[Role of ASXL1 mutations in hematological disorders].

Recent progress in whole genome sequencing has identified recurrent somatic mutations in the additional sex combs like 1 (ASXL1) gene in a variety of hematological disorders and even in premalignant conditions. However, the molecular mechanisms regarding the contribution of ASXL1 mutation to the pathogenesis of premalignant conditions remain largely unelucidated. Thus, we investigated the biological effects of mutant Asxl1 using newly-generated knock-in (KI) mice. Heterozygous mutant KI mice developed phenotypes resembling human low-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and some of them developed an MDS/myeloproliferative neoplasm-like disease after a long latency. The H2AK119ub1 level around the promoter region of p16Ink4a was significantly decreased in KI hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), suggesting perturbation of Bmi1-driven H2AK119ub1 histone modification by mutant Asxl1. The mutant Asxl1 failed to interact with Bmi1, although wild type ASXL1 protein did not. When p16Ink4a expression was depleted in Asxl1 KI mice, the HSC pool was restored, and apoptosis was ameliorated in HSCs. These findings demonstrate that the loss of protein interaction between mutant Asxl1 and Bmi1 affected the activity of Prc1. The subsequent derepression of p16Ink4a by aberrant histone ubiquitination could induce cellular senescence, resulting in low-risk MDS-like phenotypes in heterozygous Asxl1 KI mice.