Abstract
The t(14; 18)(q32;q21) chromosomal translocation, characteristic of follicular lymphoma, couples the bcl-2 protooncogene on chromosome 18 to the immunoglobulin heavy-chain joining region (JH). This results in a deregulated transcription rate of bcl-2, suggesting a major role of the t(14;18) translocation in lymphomagenesis. By using a sensitive polymerase chain reaction technique specific for the major breakpoint region t(14;18), we now demonstrate the presence of bcl-2/JH rearrangements in lymph nodes and tonsils with follicular hyperplasia in 13 of 24 cases (54%). The approximate frequency was one translocation-positive cell in 10(5) cells. No bcl-2/JH rearrangements were detected in reactive lymph nodes without follicular hyperplasia or in bone marrow cells. Sequence analysis showed the amplified bcl-2/JH fragments to be unique to each individual sample and distinct from 24 sequenced follicular lymphoma-derived t(14;18) junctions, thus excluding contamination artifacts. The presence of random nucleotide insertions at the breakpoint junctions suggests a pre-B-cell origin of the t(14;18) translocation, in analogy with follicular lymphomas. We conclude that the t(14;18) translocation can occur in non-malignant tissue and will not, on its own, lead to malignancy.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Base Sequence
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Biopsy
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Bone Marrow / immunology
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Bone Marrow / pathology
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Bone Marrow Cells
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Cell Line
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Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14*
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Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18*
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DNA / genetics
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DNA / isolation & purification
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Gene Rearrangement*
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Genes, Immunoglobulin*
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Humans
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Hyperplasia
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Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / genetics*
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Immunoglobulin Joining Region / genetics*
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Lymph Nodes / immunology
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Lymph Nodes / pathology*
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Lymphatic Diseases / genetics*
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Lymphatic Diseases / immunology
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Lymphatic Diseases / pathology
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Lymphoma, Follicular / genetics*
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Lymphoma, Follicular / immunology
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Lymphoma, Follicular / pathology
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Oligodeoxyribonucleotides
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Palatine Tonsil / immunology
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Palatine Tonsil / pathology*
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Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics*
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
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Proto-Oncogenes*
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Tonsillitis / genetics*
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Tonsillitis / immunology
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Tonsillitis / pathology
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Translocation, Genetic*
Substances
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Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains
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Immunoglobulin Joining Region
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Oligodeoxyribonucleotides
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
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DNA
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Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
Associated data
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GENBANK/S77611
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GENBANK/S77614
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GENBANK/S77617
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GENBANK/S77619
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GENBANK/S77620
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GENBANK/S77622
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GENBANK/S77623
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GENBANK/S77624
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GENBANK/S77627
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GENBANK/S77629