The ATM probe is 182kb, labelled in red, and covers the telomeric end of the NPAT gene and the centromeric end of the ATM gene to just beyond the D11S3347 marker. The probe mix also contains a control probe for the 11 centromere (D11Z1) labelled in green.
The protein kinase ATM (ATM serine/threonine kinase) gene at 11q22.3, is frequently deleted in cases of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). ATM is an important checkpoint gene involved in the management of cell damage. Its function is to assess the level of DNA damage in the cell and attempt repair by phosphorylating key substrates involved in the DNA damage response pathway1.
B-CLL is the most common leukaemia in adults; its course can vary from very indolent to rapidly progressive. Due to the low mitotic activity of the leukaemic cells in vitro, clonal chromosomal abnormalities are detected in 40-50%2 of cases by conventional cytogenetics using B- cell mitogens, whereas FISH analysis identifies chromosomal aberrations in approximately 80%2 of B-CLLs. Screening for deletions of ATM and/or TP53 is vital to allow informed therapy choices for B-CLL patients, as deletions of TP53 and ATM confer poorer prognosis in this disease4; therefore, the use of FISH has proved to be a powerful tool in both the diagnosis and management of patients with B-CLL2,3,4.
Analysis of the ATM/TP53 interaction in B-CLL has shown that TP53 and ATM play an important role in the proliferation of lymphoid cancer1. It has been shown that ATM enhances the phosphorylation of TP53, should the damage be so great that the cell requires destruction by apoptosis (which is mediated by TP53). Deletion of ATM removes this checkpoint activity and hence activation of TP53. Thus, there is no attempt made to repair, or apoptosis of, damaged cells, despite the presence of TP53. In the absence of ATM, damaged cells are allowed to continue to proliferate5.
Microscope image
Find certificate of analysis documentation for our CytoCell FISH probes
Our lab has been using a wide range of CytoCell FISH probes for a number of years, and have been increasing this range all the time. The probes have clear bright signals and show good reproducibility. CytoCell provides fast delivery of catalogue probes, and are very responsive when we have any queries or problems with their products.
Bridget Manasse
Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge University Hosiptals NHS Foundation Trust, UK
In our hands, CytoCell FISH probes have proven to be of the highest quality with bright, easy to interpret signals, thus providing confidence in our results. OGT's customer support is outstanding, as their staff are extremely knowledgeable and truly care about their customers and their customers’ needs.
Jennie Thurston
Director of Cytogenetics, Carolinas Pathology Group, USA
I first came across CytoCell FISH probes in a previous lab I worked in and I was struck by the quality of the products. Since this time, I have been recommending and introducing CytoCell probes across all application areas — now they are the primary FISH probes used in our lab. They have an excellent range of products and their ready-to-use reagent format saves considerable time.
Elizabeth Benner
Medical Technologist, University of Arizona Health Network, USA
We have been working with CytoCell fish probes for two decades because of their excellent clarity and intensity regardless of the size of the probe. It is so clear and simple to detect.
Dr. Marina Djurisic
Head of Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Mother and Child Health Care Institute of Serbia “Dr Vukan Cupic”, Serbia
The quality and consistency of CytoCell’s probes means I can trust the results, and my clients get their results in a timely manner.
Dr. Theresa C. Brown
Director, Cytogenetics Laboratory, Hayward Genetics Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, USA
It was very important for us to have more consistent results with our probes — easy-to-read bright signals and a range of vial sizes, which is much more cost-effective.
Janet Cowan, PhD
Director of the Cytogenetics Laboratory, Tufts Medical Center, USA
Not only do CytoCell offer an extensive range of high-quality FISH probes, the customer support is also excellent — providing fast access to all the probes I need. The probes are highly consistent with bright signals allowing easy scoring of results.
Dr. Eric Crawford
Senior Director, Genetics Associates Inc., USA
The quality and reproducibility of results using the CytoCell kit has been vital in accurately detecting co-deletions in our glioma investigations. We now have a cost-effective test that we can rely on that is also easy to use and interpret. We've been consistently impressed with this kit - not to mention the support offered by OGT's customer service, and have completely transitioned over to CytoCell probes.
Gavin Cuthbert, FRCPath
Head of Cancer Cytogenetics, Northern Genetics Servce, Newcastle, UK
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