Terminal transferase in acute lymphoblastic leukemia in gibbons.

Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase, an enzyme which catalyzes the polymerization of deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates on a 3'-OH end of an initiator molecule in the absence of a template, has been suggested as a biological marker for human acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Examination of a cell line, 6G1, recently established from the peripheral blood of a gibbon ape with acute lymphoblastic leukemia showed the presence of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase. This enzyme after purification by successive column chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, phosphocellulose and hydroxyapatite, was found to have biochemical properties similar to those reported for terminal transferase from calf thymus and human leukemic cells. These studies suggest that terminal transferase can be used as a useful biological marker for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in both humans and subhuman primates.