Evaluation of Formin Gene Status and Expression in Myeloproliferative and Myelodysplastic Disorders

Leukocytes and myeloid lineage cells from these specimens will be assayed for expression of DRF genes using standard molecular biological approaches to measure mRNA levels. Extracted DNA will be analyzed for mutations that affect expressions or function using direct sequencing techniques.

Alternatively, expression of DRF gene products (mDia proteins) will be assessed using specific antibodies and flow cytometry. Molecular findings resulting from these assays will be correlated with clinical information recorded in specimen logbook.