Nodal marginal zone lymphoma (NMZL) is a primary nodal B-cell lymphoma that shares morphological and immunophenotypic characteristics with extranodal and splenic marginal zone lymphoma. Data on altered genes and signaling pathways are scarce in this rare tumor entity. To gain further insights into the genetic background of NMZL, seven cases were investigated by microarray analysis, G-banding, and FISH. Chromosomal imbalances were observed in 3/7 cases (43%) with gains of chromosome arms 1q, 8q, and 12q being the most frequent findings. Furthermore, we identified a translocation t(11;14)(q23;q32) involving IGH and DDX6. Chromosomal walking, expression analysis, siRNA-mediated gene knockdown and a yeast two hybrid screen were performed for further characterization of the translocation in vitro. In siRNA experiments, DDX6 appeared not to be involved in NF-κB activation as frequently observed for genes promoting lymphomagenesis but was found to interfere with the expression of BCL6 and BCL2 in an NF-κB independent manner. In conclusion, we identified several unbalanced aberrations and a t(11;14) involving IGH and DDX6 providing evidence for a contribution of DDX6 to lymphomagenesis by deregulation of BCL6 in NMZL.
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