Biased distribution of chromosomal breakpoints involving the MLL gene in infants versus children and adults with t(4;11) ALL.
Derivative chromosomes of 40 patients diagnosed with t(4;11) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were analysed on the genomic DNA level. Chromosomal breakpoints were identified in most cases within the known breakpoint cluster regions of the involved MLL and AF4 genes. Due to our current knowledge of the primary DNA sequences of both breakpoint cluster regions, specific features were identified at the chromosomal fusion sites, including deletions, inversions and duplications of parental DNA sequences. After separation of all t(4;11) leukemia patients into two age classes (below and above 1 year of age), the analysis of chromosomal fusion sites revealed significant differences in the distribution of chromosomal breakpoints and led to the definition of two hotspot areas within the MLL breakpoint cluster region. This may point to the possibility of different age-linked mechanisms that were leading to t(4;11) chromosomal translocations.
Reichel
M
M
Chair of Genetics, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Staudtstr. 5, D-91058 Erlangen, Germany.
Gillert
E
E
Angermüller
S
S
Hensel
J P
JP
Heidel
F
F
Lode
M
M
Leis
T
T
Biondi
A
A
Haas
O A
OA
Strehl
S
S
Panzer-Grümayer
E R
ER
Griesinger
F
F
Beck
J D
JD
Greil
J
J
Fey
G H
GH
Uckun
F M
FM
Marschalek
R
R
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D019457:Chromosome Breakage; D007446:Chromosome Inversion; D002880:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11; D002894:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4; D004260:DNA Repair / Q000235:genetics; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D011495:Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D051788:Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000235:genetics*; D011519:Proto-Oncogenes; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014178:Translocation, Genetic
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C497422:KMT2A protein, human; D014157:Transcription Factors; D051788:Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein; D011495:Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase