The function of transcription factor SCL in T cell development.

SCL是一种在很大比例的人类T细胞白血病中异常表达的基因。增加SCL水平的小鼠模型表明，T细胞成熟受到SCL的异常影响。因此，为T细胞白血病的产生提供了线索。通过利用重组DNA技术，我们现在能够控制T细胞成熟过程中的SCL水平。我们可以使用药理学试剂增加SCL的水平，或者我们可以从成熟的T细胞中通过基因去除SCL。这种双刃剑方法将使我们能够以前所未有的精度监测SCL对成熟T细胞的影响。这种方法的结果将为T细胞白血病的发展提供新的见解，并为新的合理治疗提供基础。

SCL is a gene which is abnormally expressed in a large percentage of human T cell leukaemias. Mouse models that increase SCL levels have demonstrated that T cell maturation is abnormally affected by SCL. Thus, providing a clue as to how T cell leukemias arise. By utilising recombinant DNA technology we are now able to control SCL levels in T cell maturation. We can either increase the level of SCL using pharmacological reagents or we can genetically remove SCL from maturing T cells. This double-edged approach will allow us to monitor the effects of SCL on maturing T cells with a precision that has never previously been achieved. Results from this approach will provide new insights into how T cell leukaemia develops and provide the foundation for new rational based treatments.