Reasoning
PS3 is met at strong strength. Three independent functional studies evaluated the exact CBL p.Tyr371His variant. Fernandes et al. (PMID:20622007) showed ligand-independent growth or ligand hyperresponsiveness with FLT3 or KIT, activation of Akt and STAT5, elevated reactive oxygen species, and suppression of transforming activity by hexokinase inhibition. Niemeyer et al. (PMID:20694012) showed cytokine-independent growth and constitutive ERK, AKT, and S6 phosphorylation, specifically in hematopoietic cells with reduced normal CBL expression, providing a disease-relevant genetic control. Javadi et al. (PMID:23696637) showed enhanced survival without GM-CSF, increased GM-CSF receptor beta-chain phosphorylation, elevated JAK2 and LYN expression, increased CBL and S6 phosphorylation, and normalization or inhibition of mutant-associated signaling with JAK2 or SRC-pathway inhibitors. The studies use disease-relevant hematopoietic systems, wild-type or normal-CBL comparisons, pathway readouts, and pharmacologic rescue/inhibition; the convergent results support a damaging gain-of-function effect on CBL. No evidence supports BS3.
Rule
PS3: Well-established in vitro or in vivo functional studies supportive of a damaging effect on the gene or gene product.
Evidence considered
- Fernandes et al. (PMID:20622007) directly characterized CBL-Y371H and reported ligand-independent growth or ligand hyperresponsiveness with FLT3 or KIT, Akt and STAT5 activation, elevated reactive oxygen species, and inhibition of transformation by 2-deoxyglucose.
- Niemeyer et al. (PMID:20694012) reported that p.371Y>H induced cytokine-independent growth and constitutive ERK, AKT, and S6 phosphorylation only in hematopoietic cells with normal CBL expression reduced by RNA interference.
- Javadi et al. (PMID:23696637) evaluated CBL-Y371H in TF-1 cells and reported enhanced survival without GM-CSF, increased GM-CSF receptor beta-chain phosphorylation, elevated JAK2 and LYN, increased CBL and S6 phosphorylation, and pathway-specific inhibitor effects.
- The three studies converge on abnormal, disease-relevant hematopoietic signaling for the exact p.Tyr371His substitution, with cellular controls and inhibitor-based mechanistic support.
Still missing
- The assays were research studies rather than validated and reproducible clinical diagnostic laboratory tests.
- No formal interlaboratory replication or standardized quantitative strength calibration was reported in the available evidence.
Sources