title: DNA rearrangements in human B- and T-cell malignancies.
abstract: During normal differentiation lymphocytes rearrange immunoglobulin and T-lymphocyte receptor genes. The identification of a rearrangement pattern may serve as a unique clonotypic marker of a lymphoid tumor and can also be used to identify the cellular origin of the neoplasia. The cloning of abnormal breakpoints has resulted in detailed information on the inter-chromosomal translocation process and has also provided probes, which specifically identify abnormal translocations. The use of inter-chromosomal translocation-specific probes in conjunction with immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor gene probes makes it possible not only to prove monoclonality but also to provide strong evidence for neoplasia.
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000235:genetics; D007938:Leukemia / Q000235:genetics*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D013601:T-Lymphocytes; D014178:Translocation, Genetic
chemical_list: D007136:Immunoglobulins; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D004247:DNA