AFF4 gene: MedlinePlus Genetics (original) (raw)

ALF transcription elongation factor 4

Normal Function

The AFF4 gene provides instructions for making part of a protein complex called the super elongation complex (SEC). During embryonic development, the SEC is involved in an activity called transcription, which is the first step in the production of proteins from genes. By re-starting the transcription of certain genes after pauses that normally occur during the process, the SEC helps ensure that development proceeds appropriately before birth.

CHOPS syndrome

Mutations in the AFF4 gene cause CHOPS syndrome, a disorder involving multiple abnormalities that are present from birth (congenital). The name "CHOPS" is an abbreviation for a list of features of the disorder including cognitive impairment, coarse facial features, heart defects, obesity, lung (pulmonary) involvement, short stature, and skeletal abnormalities.

The AFF4 gene mutations identified in people with CHOPS syndrome change single protein building blocks (amino acids) in the AFF4 protein. These mutations are thought to result in an AFF4 protein that is not broken down when it is no longer needed, so more AFF4 protein is available than usual. The excess AFF4 protein interferes with normal pauses in transcription. This dysregulation of transcription leads to problems in the development of multiple organs and tissues, resulting in the signs and symptoms of CHOPS syndrome.

More About This Health Condition

Cancers

The AFF4 gene is occasionally involved in chromosomal rearrangements (translocations) that are found in certain blood cancers called infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia and mixed lineage leukemia. The translocations fuse the AFF4 gene with another gene called KMT2A (formerly known as MLL). The fusion gene provides instructions for making an abnormal protein that combines features of the proteins produced from AFF4 and KMT2A. The abnormal protein likely disrupts the transcription elongation function of the SEC, which alters normal gene activity (expression) and results in the uncontrolled growth of cells that occurs in leukemia. Researchers are working to determine the specific effects of the abnormalities and how they lead to these particular cancers.

Other Names for This Gene

References