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THE COUNCIL FOR TOBACCO RESEARCH-U.S.A., INC. 900 TI[IRD AVENUE NEW YORK. N.Y. 10022 Memorandum To: Dr. J.F. Glenn and Staff From: D.H.Ford Re: Site visit with Dr. S. Goyert, North Shore Hospital Manhasset, N.Y., Aprill0, 1989 Grant No. 2218 entitled "Myeloid Differentiation genes." Goal: To develop a more complete understanding of the differentia- tion of myelod cells (monocytes and granulocytes) and to attempt to determine what factors may alter the direction of differentia- tion. Progress: Dr. Goyert was previously working at the Hospital for Joint Diseases, Orthopedic Institute in Manahatten. As of January 1st, she has been at the North Shore Hospital and appears to have almost completely set up her new laboratory. It further appears that the hospital has been very generous in providing the equipment she requires. Her present position is as Director of the hematology laboratory. Her progress report in her current renewall application describes her progress while at the Joint Disease Hospital. There are, however, some new findings. She has.now determined the gene sequence for the pCD-45'gene~t turns out that the sequence for this gene codes for a molecu e like myeloperoxidase in a semi- differentiated myeloid cell at the 3' end. However, the 5' end is not homologous to any molecule in the library she has been using. This enzyme sequence appears to be restricted to leukemias which have promyelocytes, as determined by mRNAs. She has also isolated the cDNA for the gene. It is to be noted that mature cells in these patients lack the enzyme. It should be remembered that the leukemia cell is only a convenient cytological tool for determining what is occuring during the maturation of these cell lines. Question: Is what she has isolated another form of peroxidase? Further, will it be found in other types of leukemia? Comment:This appears to be an interesting program directed toward obtaining a better understanding of what factors initiate the differentiation of primitive myeloid cells in different directions to provide for all the myeloid cell types. This is basic molecular biology which seems likely to contribute to our understanding of the immune system. It may even help determine why some cells synthesize various peptides (growth hormone, endorphin, etc.). DHF