This gene encodes a C2H2-type zinc finger protein and is closely related to BCL11A, a gene whose translocation may be associated with B-cell malignancies. The specific function of this gene has not yet been determined, but it could also be involved in some malignancies. Two alternatively spliced transcript variants, which encode distinct isoforms, have been reported.[3]
Recent research suggests that BCL11B is crucial for ameloblasts (the cells that produce tooth enamel) to form and work properly.[4]
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Bezrookove V, van Zelderen-Bhola SL, Brink A, Szuhai K, Raap AK, Barge R, Beverstock GC, Rosenberg C (2004). "A novel t(6;14)(q25-q27;q32) in acute myelocytic leukemia involves the BCL11B gene". Cancer Genet. Cytogenet. 149 (1): 72–6. doi:10.1016/S0165-4608(03)00302-9. PMID15104287.
MacLeod RA, Nagel S, Drexler HG (2004). "BCL11B rearrangements probably target T-cell neoplasia rather than acute myelocytic leukemia". Cancer Genet. Cytogenet. 153 (1): 88–9. doi:10.1016/j.cancergencyto.2004.02.020. PMID15325104.
Przybylski GK, Dik WA, Wanzeck J, Grabarczyk P, Majunke S, Martin-Subero JI, Siebert R, Dölken G, Ludwig WD, Verhaaf B, van Dongen JJ, Schmidt CA, Langerak AW (2005). "Disruption of the BCL11B gene through inv(14)(q11.2q32.31) results in the expression of BCL11B-TRDC fusion transcripts and is associated with the absence of wild-type BCL11B transcripts in T-ALL". Leukemia. 19 (2): 201–8. doi:10.1038/sj.leu.2403619. PMID15668700.
Cismasiu VB, Adamo K, Gecewicz J, Duque J, Lin Q, Avram D (2005). "BCL11B functionally associates with the NuRD complex in T lymphocytes to repress targeted promoter". Oncogene. 24 (45): 6753–64. doi:10.1038/sj.onc.1208904. PMID16091750.
Nagel S, Scherr M, Kel A, Hornischer K, Crawford GE, Kaufmann M, Meyer C, Drexler HG, MacLeod RA (2007). "Activation of TLX3 and NKX2-5 in t(5;14)(q35;q32) T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia by remote 3'-BCL11B enhancers and coregulation by PU.1 and HMGA1". Cancer Res. 67 (4): 1461–71. doi:10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-06-2615. PMID17308084.
Kamimura K, Mishima Y, Obata M, Endo T, Aoyagi Y, Kominami R (2007). "Lack of Bcl11b tumor suppressor results in vulnerability to DNA replication stress and damages". Oncogene. 26 (40): 5840–50. doi:10.1038/sj.onc.1210388. PMID17369851.