Summary
The family of transcription factor genes RUNX (RUNX1, RUNX2 and RUNX3) that contain a conserved Runt DNA-binding domain plays important roles during mammalian developmental events and in neoplasia. The RUNX proteins share a non-DNA binding partner, core-binding factor beta (CBFβ), that confers high-affinity DNA binding and stability on the complex. RUNX1 is perhaps the most frequently targeted and rearranged in a variety of different translocations, detected in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and T-cell ALL. Point mutations of RUNX1 are found in AML, myelodysplastic syndrome, and familial platelet disorder with propensity to AML. RUNX2, essential for osteogenesis, is involved in bone metastasis. Hypermethylation of RUNX3 has been found in several human epithelial cancers and loss of RUNX3 predisposes knockout mice to gastric hyperplasia, indicating a tumor suppressor like role for this gene. The main task before us is the identification of the key RUNX target genes in cancer. Many of these target genes will be likely tissue specific. A more complete knowledge of the pathways downstream of RUNX-CBFβ factors is necessary for further beneficial application to cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.
The role of genes coding the family of runx transcription factors in cancer
