dr. Chambon: A PstI-PstI and a EcoRI-SstI cut fragment. A third probe, a PCR amplified fragment from base # 235 to 404 RAR-.alpha., was synthesized from a MAP disclosed in Giguere, et al. (60). However, any RAR-.alpha. probe is sufficient for use in this invention.

Clinical protocol: Patients were eligible for this study if they fulfilled morphologic diagnostic criteria of acute promyelocytic leukemia (M3 or M3-variant sub-type) by classic French-American-British (FAB) classification (12). Karotypes were determined on unstimulated cultures of bone marrow after 48 hours by conventional techniques (13). Patients with both newly-diagnosed and relapsed or resistant APL were eligible. Patients were monitored with complete blood and platelet counts. Bone marrow aspirates were performed approximately once per week during induction until complete remission or failure was documented. Conventional response criteria were observed (14).

Patients were treated with all-trans retinoic acid at a dose of 45 mg/m.sup.2 /day. In contrast to previous studies (10,11), the drug was formulated in soft gelatin capsules. The drug treatment was divided into 2 equal doses administered approximately 6 hours apart. Patients who achieved complete remission received subsequent therapy depending on their prior treatment status.

Northern analysis for RAR-.alpha. expression: Using an established technique (18), total cellular mRNA was purified from bone-marrow mononuclear cells separated by Ficoll-Hypaque density centrifugation. Northern blot analysis was performed on the RNA as previously described (6) by electrophoresis on a 1% agarose-formaldehyde gel which was blotted onto reinforced nitrocellulose (Schleicher & Schuell, Keene, N.H.). The obtained filters were hybridized to a 600 base-pair PstI cut human cDNA for RAR-.alpha. (19,59) and were washed stringently at 56.degree. C.(6).

Southern analysis for genomic rearrangements of RAR-.alpha.: Genomic DNA was isolated from a 4M guanidine isothiocyanate, 5.7M cesium chloride gradient. The ethanol-precipitated genomic DNA was resuspended in Proteinase K (Sigma) (1 mg/mL) in 10 mM TRIS (pH 7.4), 10 mM EDTA, 150 mM NaCl, 0.4% SDS, heated to 65.degree. C. for 20 minutes, digested overnight at 37.degree. C., extracted twice with phenol/chloroform, reprecipitated with ethanol, and stored at 4.degree. C. in a Tris-buffered solution. For Southern blotting, 10 .mu.g of genomic DNA was completely digested for 3 hours with EcoRI or HindIII (2-3 U/.mu.g DNA) (Boehringer Mannheim, Indianapolis, Ind.) and size-fractionated on a 0.8% agarose gel, denatured, renatured, neutralized, and blotted onto nitrocellulose filters (20). The obtained filters were then hybridized to a 640 base-pair EcoRI-SstI cut RAR-.alpha. cDNA (19,59) and washed stringently at 55.degree. C. using our previously described technique (21). Autoradiographs were obtained after exposure at -70.degree. C. to XAR film (Kodak) using an intensifying screen.

Abnormal RAR-.alpha. detection by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR): A microisolation procedure for total RNA, followed by reverse transcription of mRNA and amplification of the cDNA by a specifically primed polymerase chain reaction yields specific CDNA fragments visualized on agarose gels (61-64). This technique has been employed in samples of as few as 100 cells to identify mRNAs for cytokine expression (62). We are using this mRNA phenotyping approach in the analysis of retinoid receptor genes that are unexpressed at the level of total cellular or the more sensitive level possible within poly A+ or RNAse protected RNA. Isolated cells from the patient are homogenized in 4M guanidine thiocyanate containing carrier RNA or glycogen. Aliquots are layered over a CsCl gradient and RNA is purified as described above. Reverse transcription with oligo dT or random hexamer primers with MMLV reverse transcriptase is performed as described (61-64) followed by 40-60 cycles of PCR amplification using primers which are specific for the rearranged myl/RAR-.alpha. mRNA. The product is electrophoresed of a NuSieve agarose gel and visualized by ethidium bromide staining. Further sensitivity is provided by Southern blotting and hybridization to myl or RAR-.alpha. probes as discussed above.

Protein expression by Western Blot Analysis: Western blotting for the abnormal RAR-.alpha. protein product is done by utilizing standard procedures (65,66). Leukemic cells are resuspended in 1 ml of radioimmunoprecipitation (RIPA) buffer (50 nM Tris-HCL pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl, Approtinin 10 g/ml, 1% Np-40, 0.5% Sodium deoxycholate, 0.1% SDS) and incubated for 30 minutes on ice with vortexing every 5 minutes. Cell debris can be removed by centrifugation of the lysate at 4.degree. C. at 12,000 g in a microfuge. Fifty to 100 .mu.g of protein from each preparation can by subjected to SDS-PAGE electrophoresis and blotted onto Nitrocellulose membrane. Non-specific binding can be blocked with 5% bovine serum albumin (or 5% low fat milk) in PBS. Membranes will be incubated with appropriate antisera for 2 hours at room temperature followed by washing with Tris-saline (0.9% NaCl, 10 nM Tris-HCl pH 7.5; 6 times, 5-7 minutes/each). Membranes will then be incubated with 10 Ci .sup.125 I- protein A for 60 minutes and washed as described above, dried and subjected to autoradiography at -70.degree. C. If the primary Ab does not bind protein A, a secondary Ab, will be added after washing away the primary Ab. .sup.125 I- protein A will then be added and incubated as described.

Protein expression by Immunoprecipitation: Leukemic cells can be lysed in 1 ml of RIPA buffer and the cell lysate prepared as described above. Specific antiserum will then be added to the supernatant and incubated on ice for 2 hours, followed by adding 100 .mu.l of RIPA buffer containing 5 mg preswollen protein A-sepharose (Sigma). If the primary Ab is monoclonal, the swollen Protein A-sepharose will be incubated with a secondary Ab (in RIPA buffer) on ice for 60 minutes, washed 4-5 times gently with ice-cold RIPA before added to the antibody-lysate mixture. This final reaction mixture will be incubated at 0.degree.-4.degree. C. for 1 hour. The immunoprecipitate will be collected by spinning at 4.degree. C. in a microfuge, washed 5 times with ice-cold RIPA buffer, and then dissolved in 50 .mu.l of 1.times. sample buffer (2% SDS, 10% glycerol, 0.1% bromophenol blue, 5% B-mercaptoethanol, and then subjected to SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. The gels will be fixed with 10% acetic acid, 50% methanol for 30 minutes, soaked with Enlightenin (NEN DuPont) for 30 minutes, and dried with a Bio-Rad gel dryer at 80.degree. C. for 1-2 hours.

The dried gels will be subjected to autoradiography at -70.degree. C.

PreParation of Antibodies: For the isolation of mouse monoclonal antibodies, eight week old mice may be injected interperitoneally with about 50 micrograms of a purified antigenic protein encoding the RAR-.alpha. receptor in complete Freud's adjuvant 1:1 volume. Mice will then be boosted, at monthly intervals, with the protein, mixed with incomplete Freund's adjuvant, and bled through the tail vein. On days 4, 3, and 2 prior to fusion, mice will be boosted intravenously with 50 micrograms of the protein in saline. Splenocyteds will then be fused with secreting myeloma cells according to procedures known to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. Some time later, hybridoma supernatent will then be screened for binding activity against the antigenic protein by standard techniques.

Human monoclonal antibodies may be produced by isolating .beta. lymphocytes from a patient's blood, transformed with E.B.V. (Epstein Barr Virus) and selected by the specific recognition of the expressed protein encoding the RAR-.alpha. receptor. The cells will then be fused with non-secreting myeloma cells according to known procedures. Some time later, hybridoma supernatant will be screened for binding activity against the protein. Positive clones will then be isolated and propagated.

Experimental Results

Patients: Eleven patients with promyelocytic leukemia were treated with all-trans retinoic acid. Nine of the 11 patients exhibited a characteristic karyotypic abnormality, t(15;17). Despite morphologic evidence of M3-leukemia, two patients did not exhibit the translocation using conventional cytogenetic techniques. Three patients (all of whom had received prior chemotherapy) had additional cytogenetic abnormalities.

Clinical response: Nine of the 11 patients achieved complete remission. Seven of the 9 patients in complete remission were technically evaluable for cytogenetic analysis and all 7 revealed a normal karyotype during remission.

The median time to remission by all criteria was 41 days (range, 24 to 53 days). Due to the early nature of this study, long-term remission duration could not be accurately assessed. Currently, the total duration of complete remission ranges from 1.5 to 6+ months. Two patients (one previously untreated and one in first relapse) were removed from the study due to increasing leukocytosis (described below) and were considered clinical failures at that time. Both of these patients subsequently achieved complete remission with conventional chemotherapy.

