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The (4;11)(q21;q23) chromosome translocations in acute leukemias involve the VDJ recombinase.

Authors :
Gu Y
Cimino G
Alder H
Nakamura T
Prasad R
Canaani O
Moir DT
Jones C
Nowell PC
Croce CM
Source :
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America [Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A] 1992 Nov 01; Vol. 89 (21), pp. 10464-8.
Publication Year :
1992

Abstract

Chromosomal region 11q23 is frequently rearranged in acute lymphocytic leukemias (ALLs) and in acute myeloid leukemias (AMLs), mostly in reciprocal exchanges with various translocation partners. The most common of these translocations is t(4;11)(q21;q23). It is present in approximately 10% of ALL patients, most frequently in very young children. We have recently cloned a region of chromosome 11, the ALL-1 locus, found to be rearranged in malignant cells from patients with the t(4;11), t(9;11), t(11;19), t(1;11), t(6;11), t(10;11), and del(11q23) chromosomal abnormalities. Here we report the cloning and characterization of chromosomal breakpoints from leukemic cells with t(4;11) aberrations. The breakpoints cluster in regions of 7-8 kilobases on both chromosomes 4 and 11. The presence of heptamer- and nonamer-like sequences at the sites of breakage suggests that the VDJ recombinase utilized for immunoglobulin gene rearrangement is also directly involved in these translocations. We also show that leukemic cells with t(4;11) express altered RNAs transcribed from the derivative chromosomes 11 and 4.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0027-8424
Volume :
89
Issue :
21
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
1438235
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.89.21.10464