Low Ten-eleven-translocation 2 (TET2) transcript level is independent of TET2 mutation in patients with myeloid neoplasms

BACKGROUND: New sequencing technologies have enabled the identification of mutations in Ten-eleven-translocation 2 (TET2), an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of 5-methylcytosine into 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) in myeloid neoplasms. We have recently identified reduced TET2 mRNA expression in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which is associated with a poor overall survival in MDS. We herein aimed to investigate TET2 mutations and their impact on TET2 expression in a cohort of patients with myeloid neoplasms, including MDS and AML patients. FINDINGS: TET2 mutations were observed in 8 out of 19 patients (42 %) with myeloid neoplasms. The TET2 expression profile was similar between in wild type and in TET2 mutated patients. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that TET2 expression is reduced in MDS/AML patients, independently of mutational status.