Hyperleukocytosis syndrome: A previous report suggested that development of a marked increase in the peripheral blood leukocyte count was associated with a poor outcome (11). Four of the 11 patients in this study experienced an elevated leukocyte count greater than 35,000 cells/mm.sup.3 following treatment with all-trans retinoic acid. The first two of those cases were removed from the study due to this event, although one of those patients had exhibited morphologic maturation of her peripheral blood leukocytes. The second two patients were continued on treatment throughout the period of leukocytosis. The leukocyte count of the first of these individuals peaked at 43,000 cells/mm.sup.3 in the first week before receding. When the leukocyte count in the second patient reached 77,000 cells/mm.sup.3, repeated leukaphereses were undertaken to reduce the leukemic cell burden. The leukocyte count in this patient remained above 50,000 cells/mm.sup.3 for 3 weeks before receding. Both cases subsequently achieved complete remission with continued therapy and with alteration of the drug dosage.

Morbidity and adverse effects: No patient died during treatment. Although this therapy did not avoid the major complications of leukemia, in most patients these complications were of lesser severity and were more easily managed. Five of the 11 patients required no platelet transfusions whatsoever. Two patients were discharged quite early from the hospital (on days 5 and 11).

All-trans retinoic acid was extremely well-tolerated. The most frequent reaction was headache that occurred several hours after drug ingestion. In most patients, symptomatic relief was obtained with the use of mild analgesics. However, intracranial hypertension was documented in two patients. Additional side-effects (all of mild intensity) included skin rash, nasal congestion, and hypertriglyceridemia. Unlike previous reports (10,11), we did not observe bone pain or hepatic toxicity at the dosage used in this study.

Molecular analysis of retinoic acid receptor-.alpha.: Nine patients with APL were evaluated by Northern analysis performed on total cellular RNA. (Due to insufficient RNA yields, 2 early patients could not be evaluated by this technique.) Eight of these 9 patients exhibited aberrant mRNA expression of RAR-.alpha.. All 8 patients who displayed the aberrant message for RAR-.alpha. by Northern analysis achieved complete remission following treatment with all-trans retinoic acid. Seven of these 8 patients also exhibited the characteristic t(15;17) karyotypic abnormality. However, one patient who had a normal karyotype by conventional cytogenetics was shown to express an abnormal mRNA species for RAR-.alpha. on Northern analysis, and this patient also achieved complete remission. Conversely, the single patient with morphologic M3 leukemia who failed treatment with no evidence of myeloid maturation had a normal karyotype by conventional cytogenetics, a normal chromosome 17 by in situ hybridization, and normal RAR-.alpha. expression by Northern analysis.

Two predominant patterns of aberrant mRNA expression were observed in APL patients by Northern analysis. These patients are depicted in FIG. 1A wherein the arrows show the two RAR-.alpha. bands of normal size, alone with one or two abnormal bands. Furthermore, as a patient achieved complete remission (illustrated in the serial Northern analyses on a representative patient in FIG. 1B), expression of the abnormal RAR-.alpha. species markedly decreased. However, in several patients, the abnormal RAR-.alpha. message could be detected by Northern analysis despite the achievement of complete remission defined by marrow morphology, peripheral blood counts, and conventional cytogenetics.

Southern blot analysis documented rearrangements of the RAR-.alpha. gene in several APL patients. A representative Southern analysis is depicted in FIG. 2, showing the appearance of a rearranged genomic DNA band in one individual. Each of the patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia depicted in FIG. 2 expressed an abnormal RAR-.alpha. mRNA species by Northern analysis. Consistent with other reports (5,8), DNA rearrangements by Southern analysis were not detected in HL-60 cells that are known to lack the (15;17) translocation (FIG. 2, lane 2).

Northern blot analysis (FIG. 3) of a patient newly diagnosed with lung cancer revealed the presence of an aberrant expression of RAR-.alpha. mRNA. The patient's normal lung expressed a normal size RAR-.alpha. species. This presents evidence that retinoid compounds can also be used to treat patients with forms of cancer other than APL.

Experimental Discussion

This clinical study confirmed the high effectiveness of all-trans retinoic acid in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia. Previously, it has been suggested that "every" patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia exhibits the translocation (15;17) if sophisticated cytogenetic techniques are employed (2). In this study, we found one patient with a normal karyotype who expressed the abnormal message for RAR-.alpha., as well as several patients in whom expression of the aberrant message was detected subsequent to karyotypic normalization in remission. Patients who lack the typical karyotypic (9;22) translocation of chronic myelogenous leukemia but who express the consequent bcr/abl fusion product are now well-described in that disorder (33). Thus, it seems likely that presence of the aberrant RAR-.alpha. message in acute promyelocytic leukemia can also serve as a new molecular diagnostic marker that is both more sensitive and specific than either light microscopy or conventional cytogenetics. For example, detection of the abnormal transcript may be useful for the evaluation of minimal residual disease in patients with this type of leukemia. Potentially more sensitive techniques, such as polymerase chain reaction amplification of the fusion receptor gene, have been developed by the inventors and should also prove useful. Our study also suggest that the presence of the aberrant RAR-.alpha. receptor and the striking clinical responses seen after pharmacologic provision of one of its ligands may be related. In this study, all-trans retinoic acid was extremely effective when the abnormal transcript was expressed; conversely, the drug was ineffective in the single patient who lacked this molecular abnormality. Moreover, minimal cytodifferentiating activity has been observed in liquid cultures of fresh non-M3 myeloid leukemic cells in vitro (27), and no activity has been described in preliminary clinical studies of other myeloblastic leukemias that lack the (15;17) translocation (10,11).

Based on previous reports that suggested the development of leukocytosis presaged a poor outcome (11), we withdrew two of our patients from treatment after their peripheral leukocyte count increased to greater than 35,000 cells/mm.sup.3. In at least one of these cases, that decision may have been in error. Two subsequent patients, both of whom showed morphologic evidence of maturation in bone marrow and peripheral blood, were maintained on the drug despite gross elevations of their leukocyte counts. One of those patients was treated with leukapheresis to remove excess leukemic cells and minimize potential morbidity (43). Both of the latter patients subsequently achieved complete remission with continued retinoid treatment. Moreover, the marked increase in S-phase component that we observed in bone marrow cells from one of these patients indicated that this effect resulted from cell division than demargination. The development of extreme leukocytosis may thus indicate cellular proliferation and differentiation of an initially large leukemic cell burden, and this event by itself does not connote therapeutic failure. This phenomenon provides another example that documents the utility of knowing that a patient with APL has (or lacks) the aberrant RAR-.alpha. receptor.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia afflicts approximately 600 new patients per year in the United States (50,51). While disease-free survival is somewhat better for this type of leukemia relative to other myeloblastic leukemias, the disease is lethal in more than 60% of patients even at major cancer centers (32,45,52). All-trans retinoic acid is a highly effective drug for inducing complete remission in these patients.

The inventors have shown that the presence of the abnormal RAR-.alpha. receptor seems to confer exquisite therapeutic sensitivity to one of its ligands, resulting in cellular maturation and complete clinical remission of leukemia. In addition, the presence of the aberrant RAR-.alpha. receptor has been expressed in a patient with lung cancer, documenting the presence of the aberrant receptor in a disease other that APL. Studies have also shown that retinoids have inhibited the growth of breast cancer (67,68). The presence of the aberrant receptor could thus be useful as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool for the detection and treatment of other forms of cancer. Antibodies could be produced that selectively target an expressed protein encoding an RAR-.alpha. receptor thereby inhibiting growth of cancer cells.

Total cellular RNA from patients confirmed to have APL, and from control cells, was extracted (18) from the mononuclear cell fraction of bone marrow cells or peripheral blood cells separated by Ficoll-Hypaque (Pharmacia LKB) sedimentation (70-72). Diagnosis of APL was confirmed according to the FAB cytologocal classification criteria (73) and by the existence of a translocation between chromosome 15 and chromosome 17, as confirmed by karyotype analysis (2, 74-78). Control samples were obtained from healthy individuals, or from a human cell line which does not have the t(15;17), e.g., HeLa cells (79).

The total RNA thus prepared was used for the cDNA as follows. To 1 .mu.g of total RNA, diluted to 10.5 .mu.l with purified water, was added 1 .mu.l of phosphorylated random nucleotide hexamers (pd(N).sub.6 from Pharmacia LKB; 40 ng/.mu.l), then the mixture was heated for 10 minutes at 70.degree. C., and thereafter quickly cooled on ice. To ensure that all the contents of the tube were collected at the bottom of the tube, the tube contents were subjected to a brief centrifugation, then the following additional components were added: optionally (if it is desired to monitor the yield of cDNA)

The resulting mixture was warmed to 37.degree. C. for about 2 minutes, then 1 .mu.l of reverse transcriptase (SuperScript RNaseH.sup.-  Reverse Transcriptase from BRL; 200 units/.mu.l) was added, and the mixture held at 37.degree. C. for an additional hour.

