Figure 1. The N-terminal region of MN1 is required for its leukemogenic potential.

(A) MN1 mutation constructs for structure-function analysis. In strategy 1 distinct stretches of approximately 200 amino acids were deleted throughout wildtype MN1. In strategy 2, stretches of approximately 200 amino acids were cumulatively deleted starting from the MN1 N-terminus. In strategy 3, stretches of approximately 200 amino acids were cumulatively deleted starting from the MN1 C-terminus. (B–D) Percentage of transgene-positive white blood cells engrafting in peripheral blood of transplanted mice at 4-week intervals. P values are given for the comparison of the indicated construct with CTL-transduced cells. The average engraftment is shown. Number of analysed mice and standard error can be found in Table S1. (E-G) Survival of mice receiving transplants of cells transduced with (E) strategy 1, (F) strategy 2, and (G) strategy 3 MN1 deletions. P values are given for the comparison of the indicated construct with CTL-transduced cells. The number of analysed mice is detailed in Table S1. (H) Morphology of bone marrow cells at death of diseased mice. The cells were Wright-Giemsa stained. Images were visualised using a Nikon Eclipse 80i microscope (Nikon, Mississauga, ON, Canada) and a 20x/0.40 numerical aperture objective, or a 100x/1.25 numerical aperture objective and Nikon Immersion Oil (Nikon). A Nikon Coolpix 995 camera (Nikon) was used to capture images. § engraftment in peripheral blood at the indicated time point or at death in cases where a mouse died before that time point. † all mice were dead at this time point due to disease. * indicates P<0.05, ** indicates P<0.001.