Abelson leukemia virus protein

Abl (Abelson leukemia virus protein, chromosome 9q34) is an important tyrosine kinase. This gene is fused with the bcr gene in a Philadelphia chromosome, the characteristic abnormality in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and rarely in some other leukemia forms. The bcr-abl transcript is also a tyrosine kinase, which activates mediators of the cell cycle regulation system, leading to a clonal myeloproliferative disorder. The bcr-abl protein can be inhibited with the agent imatinib mesylate, which occupies the TK domain and inhibits bcr-abls influence on the cell cycle.