The progress of the cDNA preparation can be followed by withdrawing 2 .mu.l of the reaction mixture and subjecting to TCA precipitation. The presence of radioactivity in the precipitate indicates that the radiolabeled dCTP has been incorporated into cDNA. If the RNA preparation used was of good quality, then about 400-500 ng of cDNA should be obtained by the above procedure, although only small amounts of cDNA are required for the following amplification reaction.

The cDNA prepared as described above is then amplified by a PCR reaction as follows. About 0.5-1.0 .mu.l of the cDNA-containing solution (containing in the range of about 10-20 ng of cDNA) was combined with 2.5 .mu.l each of one sense and one anti-sense oligonucleotide primer (oligonucleotide primer stock solution is typically about 10 .mu.M, so that upon dilution, the final concentration of each oligonucleotide in the solution is about 1 .mu.M). The volume of the solution is then adjusted, as needed to a total of 12.5 .mu.l. To this solution is then added 12.5 .mu.l of 2.times. PCR buffer, which comprises:

Finally, 0.25 .mu.l of Taq polymerase (5 units/.mu.l; Cetus) is added, and the resulting mixture subjected to:

At the end of all 37 PCR cycles, 5 .mu.l of the PCR sample were loaded onto a 2% agarose gel (e.g., SeaKem.TM. ME agarose, FMC BioProducts, Rockland, Me.) containing about 0.5-1 .mu.g/ml of ethidium bromide (EtBr), along with standard DNA size markers which are readily available, for example, from BRL, Bethesda, Md. The gel was then subjected to electrophoresis conditions, resulting in the gel presented in FIG. 2. In the figure, a band of .about.440 bp in length can be seen for samples from both of the confirmed APL patients, but there is no such band observed in control samples, such as the sample obtained from HeLa cells.

