title: Identification of a subclass of double minute chromosomes containing centromere-associated DNA.
abstract: In a study of abnormal chromosomes in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) cells we have identified one case which contained extrachromosomal chromatin bodies that, on the basis of their morphology and negative C-banding, appeared to be double minute chromosomes (dmin). However, fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) analysis using an X-specific centromeric alphoid repeat probe and a pan-centromere probe, clearly demonstrated the presence of centromere-associated DNA in these dmin. FISH analysis with the pan-centromere probe of the dmin in neuroblastoma and sarcoma cells failed to reveal the presence of centromere-associated DNA, but analysis of two cases of acute myeloid leukemia cells revealed centromere-associated DNA in 25% of their dmin. These data indicate the existence of dmin that contain centromere-associated DNA and suggest that such dmin might represent a new class of extrachromosomal chromatin bodies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Oncology, University Medical School, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Hammond
authors.forename: B W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Hancock
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Goyns
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D002503:Centromere / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D002871:Chromosome Banding; D025063:Chromosome Disorders; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D007621:Karyotyping; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D014960:X Chromosome
chemical_list: D004273:DNA, Neoplasm