DNA and RNA binding by the Wilms' tumour gene 1 (WT1) protein +KTS and −KTS isoforms—From initial observations to recent global genomic analyses

Abstract The Wilms' tumour gene 1 protein ( WT 1) is a zinc finger transcription factor found indispensable for foetal development. WT 1 has also been implicated in the development of tumours in several organ systems, including acute myeloid leukaemia ( AML ). Four main WT 1 isoforms come from 2 alternative splice events. One alternative splice results in the inclusion or exclusion of 3 amino acids, KTS , between zinc fingers 3 and 4 in the WT 1 protein. The KTS insert has been extensively investigated due to the functional implications for DNA and RNA binding. In this review, we provide an overview of the research into the isoforms containing or lacking the KTS insert in leukaemic cells, as well as the research into the binding patterns of the WT 1 − KTS and + KTS isoforms to DNA and RNA . Finally, we connect the results of the DNA binding research to the Ch IP ‐ CHIP and Ch IP ‐Seq investigations into the global genomic binding of the WT 1 protein that have recently been performed.