For even higher sensitivity than is possible with the above-described stained gel, the products of the amplification reaction can be detected by Southern blot analysis employing a radioactive probe. After the amplification products are separated on gel, as described above, the DNA is transferred to a membrane filter and probed with a suitable radioactively labeled probe. Suitable radioactively labeled probes for use in such analyses can be derived from anywhere within the sequence between the sites where the amplification primers are selected. Rowley J. D., AM. J. Med. 1984; 76:827-841. Cancer 1990; 2:79-87. 1249:1577-1580. 347:558-651. Gabrilove J., Muindi J., Dmitrovsky E., J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 1990; 82:1932-1933. 4:802-807. 172:1571-1575. 10:2154-2163. 76:1704-1709. 103:626-629. Cytogenet 1986; 20:209-222. 1990; 8:813-819. Clarkson B. D., Leukemia 1989; 3:440-445. M. R., Blood 1980; 55:282-293. 1979; 18:5294-5299. 5:543-548. 72:1950-1960. 1988; 30:301-312. 83:2934-2938. Clin. Oncol. (in press). 2:736-747. 76:1710-1717. Miller D., Melamed M. R., In Tumor Aneuploidy, T. Buchner ed. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1985: 81-105. Oncol. 1985; 3:793-798. Mayer R. J., Blood 1988; 71:690-696. 250:559-562. 345:224-229. Clin. Res. (in press). 10:6445-6453. Branda R. F., Blood 1983; 62:1211-1217. 67:559-561. Langenhuijsen M. M. A. C., Blood 1989; 73:800-805. Bagby G., Blood 1987; 69:302-307. Clarkson B. D., Blood 1989; 73:1116-1122. 69:187-191. Hematologic Pathol. 1989; 3:23-28. 1990; 75:2112-2117. p. 14. 1986; 80:789-797. 78:303-309. (USA) 1980; 77:2936-2940. 323:795-801. Itri L. M., Lancet (letter) 1983; 2:629. Lancet 1983; 1:1345-1347. Sci. (USA) 1990; 87:2725-2729. Acad. Sci. (USA) 1989; 86:2617-2621. 1979; 76:4350-4354. Cell Gen. 21:399-404 sequences for a myl/RAR.alpha. fusion product. nucleotide sequence set forth in Sequence ID No. 1. sequences of the retinoid acid receptor-.alpha.. nucleotide sequence set forth in Sequence ID No. 3. sequences for one variant of the myl gene. nucleotide sequence set forth in Sequence ID No. 5. SEQUENCE LISTING (1) GENERAL INFORMATION: (iii) NUMBER OF SEQUENCES: 11 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:1: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 3036 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE: (B) CLONE: MYL-RAR (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: CDS (B) LOCATION: 67..2457 (D) OTHER INFORMATION: (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:1: CTCCCCTTCAGCTTCTCTTCACGCACTCCAAGATCTAAACCGAGAATCGAAACTAAGCTG60 GGGTCCATGGAGCCTGCACCCGCCCGATCTCCGAGGCCCCAGCAGGAC108 MetGluProAlaProAlaArgSerProArgProGlnGlnAsp 1510 CCCGCCCGGCCCCAGGAGCCCACCATGCCTCCCCCCGAGACCCCCTCT156 ProAlaArgProGlnGluProThrMetProProProGluThrProSer 15202530 GAAGGCCGCCAGCCCAGCCCCAGCCCCAGCCCTACAGAGCGAGCCCCC204 GluGlyArgGlnProSerProSerProSerProThrGluArgAlaPro 354045 GCTTCGGAGGAGGAGTTCCAGTTTCTGCGCTGCCAGCAATGCCAGGCG252 AlaSerGluGluGluPheGlnPheLeuArgCysGlnGlnCysGlnAla 505560 GAAGCCAAGTGCCCGAAGCTGCTGCCTTGTCTGCACACGCTGTGCTCA300 GluAlaLysCysProLysLeuLeuProCysLeuHisThrLeuCysSer 657075 GGATGCCTGGAGGCGTCGGGCATGCAGTGCCCCATCTGCCAGGCGCCC348 GlyCysLeuGluAlaSerGlyMetGlnCysProIleCysGlnAlaPro 808590 TGGCCCCTAGGTGCAGACACACCCGCCCTGGATAACGTCTTTTTCGAG396 TrpProLeuGlyAlaAspThrProAlaLeuAspAsnValPhePheGlu 95100105110 AGTCTGCAGCGGCGCCTGTCGGTGTACCGGCAGATTGTGGATGCGCAG444 SerLeuGlnArgArgLeuSerValTyrArgGlnIleValAspAlaGln 115120125 GCTGTGTGCACCCGCTGCAAAGAGTCGGCCGACTTCTGGTGCTTTGAG492 AlaValCysThrArgCysLysGluSerAlaAspPheTrpCysPheGlu 130135140 TGCGAGCAGCTCCTCTGCGCCAAGTGCTTCGAGGCACACCAGTGGTTC540 CysGluGlnLeuLeuCysAlaLysCysPheGluAlaHisGlnTrpPhe 145150155 CTCAAGCACGAGGCCCGGCCCCTAGCAGAGCTGCGCAACCAGTCGGTG588 LeuLysHisGluAlaArgProLeuAlaGluLeuArgAsnGlnSerVal 160165170 CGTGAGTTCCTGGACGGCACCCGCAAGACCAACAACATCTTCTGCTCC636 ArgGluPheLeuAspGlyThrArgLysThrAsnAsnIlePheCysSer 175180185190 AACCCCAACCACCGCACCCCTACGCTGACCAGCATCTACTGCCGAGGA684 AsnProAsnHisArgThrProThrLeuThrSerIleTyrCysArgGly 195200205 TGTTCCAAGCCGCTGTGCTGCTCGTGCGCGCTCCTTGACAGCAGCCAC732 CysSerLysProLeuCysCysSerCysAlaLeuLeuAspSerSerHis 210215220 AGTGAGCTCAAGTGCGACATCAGCGCAGAGATCCAGCAGCGACAGGAG780 SerGluLeuLysCysAspIleSerAlaGluIleGlnGlnArgGlnGlu 225230235 GAGCTGGACGCCATGACGCAGGCGCTGCAGGAGCAGGATAGTGCCTTT828 GluLeuAspAlaMetThrGlnAlaLeuGlnGluGlnAspSerAlaPhe 240245250 GGCGCGGTTCACGCGCAGATGCACGCGGCCGTCGGCCAGCTGGGCCGC876 GlyAlaValHisAlaGlnMetHisAlaAlaValGlyGlnLeuGlyArg 255260265270 GCGCGTGCCGAGACCGAGGAGCTGATCCGCGAGCGCGTGCGCCAGGTG924 AlaArgAlaGluThrGluGluLeuIleArgGluArgValArgGlnVal 275280285 GTAGCTCACGTGCGGGCTCAGGAGCGCGAGCTGCTGGAGGCTGTGGAC972 ValAlaHisValArgAlaGlnGluArgGluLeuLeuGluAlaValAsp 290295300 GCGCGGTACCAGCGCGACTACGAGGAGATGGCCAGTCGGCTGGGCCGC1020 AlaArgTyrGlnArgAspTyrGluGluMetAlaSerArgLeuGlyArg 305310315 CTGGATGCTGTGCTGCAGCGCATCCGCACGGGCAGCGCGCTGGTGCAG1068 LeuAspAlaValLeuGlnArgIleArgThrGlySerAlaLeuValGln 320325330 AGGATGAAGTGCTACGCCTCGGACCAGGAGGTGCTGGACATGCACGGT1116 ArgMetLysCysTyrAlaSerAspGlnGluValLeuAspMetHisGly 335340345350 TTCCTGCGCCAGGCGCTCTGCCGCCTGCGCCAGGAGGAGCCCCAGAGC1164 PheLeuArgGlnAlaLeuCysArgLeuArgGlnGluGluProGlnSer 355360365 CTGCAAGCTGCCGTGCGCACCGATGGCTTCGACGAGTTCAAGGTGCGC1212 LeuGlnAlaAlaValArgThrAspGlyPheAspGluPheLysValArg 370375380 CTGCAGGACCTCAGCTCTTGCATCACCCAGGGGAAAGCCATTGAGACC1260 LeuGlnAspLeuSerSerCysIleThrGlnGlyLysAlaIleGluThr 385390395 CAGAGCAGCAGTTCTGAAGAGATAGTGCCCAGCCCTCCCTCGCCACCC1308 GlnSerSerSerSerGluGluIleValProSerProProSerProPro 400405410 CCTCTACCCCGCATCTACAAGCCTTGCTTTGTCTGTCAGGACAAGTCC1356 ProLeuProArgIleTyrLysProCysPheValCysGlnAspLysSer 415420425430 TCAGGCTACCACTATGGGGTCAGCGCCTGTGAGGGCTGCAAGGGCTTC1404 SerGlyTyrHisTyrGlyValSerAlaCysGluGlyCysLysGlyPhe 435440445 TTCCGCCGCAGCATCCAGAAGAACATGGTGTACACGTGTCACCGGGAC1452 PheArgArgSerIleGlnLysAsnMetValTyrThrCysHisArgAsp 450455460 AAGAACTGCATCATCAACAAGGTGACCCGGAACCGCTGCCAGTACTGC1500 LysAsnCysIleIleAsnLysValThrArgAsnArgCysGlnTyrCys 465470475 CGACTGCAGAAGTGCTTTGAAGTGGGCATGTCCAAGGAGTCTGTGAGA1548 ArgLeuGlnLysCysPheGluValGlyMetSerLysGluSerValArg 480485490 AACGACCGAAACAAGAAGAAGAAGGAGGTGCCCAAGCCCGAGTGCTCT1596 AsnAspArgAsnLysLysLysLysGluValProLysProGluCysSer 495500505510 GAGAGCTACACGCTGACGCCGGAGGTGGGGGAGCTCATTGAGAAGGTG1644 GluSerTyrThrLeuThrProGluValGlyGluLeuIleGluLysVal 515520525 CGCAAAGCGCACCAGGAAACCTTCCCTGCCCTCTGCCAGCTGGGCAAA1692 ArgLysAlaHisGlnGluThrPheProAlaLeuCysGlnLeuGlyLys 530535540 TACACTACGAACAACAGCTCAGAACAACGTGTCTCTCTGGACATTGAC1740 TyrThrThrAsnAsnSerSerGluGlnArgValSerLeuAspIleAsp 545550555 CTCTGGGACAAGTTCAGTGAACTCTCCACCAAGTGCATCATTAAGACT1788 LeuTrpAspLysPheSerGluLeuSerThrLysCysIleIleLysThr 560565570 GTGGAGTTCGCCAAGCAGCTGCCCGGCTTCACCACCCTCACCATCGCC1836 ValGluPheAlaLysGlnLeuProGlyPheThrThrLeuThrIleAla 575580585590 GACCAGATCACCCTCCTCAAGGCTGCCTGCCTGGACATCCTGATCCTG1884 AspGlnIleThrLeuLeuLysAlaAlaCysLeuAspIleLeuIleLeu 595600605 