Activation of the Abelson Tyrosine Kinase Activity Is Associated with Suppression of Apoptosis in Hemopoietic Cells1

A chromosomal translocation uniquely associated with chronic myeloid leukemia leads to the formation of a chimeric gene, bcr-abl, on the Phil adelphia chromosome. The BRC-ABL protein displays an uncontrolled tyrosine kinase activity similar to that seen with the transforming onco gene of the Abelson murine leukemia (ABL) virus (\-abl). An interleukin 3 dependent cell line, IC.DP, has been transfected with a gene encoding a temperature sensitive v-ABL. In the absence of interleukin 3 at the re strictive temperature for ABL tyrosine kinase activity IC.DP cells died via apoptosis. At the permissive temperature ABL tyrosine kinase activity promoted IC.DP cell survival but not proliferation. ABL therefore can specifically suppress apoptosis.