T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma Protein 6 (TCL6)

The TCL6 gene expresses at least 11 isoforms through complex alternative splicing, including splicing with the TML1 gene. Those isoforms encode at least 5 open reading frames. Two of the open reading frames were localized to the cytoplasm, while the other 3 were nuclear. The TCL6 gene, composed of at least 12 exons with small alternative exons, maps 7 kb centromeric to the TML1 gene and is transcribed in the same direction. Northern blot analysis revealed 3 transcripts in kidney (5.0, 4.0, and 3.2 kb) and 3 transcripts in placenta (5.5, 4.5, and 4.0 kb). RT-PCR assays revealed strong expression of TCL6 in placenta and kidney, and low expression in tonsil, spleen, and lymph node. Among tumor cells, high expression was observed in acute T-cell leukemia, Burkitt lymphoma, B lymphocytic leukemia, and Hodgkin disease cell lines.