CGGATCTGCACGCGGTACACGCCCGAGCAGGACACCATGACCTTCTCG1932 ArgIleCysThrArgTyrThrProGluGlnAspThrMetThrPheSer 610615620 GACGGGCTGACCCTGAACCGGACCCAGATGCACAACGCTGGCTTCGGC1980 AspGlyLeuThrLeuAsnArgThrGlnMetHisAsnAlaGlyPheGly 625630635 CCCCTCACCGACCTGGTCTTTGCCTTCGCCAACCAGCTGCTGCCCCTG2028 ProLeuThrAspLeuValPheAlaPheAlaAsnGlnLeuLeuProLeu 640645650 GAGATGGATGATGCGGAGACGGGGCTGCTCAGCGCCATCTGCCTCATC2076 GluMetAspAspAlaGluThrGlyLeuLeuSerAlaIleCysLeuIle 655660665670 TGCGGAGACCGCCAGGACCTGGAGCAGCCGGACCGGGTGGACATGCTG2124 CysGlyAspArgGlnAspLeuGluGlnProAspArgValAspMetLeu 675680685 CAGGAGCCGCTGCTGGAGGCGCTAAAGGTCTACGTGCGGAAGCGGAGG2172 GlnGluProLeuLeuGluAlaLeuLysValTyrValArgLysArgArg 690695700 CCCAGCCGCCCCCACATGTTCCCCAAGATGCTAATGAAGATTACTGAC2220 ProSerArgProHisMetPheProLysMetLeuMetLysIleThrAsp 705710715 CTGCGAAGCATCAGCGCCAAGGGGGCTGAGCGGGTGATCACGCTGAAG2268 LeuArgSerIleSerAlaLysGlyAlaGluArgValIleThrLeuLys 720725730 ATGGAGATCCCGGGCTCCATGCCGCCTCTCATCCAGGAAATGTTGGAG2316 MetGluIleProGlySerMetProProLeuIleGlnGluMetLeuGlu 735740745750 AACTCAGAGGGCCTGGACACTCTGAGCGGACAGCCGGGGGGTGGGGGG2364 AsnSerGluGlyLeuAspThrLeuSerGlyGlnProGlyGlyGlyGly 755760765 CGGGACGGGGGTGGCCTGGCCCCCCCGCCAGGCAGCTGTAGCCCCAGC2412 ArgAspGlyGlyGlyLeuAlaProProProGlySerCysSerProSer 770775780 CTCAGCCCCAGCTCCAACAGAAGCAGCCCGGCCACCCACTCCCCG2457 LeuSerProSerSerAsnArgSerSerProAlaThrHisSerPro 785790795 TGACCGCCCACGCCACATGGACACAGCCCTCGCCCTCCGCCCCGGCTTTTCTCTGCCTTT2517 CTACCGACCATGTGACCCCGCACCAGCCCTGCCCCCACCTGCCCTCCCGGGCAGTACTGG2577 GGACCTTCCCTGGGGGACGGGGAGGGAGGAGGCAGCGACTCCTTGGACAGAGGCCTGGGC2637 CCTCAGTGGACTGCCTGCTCCCACAGCCTGGGCTGACGTCAGAGGCCGAGGCCAGGAACT2697 GAGTGAGGCCCCTGGTCCTGGGTCTCAGGATGGGTCCTGGGGGCCTCGTGTTCATCAAGA2757 CACCCCTCTGCCCAGCTCACCACATCTTCATCACCAGCAAACGCCAGGACTTGGCTCCCC2817 CATCCTCAGAACTCACAAGCCATTGCTCCCCAGCTGGGGAACCTCAACCTCCCCCCTGCC2877 TCGGTTGGTGACAGAGGGGGTGGGACAGGGGCGGGGGGTTCCCCCTGTACATACCCTGCC2937 ATACCAACCCCAGGTATTAATTCTCGCTGGTTTTGTTTTTATTTTAATTTTTTTGTTTTG2997 ATTTTTTTAATAAGAATTTTCATTTTAAGCAAAAAAAAA3036 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:2: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 797 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:2: MetGluProAlaProAlaArgSerProArgProGlnGlnAspProAla 151015 ArgProGlnGluProThrMetProProProGluThrProSerGluGly 202530 ArgGlnProSerProSerProSerProThrGluArgAlaProAlaSer 354045 GluGluGluPheGlnPheLeuArgCysGlnGlnCysGlnAlaGluAla 505560 LysCysProLysLeuLeuProCysLeuHisThrLeuCysSerGlyCys 65707580 LeuGluAlaSerGlyMetGlnCysProIleCysGlnAlaProTrpPro 859095 LeuGlyAlaAspThrProAlaLeuAspAsnValPhePheGluSerLeu 100105110 GlnArgArgLeuSerValTyrArgGlnIleValAspAlaGlnAlaVal 115120125 CysThrArgCysLysGluSerAlaAspPheTrpCysPheGluCysGlu 130135140 GlnLeuLeuCysAlaLysCysPheGluAlaHisGlnTrpPheLeuLys 145150155160 HisGluAlaArgProLeuAlaGluLeuArgAsnGlnSerValArgGlu 165170175 PheLeuAspGlyThrArgLysThrAsnAsnIlePheCysSerAsnPro 180185190 AsnHisArgThrProThrLeuThrSerIleTyrCysArgGlyCysSer 195200205 LysProLeuCysCysSerCysAlaLeuLeuAspSerSerHisSerGlu 210215220 LeuLysCysAspIleSerAlaGluIleGlnGlnArgGlnGluGluLeu 225230235240 AspAlaMetThrGlnAlaLeuGlnGluGlnAspSerAlaPheGlyAla 245250255 ValHisAlaGlnMetHisAlaAlaValGlyGlnLeuGlyArgAlaArg 260265270 AlaGluThrGluGluLeuIleArgGluArgValArgGlnValValAla 275280285 HisValArgAlaGlnGluArgGluLeuLeuGluAlaValAspAlaArg 290295300 TyrGlnArgAspTyrGluGluMetAlaSerArgLeuGlyArgLeuAsp 305310315320 AlaValLeuGlnArgIleArgThrGlySerAlaLeuValGlnArgMet 325330335 LysCysTyrAlaSerAspGlnGluValLeuAspMetHisGlyPheLeu 340345350 ArgGlnAlaLeuCysArgLeuArgGlnGluGluProGlnSerLeuGln 355360365 AlaAlaValArgThrAspGlyPheAspGluPheLysValArgLeuGln 370375380 AspLeuSerSerCysIleThrGlnGlyLysAlaIleGluThrGlnSer 385390395400 SerSerSerGluGluIleValProSerProProSerProProProLeu 405410415 ProArgIleTyrLysProCysPheValCysGlnAspLysSerSerGly 420425430 TyrHisTyrGlyValSerAlaCysGluGlyCysLysGlyPhePheArg 435440445 ArgSerIleGlnLysAsnMetValTyrThrCysHisArgAspLysAsn 450455460 CysIleIleAsnLysValThrArgAsnArgCysGlnTyrCysArgLeu 465470475480 GlnLysCysPheGluValGlyMetSerLysGluSerValArgAsnAsp 485490495 ArgAsnLysLysLysLysGluValProLysProGluCysSerGluSer 500505510 TyrThrLeuThrProGluValGlyGluLeuIleGluLysValArgLys 515520525 AlaHisGlnGluThrPheProAlaLeuCysGlnLeuGlyLysTyrThr 530535540 ThrAsnAsnSerSerGluGlnArgValSerLeuAspIleAspLeuTrp 545550555560 AspLysPheSerGluLeuSerThrLysCysIleIleLysThrValGlu 565570575 PheAlaLysGlnLeuProGlyPheThrThrLeuThrIleAlaAspGln 580585590 IleThrLeuLeuLysAlaAlaCysLeuAspIleLeuIleLeuArgIle 595600605 CysThrArgTyrThrProGluGlnAspThrMetThrPheSerAspGly 610615620 LeuThrLeuAsnArgThrGlnMetHisAsnAlaGlyPheGlyProLeu 625630635640 ThrAspLeuValPheAlaPheAlaAsnGlnLeuLeuProLeuGluMet 645650655 AspAspAlaGluThrGlyLeuLeuSerAlaIleCysLeuIleCysGly 660665670 AspArgGlnAspLeuGluGlnProAspArgValAspMetLeuGlnGlu 675680685 ProLeuLeuGluAlaLeuLysValTyrValArgLysArgArgProSer 690695700 ArgProHisMetPheProLysMetLeuMetLysIleThrAspLeuArg 705710715720 SerIleSerAlaLysGlyAlaGluArgValIleThrLeuLysMetGlu 725730735 IleProGlySerMetProProLeuIleGlnGluMetLeuGluAsnSer 740745750 GluGlyLeuAspThrLeuSerGlyGlnProGlyGlyGlyGlyArgAsp 755760765 GlyGlyGlyLeuAlaProProProGlySerCysSerProSerLeuSer 770775780 ProSerSerAsnArgSerSerProAlaThrHisSerPro 785790795 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:3: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 2928 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE: (B) CLONE: hRAR ALPHA (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: CDS (B) LOCATION: 103..1488 (D) OTHER INFORMATION: (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:3: GCCATCTGGGCCCAGGCCCCATGCCCCGAGGAGGGGTGGTCTGAAGCCCACCAGAGCCCC60 CTGCCAGACTGTCTGCCTCCCTTCTGACTGTGGCCGCTTGGCATGGCCAGCAAC114 MetAlaSerAsn AGCAGCTCCTGCCCGACACCTGGGGGCGGGCACCTCAATGGGTACCCG162 SerSerSerCysProThrProGlyGlyGlyHisLeuAsnGlyTyrPro 5101520 GTGCCTCCCTACGCCTTCTTCTTCCCCCCTATGCTGGGTGGACTCTCC210 ValProProTyrAlaPhePhePheProProMetLeuGlyGlyLeuSer 253035 CCGCCAGGCGCTCTGACCACTCTCCAGCACCAGCTTCCAGTTAGTGGA258 ProProGlyAlaLeuThrThrLeuGlnHisGlnLeuProValSerGly 404550 TATAGCACACCATCCCCAGCCACCATTGAGACCCAGAGCAGCAGTTCT306 TyrSerThrProSerProAlaThrIleGluThrGlnSerSerSerSer 556065 GAAGAGATAGTGCCCAGCCCTCCCTCGCCACCCCCTCTACCCCGCATC354 GluGluIleValProSerProProSerProProProLeuProArgIle 707580 TACAAGCCTTGCTTTGTCTGTCAGGACAAGTCCTCAGGCTACCACTAT402 TyrLysProCysPheValCysGlnAspLysSerSerGlyTyrHisTyr 859095100 GGGGTCAGCGCCTGTGAGGGCTGCAAGGGCTTCTTCCGCCGCAGCATC450 GlyValSerAlaCysGluGlyCysLysGlyPhePheArgArgSerIle 105110115 CAGAAGAACATGGTGTACACGTGTCACCGGGACAAGAACTGCATCATC498 GlnLysAsnMetValTyrThrCysHisArgAspLysAsnCysIleIle 120125130 AACAAGGTGACCCGGAACCGCTGCCAGTACTGCCGACTGCAGAAGTGC546 AsnLysValThrArgAsnArgCysGlnTyrCysArgLeuGlnLysCys 135140145 TTTGAAGTGGGCATGTCCAAGGAGTCTGTGAGAAACGACCGAAACAAG594 PheGluValGlyMetSerLysGluSerValArgAsnAspArgAsnLys 150155160 AAGAAGAAGGAGGTGCCCAAGCCCGAGTGCTCTGAGAGCTACACGCTG642 LysLysLysGluValProLysProGluCysSerGluSerTyrThrLeu 165170175180 ACGCCGGAGGTGGGGGAGCTCATTGAGAAGGTGCGCAAAGCGCACCAG690 