When a large chromosomal rearrangement occurs, the chromosomes experience a break that leads to pieces of chromosome being swapped between one another. This causes the formation of a chimeric gene, because it incorporates two genes that are normally separate. In the case of chronic myelogenous leukemia, the chimeric gene produces a protein that actually functions. The resultant protein is a combination of the Abl kinase and Bcr kinase, creating Abl-Bcr kinase. Wild type Abl exists throughout our body, and is involved in many processes/pathways throughout the body. It is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase and is soluble in the cytosol. Abl has the ability to travel between the cytosol and the nucleus due to it having both a NLS signal and a NES signal. In addition, it also has both a SH2 domain and a SH3 domain which together work to prevent Abl from being overactive by binding to one another.
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