Chromosomal translocations involving immunoglobulin or T-cell receptor genes in lymphoid malignancy
Ino, T.; Hirano, M.
Nihon Rinsho. Japanese Journal of Clinical Medicine 50(6): 1327-1334
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0047-1852 PMID: 1518153 Document Number: 389980
Tumor-specific chromosomal translocations in lymphoid malignancy frequently involve the fusion of immunoglobulin (Ig) or T-cell receptor (TCR) gene loci with oncogenes, thereby activating the latter to contribute to the malignant phenotype. The preponderance of chromosomal translocations involving Ig or TCR genes suggests that the enzymatic machinery, the lymphocyte recombinase, is used in the formation of abnormal chromosomes. However, the role of ectopic recombination signals for recombinase in chromosomal translocations has been controversial. In this paper, molecular studies of genes adjacent to the breakpoints of these chromosomal translocation are reviewed, and the mechanism of chromosomal translocation and clinical characteristics of the tumor with specific chromosomal translocation are discussed.