ThrProGluValGlyGluLeuIleGluLysValArgLysAlaHisGln 185190195 GAAACCTTCCCTGCCCTCTGCCAGCTGGGCAAATACACTACGAACAAC738 GluThrPheProAlaLeuCysGlnLeuGlyLysTyrThrThrAsnAsn 200205210 AGCTCAGAACAACGTGTCTCTCTGGACATTGACCTCTGGGACAAGTTC786 SerSerGluGlnArgValSerLeuAspIleAspLeuTrpAspLysPhe 215220225 AGTGAACTCTCCACCAAGTGCATCATTAAGACTGTGGAGTTCGCCAAG834 SerGluLeuSerThrLysCysIleIleLysThrValGluPheAlaLys 230235240 CAGCTGCCCGGCTTCACCACCCTCACCATCGCCGACCAGATCACCCTC882 GlnLeuProGlyPheThrThrLeuThrIleAlaAspGlnIleThrLeu 245250255260 CTCAAGGCTGCCTGCCTGGACATCCTGATCCTGCGGATCTGCACGCGG930 LeuLysAlaAlaCysLeuAspIleLeuIleLeuArgIleCysThrArg 265270275 TACACGCCCGAGCAGGACACCATGACCTTCTCGGACGGGCTGACCCTG978 TyrThrProGluGlnAspThrMetThrPheSerAspGlyLeuThrLeu 280285290 AACCGGACCCAGATGCACAACGCTGGCTTCGGCCCCCTCACCGACCTG1026 AsnArgThrGlnMetHisAsnAlaGlyPheGlyProLeuThrAspLeu 295300305 GTCTTTGCCTTCGCCAACCAGCTGCTGCCCCTGGAGATGGATGATGCG1074 ValPheAlaPheAlaAsnGlnLeuLeuProLeuGluMetAspAspAla 310315320 GAGACGGGGCTGCTCAGCGCCATCTGCCTCATCTGCGGAGACCGCCAG1122 GluThrGlyLeuLeuSerAlaIleCysLeuIleCysGlyAspArgGln 325330335340 GACCTGGAGCAGCCGGACCGGGTGGACATGCTGCAGGAGCCGCTGCTG1170 AspLeuGluGlnProAspArgValAspMetLeuGlnGluProLeuLeu 345350355 GAGGCGCTAAAGGTCTACGTGCGGAAGCGGAGGCCCAGCCGCCCCCAC1218 GluAlaLeuLysValTyrValArgLysArgArgProSerArgProHis 360365370 ATGTTCCCCAAGATGCTAATGAAGATTACTGACCTGCGAAGCATCAGC1266 MetPheProLysMetLeuMetLysIleThrAspLeuArgSerIleSer 375380385 GCCAAGGGGGCTGAGCGGGTGATCACGCTGAAGATGGAGATCCCGGGC1314 AlaLysGlyAlaGluArgValIleThrLeuLysMetGluIleProGly 390395400 TCCATGCCGCCTCTCATCCAGGAAATGTTGGAGAACTCAGAGGGCCTG1362 SerMetProProLeuIleGlnGluMetLeuGluAsnSerGluGlyLeu 405410415420 GACACTCTGAGCGGACAGCCGGGGGGTGGGGGGCGGGACGGGGGTGGC1410 AspThrLeuSerGlyGlnProGlyGlyGlyGlyArgAspGlyGlyGly 425430435 CTGGCCCCCCCGCCAGGCAGCTGTAGCCCCAGCCTCAGCCCCAGCTCC1458 LeuAlaProProProGlySerCysSerProSerLeuSerProSerSer 440445450 AACAGAAGCAGCCCGGCCACCCACTCCCCGTGACCGCCCACGCCACATGG1508 AsnArgSerSerProAlaThrHisSerPro 455460 ACACAGCCCTCGCCCTCCGCCCCGGCTTTTCTCTGCCTTTCTACCGACCATGTGACCCCG1568 CACCAGCCCTGCCCCCACCTGCCCTCCCGGGCAGTACTGGGGACCTTCCCTGGGGGACGG1628 GGAGGGAGGAGGCAGCGACTCCTTGGACAGAGGCCTGGGCCCTCAGTGGACTGCCTGCTC1688 CCACAGCCTGGGCTGACGTCAGAGGCCGAGGCCAGGAACTGAGTGAGGCCCCTGGTCCTG1748 GGTCTCAGGATGGGTCCTGGGGGCCTCGTGTTCATCAAGACACCCCTCTGCCCAGCTCAC1808 CACATCTTCATCACCAGCAAACGCCAGGACTTGGCTCCCCCATCCTCAGAACTCACAAGC1868 CATTGCTCCCCAGCTGGGGAACCTCAACCTCCCCCCTGCCTCGGTTGGTGACAGAGGGGG1928 TGGGACAGGGGCGGGGGGTTCCCCCTGTACATACCCTGCCATACCAACCCCAGGTATTAA1988 TTCTCGCTGGTTTTGTTTTTATTTTAATTTTTTTGTTTTGATTTTTTTAATAAGAATTTT2048 CATTTTAAGCACATTTATACTGAAGGAATTTGTGCTGTGTATTGGGGGGAGCTGGATCCA2108 GAGCTGGAGGGGGTGGGTCCGGGGGAGGGAGTGGCTCGGAAGGGGCCCCCACTCTCCTTT2168 CATGTCCCTGTGCCCCCCAGTTCTCCTCCTCAGCCTTTTCCTCCTCAGTTTTCTCTTTAA2228 AACTGTGAAGTACTAACTTTCCAAGGCCTGCCTTCCCCTCCCTCCCACTGGAGAAGCCGC2288 CAGCCCCTTTCTCCCTCTGCCTGACCACTGGGTGTGGACGGTGTGGGGCAGCCCTGAAAG2348 GACAGGCTCCTGGCCTTGGCACTTGCCTGCACCCACCATGAGGCATGGAGCAGGGCAGAG2408 CAAGGGCCCCGGGACAGAGTTTTCCCAGACCTGGCTCCTCGGCAGAGCTGCCTCCCGTCA2468 GGGCCCACATCATCTAGGCTCCCCAGCCCCCACTGTGAAGGGGCTGGCCAGGGGCCCGAG2528 CTGCCCCCACCCCCGGCCTCAGCCACCAGCACCCCCATAGGGCCCCCAGACACCACACAC2588 ATGCGCGTGCGCACACACACAAACACACACACACTGGACAGTAGATGGGCCGACACACAC2648 TTGGCCCGAGTTCCTCCATTTCCCTGGCCTGCCCCCCACCCCCAACCTGTCCCACCCCCG2708 TGCCCCCTCCTTACCCCGCAGGACGGGCCTACAGGGGGGTCTCCCCTCACCCCTGCACCC2768 CCAGCTGGGGGAGCTGGCTCTGCCCCGACCTCCTTCACCAGGGGTTGGGGCCCCTTCCCC2828 TGGAGCCCGTGGGTGCACCTGTTACTGTTGGGCTTTCCACTGAGATCTACTGGATAAAGA2888 ATAAAGTTCTATTTATTCTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA2928 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:4: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 462 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:4: MetAlaSerAsnSerSerSerCysProThrProGlyGlyGlyHisLeu 151015 AsnGlyTyrProValProProTyrAlaPhePhePheProProMetLeu 202530 GlyGlyLeuSerProProGlyAlaLeuThrThrLeuGlnHisGlnLeu 354045 ProValSerGlyTyrSerThrProSerProAlaThrIleGluThrGln 505560 SerSerSerSerGluGluIleValProSerProProSerProProPro 65707580 LeuProArgIleTyrLysProCysPheValCysGlnAspLysSerSer 859095 GlyTyrHisTyrGlyValSerAlaCysGluGlyCysLysGlyPhePhe 100105110 ArgArgSerIleGlnLysAsnMetValTyrThrCysHisArgAspLys 115120125 AsnCysIleIleAsnLysValThrArgAsnArgCysGlnTyrCysArg 130135140 LeuGlnLysCysPheGluValGlyMetSerLysGluSerValArgAsn 145150155160 AspArgAsnLysLysLysLysGluValProLysProGluCysSerGlu 165170175 SerTyrThrLeuThrProGluValGlyGluLeuIleGluLysValArg 180185190 LysAlaHisGlnGluThrPheProAlaLeuCysGlnLeuGlyLysTyr 195200205 ThrThrAsnAsnSerSerGluGlnArgValSerLeuAspIleAspLeu 210215220 TrpAspLysPheSerGluLeuSerThrLysCysIleIleLysThrVal 225230235240 GluPheAlaLysGlnLeuProGlyPheThrThrLeuThrIleAlaAsp 245250255 GlnIleThrLeuLeuLysAlaAlaCysLeuAspIleLeuIleLeuArg 260265270 IleCysThrArgTyrThrProGluGlnAspThrMetThrPheSerAsp 275280285 GlyLeuThrLeuAsnArgThrGlnMetHisAsnAlaGlyPheGlyPro 290295300 LeuThrAspLeuValPheAlaPheAlaAsnGlnLeuLeuProLeuGlu 305310315320 MetAspAspAlaGluThrGlyLeuLeuSerAlaIleCysLeuIleCys 325330335 GlyAspArgGlnAspLeuGluGlnProAspArgValAspMetLeuGln 340345350 GluProLeuLeuGluAlaLeuLysValTyrValArgLysArgArgPro 355360365 SerArgProHisMetPheProLysMetLeuMetLysIleThrAspLeu 370375380 ArgSerIleSerAlaLysGlyAlaGluArgValIleThrLeuLysMet 385390395400 GluIleProGlySerMetProProLeuIleGlnGluMetLeuGluAsn 405410415 SerGluGlyLeuAspThrLeuSerGlyGlnProGlyGlyGlyGlyArg 420425430 AspGlyGlyGlyLeuAlaProProProGlySerCysSerProSerLeu 435440445 SerProSerSerAsnArgSerSerProAlaThrHisSerPro 450455460 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:5: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 2155 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE: (B) CLONE: MYL-1 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: CDS (B) LOCATION: 81..1760 (D) OTHER INFORMATION: (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:5: CAACTGGCTCACGCCTCCCCTTCAGCTTCTCTTCACGCACTCCAAGATCTAAACCGAGAA60 TCGAAACTAAGCTGGGGTCCATGGAGCCTGCACCCGCCCGATCTCCGAGG110 MetGluProAlaProAlaArgSerProArg 1510 CCCCAGCAGGACCCCGCCCGGCCCCAGGAGCCCACCATGCCTCCCCCC158 ProGlnGlnAspProAlaArgProGlnGluProThrMetProProPro 152025 GAGACCCCCTCTGAAGGCCGCCAGCCCAGCCCCAGCCCCAGCCCTACA206 GluThrProSerGluGlyArgGlnProSerProSerProSerProThr 303540 GAGCGAGCCCCCGCTTCGGAGGAGGAGTTCCAGTTTCTGCGCTGCCAG254 GluArgAlaProAlaSerGluGluGluPheGlnPheLeuArgCysGln 455055 CAATGCCAGGCGGAAGCCAAGTGCCCGAAGCTGCTGCCTTGTCTGCAC302 GlnCysGlnAlaGluAlaLysCysProLysLeuLeuProCysLeuHis 606570 ACGCTGTGCTCAGGATGCCTGGAGGCGTCGGGCATGCAGTGCCCCATC350 ThrLeuCysSerGlyCysLeuGluAlaSerGlyMetGlnCysProIle 75808590 TGCCAGGCGCCCTGGCCCCTAGGTGCAGACACACCCGCCCTGGATAAC398 CysGlnAlaProTrpProLeuGlyAlaAspThrProAlaLeuAspAsn 95100105 GTCTTTTTCGAGAGTCTGCAGCGGCGCCTGTCGGTGTACCGGCAGATT446 ValPhePheGluSerLeuGlnArgArgLeuSerValTyrArgGlnIle 110115120 GTGGATGCGCAGGCTGTGTGCACCCGCTGCAAAGAGTCGGCCGACTTC494 ValAspAlaGlnAlaValCysThrArgCysLysGluSerAlaAspPhe 125130135 TGGTGCTTTGAGTGCGAGCAGCTCCTCTGCGCCAAGTGCTTCGAGGCA542 TrpCysPheGluCysGluGlnLeuLeuCysAlaLysCysPheGluAla 140145150 CACCAGTGGTTCCTCAAGCACGAGGCCCGGCCCCTAGCAGAGCTGCGC590 HisGlnTrpPheLeuLysHisGluAlaArgProLeuAlaGluLeuArg 155160165170 AACCAGTCGGTGCGTGAGTTCCTGGACGGCACCCGCAAGACCAACAAC638 AsnGlnSerValArgGluPheLeuAspGlyThrArgLysThrAsnAsn 175180185 ATCTTCTGCTCCAACCCCAACCACCGCACCCCTACGCTGACCAGCATC686 IlePheCysSerAsnProAsnHisArgThrProThrLeuThrSerIle 190195200 TACTGCCGAGGATGTTCCAAGCCGCTGTGCTGCTCGTGCGCGCTCCTT734 TyrCysArgGlyCysSerLysProLeuCysCysSerCysAlaLeuLeu 205210215 GACAGCAGCCACAGTGAGCTCAAGTGCGACATCAGCGCAGAGATCCAG782 AspSerSerHisSerGluLeuLysCysAspIleSerAlaGluIleGln 220225230 CAGCGACAGGAGGAGCTGGACGCCATGACGCAGGCGCTGCAGGAGCAG830 GlnArgGlnGluGluLeuAspAlaMetThrGlnAlaLeuGlnGluGln 235240245250 GATAGTGCCTTTGGCGCGGTTCACGCGCAGATGCACGCGGCCGTCGGC878 AspSerAlaPheGlyAlaValHisAlaGlnMetHisAlaAlaValGly 255260265 CAGCTGGGCCGCGCGCGTGCCGAGACCGAGGAGCTGATCCGCGAGCGC926 GlnLeuGlyArgAlaArgAlaGluThrGluGluLeuIleArgGluArg 270275280 GTGCGCCAGGTGGTAGCTCACGTGCGGGCTCAGGAGCGCGAGCTGCTG974 ValArgGlnValValAlaHisValArgAlaGlnGluArgGluLeuLeu 285290295 GAGGCTGTGGACGCGCGGTACCAGCGCGACTACGAGGAGATGGCCAGT1022 GluAlaValAspAlaArgTyrGlnArgAspTyrGluGluMetAlaSer 300305310 CGGCTGGGCCGCCTGGATGCTGTGCTGCAGCGCATCCGCACGGGCAGC1070 ArgLeuGlyArgLeuAspAlaValLeuGlnArgIleArgThrGlySer 315320325330 GCGCTGGTGCAGAGGATGAAGTGCTACGCCTCGGACCAGGAGGTGCTG1118 AlaLeuValGlnArgMetLysCysTyrAlaSerAspGlnGluValLeu 335340345 GACATGCACGGTTTCCTGCGCCAGGCGCTCTGCCGCCTGCGCCAGGAG1166 AspMetHisGlyPheLeuArgGlnAlaLeuCysArgLeuArgGlnGlu 350355360 GAGCCCCAGAGCCTGCAAGCTGCCGTGCGCACCGATGGCTTCGACGAG1214 GluProGlnSerLeuGlnAlaAlaValArgThrAspGlyPheAspGlu 365370375 TTCAAGGTGCGCCTGCAGGACCTCAGCTCTTGCATCACCCAGGGGAAA1262 PheLysValArgLeuGlnAspLeuSerSerCysIleThrGlnGlyLys 380385390 GATGCAGCTGTATCCAAGAAAGCCAGCCCAGAGGCTGCCAGCACTCCC1310 AspAlaAlaValSerLysLysAlaSerProGluAlaAlaSerThrPro 395400405410 AGGGACCCTATTGACGTTGACCTGCCCGAGGAGGCAGAGAGAGTGAAG1358 ArgAspProIleAspValAspLeuProGluGluAlaGluArgValLys 415420425 GCCCAGGTTCAGGCCCTGGGGCTGGCTGAAGCCCAGCCTATGGCTGTG1406 AlaGlnValGlnAlaLeuGlyLeuAlaGluAlaGlnProMetAlaVal 430435440 GTACAGTCAGTGCCCGGGGCACACCCCGTGCCAGTGTACGCCTTCTCC1454 ValGlnSerValProGlyAlaHisProValProValTyrAlaPheSer 445450455 ATCAAAGGCCCTTCCTATGGAGAGGATGTCTCCAATACAACGACAGCC1502 IleLysGlyProSerTyrGlyGluAspValSerAsnThrThrThrAla 460465470 CAGAAGAGGAAGTGCAGCCAGACCCAGTGCCCCAGGAAGGTCATCAAG1550 GlnLysArgLysCysSerGlnThrGlnCysProArgLysValIleLys 475480485490 ATGGAGTCTGAGGAGGGGAAGGAGGCAAGGTTGGCTCGGAGCTCCCCG1598 MetGluSerGluGluGlyLysGluAlaArgLeuAlaArgSerSerPro 495500505 GAGCAGCCCAGGCCCAGCACCTCCAAGGCAGTCTCACCACCCCACCTG1646 GluGlnProArgProSerThrSerLysAlaValSerProProHisLeu 510515520 GATGGACCGCCTAGCCCCAGGAGCCCCGTCATAGGAAGTGAGGTCTTC1694 AspGlyProProSerProArgSerProValIleGlySerGluValPhe 525530535 CTGCCCAACAGCAACCACGTGGCCAGTGGCGCCGGGGAGGCAGGTAGG1742 LeuProAsnSerAsnHisValAlaSerGlyAlaGlyGluAlaGlyArg 540545550 GAGAGGAACGCGTTGTGGTGATCAGCAGCTCGGAAGACTCAGATGCCG1790 GluArgAsnAlaLeuTrp 555560 AAAACTCGTCCTCCCGAGAGCTGGATGACAGCAGCAGTGAGTCCAGTGACCTCCAGCTGG1850 AAGGCCCCAGCACCCTCAGGGTCCTGGACGAGAACCTTGCTGACCCCCAAGCAGAAGACA1910 GACCTCTGGTTTTCTTTGACCTCAAGATTGACAATGAAAGTGGGTTCTCCTGGGGCTACC1970 CCCACCCCTTTCTAATTTAGTCTCTGAGTCCCAAAAAGAAGTGCAGGCAGAGCCATCTGC2030 CAGGCCCAGGAGAGCTCTGAGCTCTGGCCAACAACTGCAGCCAGGCTGGGCAGAGCACTC2090 CGGCTCACCTGGGCTCCTGGCGTGTCATTTGCTGGCTTGAATAAAGATGTCCGCCTTAAA2150 AAAAA2155 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:6: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 560 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:6: MetGluProAlaProAlaArgSerProArgProGlnGlnAspProAla 151015 ArgProGlnGluProThrMetProProProGluThrProSerGluGly 202530 ArgGlnProSerProSerProSerProThrGluArgAlaProAlaSer 354045 GluGluGluPheGlnPheLeuArgCysGlnGlnCysGlnAlaGluAla 505560 LysCysProLysLeuLeuProCysLeuHisThrLeuCysSerGlyCys 65707580 LeuGluAlaSerGlyMetGlnCysProIleCysGlnAlaProTrpPro 859095 LeuGlyAlaAspThrProAlaLeuAspAsnValPhePheGluSerLeu 100105110 GlnArgArgLeuSerValTyrArgGlnIleValAspAlaGlnAlaVal 115120125 CysThrArgCysLysGluSerAlaAspPheTrpCysPheGluCysGlu 130135140 GlnLeuLeuCysAlaLysCysPheGluAlaHisGlnTrpPheLeuLys 145150155160 HisGluAlaArgProLeuAlaGluLeuArgAsnGlnSerValArgGlu 165170175 PheLeuAspGlyThrArgLysThrAsnAsnIlePheCysSerAsnPro 180185190 AsnHisArgThrProThrLeuThrSerIleTyrCysArgGlyCysSer 195200205 LysProLeuCysCysSerCysAlaLeuLeuAspSerSerHisSerGlu 210215220 LeuLysCysAspIleSerAlaGluIleGlnGlnArgGlnGluGluLeu 225230235240 AspAlaMetThrGlnAlaLeuGlnGluGlnAspSerAlaPheGlyAla 245250255 ValHisAlaGlnMetHisAlaAlaValGlyGlnLeuGlyArgAlaArg 260265270 AlaGluThrGluGluLeuIleArgGluArgValArgGlnValValAla 275280285 HisValArgAlaGlnGluArgGluLeuLeuGluAlaValAspAlaArg 290295300 TyrGlnArgAspTyrGluGluMetAlaSerArgLeuGlyArgLeuAsp 305310315320 AlaValLeuGlnArgIleArgThrGlySerAlaLeuValGlnArgMet 325330335 LysCysTyrAlaSerAspGlnGluValLeuAspMetHisGlyPheLeu 340345350 ArgGlnAlaLeuCysArgLeuArgGlnGluGluProGlnSerLeuGln 355360365 AlaAlaValArgThrAspGlyPheAspGluPheLysValArgLeuGln 370375380 AspLeuSerSerCysIleThrGlnGlyLysAspAlaAlaValSerLys 385390395400 LysAlaSerProGluAlaAlaSerThrProArgAspProIleAspVal 405410415 AspLeuProGluGluAlaGluArgValLysAlaGlnValGlnAlaLeu 420425430 GlyLeuAlaGluAlaGlnProMetAlaValValGlnSerValProGly 435440445 AlaHisProValProValTyrAlaPheSerIleLysGlyProSerTyr 450455460 GlyGluAspValSerAsnThrThrThrAlaGlnLysArgLysCysSer 465470475480 GlnThrGlnCysProArgLysValIleLysMetGluSerGluGluGly 485490495 LysGluAlaArgLeuAlaArgSerSerProGluGlnProArgProSer 500505510 ThrSerLysAlaValSerProProHisLeuAspGlyProProSerPro 515520525 ArgSerProValIleGlySerGluValPheLeuProAsnSerAsnHis 530535540 ValAlaSerGlyAlaGlyGluAlaGlyArgGluArgAsnAlaLeuTrp 545550555560 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:7: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 27 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE: (B) CLONE: MYL-RAR (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:7: GCGGTACCAGCGCGACTACGAGGAGAT27 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:8: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 30 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE: (B) CLONE: MYL-RAR (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:8: CTCCTTGACAGCAGCCACAGTGAGCTCAAG30 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:9: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 32 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE: (B) CLONE: MYL-RAR (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:9: GCGGCGGAAGAAGCCCTTGCAGCCCTCACAGG32 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:10: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 25 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:10: AGACTGTCTGCCTCCCTTCTGACTG25 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:11: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 25 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:11: CAGGTCAACGTCAATAGGGTCCCTG25 __________________________________________________________________________

## Claims

1. A method of identifying a subject with acute promyelocytic leukemia resulting from a t(15;17) translocation who will respond to treatment with all-trans retinoic acid comprising steps of: one-or more primers comprising a portion of the t(15;17) translocation under conditions permitting polymerase chain reaction so as to amplify nucleic acid encoding the abnormal retinoic acid receptor-alpha which results from said translocation; and receptor-alpha, such that the presence of the nucleic acid indicates that the subject will respond to treatment with all-trans retinoic acid.

2. A method of claim 1, wherein amplified nucleic acid encoding the abnormal retinoic acid receptor-alpha is detected by size fractionation.

3. A method of claim 2, wherein the size fractionation is effected by a pqlyacrylamide or an agarose gel.

4. A method of claim 1, wherein the detection of amplified nucleic acid encoding the abnormal retinoic acid receptor-alpha comprises contacting the amplified nucleic acid encoding the abnormal retinoic acid receptor-alpha with a retinoic acid receptor-alpha probe labeled with a detectable marker under conditions permitting the retinoid acid receptor-alpha probe to hybridize with amplified nucleic acid encoding the abnormal retinoic acid receptor-alpha, detecting hybridization of amplified nucleic acid encoding the abnormal retinoic acid receptor-alpha with the probe, and thereby detecting the presence of nucleic acid encoding the abnormal retinoic acid receptor-alpha.

5. A method of claim 4, wherein the detectable marker is a radiolabelled molecule, a fluorescent molecule, an enzyme, or a ligand.

6. A method of claim 1, wherein the subject's t(15;17) translocation is not detectable by conventional cytogenetic or morphological methodologies.

7. A method of claim 6, wherein amplified nucleic acid encoding the abnormal retinoic acid receptor-alpha is detected by size fractionation.

8. A method of claim 7, wherein the size fractionation is effected by a polyacrylamide or agarose gel.

9. A method of claim 6, wherein the detection of amplified nucleic acid encoding the abnormal retinoic acid receptor-alpha comprises contacting the amplified nucleic acid encoding the abnormal retinoic acid receptor-alpha with a retinoic acid receptor-alpha probe labeled with a detectable marker under conditions permitting the retinoic acid receptor-alpha probe to hybridize with amplified nucleic acid encoding the abnormal retinoic acid receptor-alpha, detecting hybridization of amplified nucleic acid encoding the abnormal retinoic acid receptor-alpha with the probe, and thereby detecting the presence of nucleic acid encoding the abnormal retinoic acid receptor-alpha.

10. A method of claim 9, wherein the detectable marker is a radiolabelled molecule, a fluorescent molecule, an enzyme, or a ligand.

11. A method of identifying a subject with indications of acute promyelocytic leukemia who will not respond to treatment with all-trans retinoic acid comprising steps of: or more primers comprising a portion of the t(15;17) translocation under conditions permitting polymerase chain reaction so as to amplify nucleic acid encoding the abnormal retinoic acid receptor-alpha which results from said translocation; and receptor-alpha, such that the failure to detect the presence of the nucleic acid indicates that the subject will not respond to treatment with all-trans retinoic acid.

12. A method of claim 11, wherein amplified nucleic acid encoding the abnormal retinoic acid receptor-alpha is detected by size fractionation.

13. A method of claim 12, wherein the size fractionation is effected by a polyacrylamide or agarose gel.

14. A method of claim 11, wherein the detection of amplified nucleic acid encoding the abnormal retinoic acid receptor-alpha comprises contacting the amplified nucleic acid encoding the abnormal retinoic acid receptor-alpha with a retinoic acid receptor-alpha probe labeled with a detectable marker under conditions permitting the retinoic acid receptor-alpha probe to hybridize with amplified nucleic acid encoding the abnormal retinoic acid receptor-alpha, detecting hybridization of amplified nucleic acid encoding the abnormal retinoic acid receptor-alpha with the probe, and thereby detecting the presence of nucleic acid encoding the abnormal retinoic acid receptor-alpha.

15. A method of claim 14, wherein the detectable marker is a radiolabelled molecule, a fluorescent molecule, an enzyme, or a ligand.

16. A method of claim 11, wherein the subject's t(15;17) translocation is not detectable by conventional cytogenetic or morphological methodologies.

17. A method of claim 16, wherein amplified nucleic acid encoding the abnormal retinoic acid receptor-alpha is detected by size fractionation.

18. A method of claim 17, wherein the size fractionation is effected by a polyacrylamide or an agarose gel.

19. A method of claim 16, wherein the detection of amplified nucleic acid encoding the abnormal retinoic acid receptor-alpha comprises contacting the amplified nucleic acid encoding the abnormal retinoic acid receptor-alpha with a retinoic acid receptor-alpha probe labeled with a detectable marker under conditions permitting the retinoic acid receptor-alpha probe to hybridize with amplified nucleic acid encoding the abnormal retinoic acid receptor-alpha, detecting hybridization of amplified nucleic acid encoding the abnormal retinoic acid receptor-alpha with the probe, and thereby detecting the presence of nucleic acid encoding the abnormal retinoic acid receptor-alpha.

20. A method of claim 19, wherein the detectable marker is a radiolabelled molecule, a fluorescent molecule, an enzyme, or a ligand.