Open AccessChromatin structure around the c-myc gene in Burkitt lymphomas with upstream and downstream translocation points.
Author(s) -
Paul Dyson,
Terence H. Rabbitts
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.82.7.1984
Subject(s) - chromosomal translocation , chromatin , biology , hypersensitive site , gene , immunoglobulin heavy chain , microbiology and biotechnology , breakpoint , lymphoblast , immunoglobulin gene , lymphoma , gene expression , cell culture , genetics , enhancer , immunology
Burkitt lymphoma cells seem to have abnormal c-myc gene activity resulting from chromosomal translocation. We have examined the consequences of translocation on putative control sequences near to the c-myc gene by DNase I hypersensitivity mapping of chromatin. There is no detectable difference in the pattern of hypersensitivity (compared with the actively transcribed c-myc gene of lymphoblastoid cells) in Burkitt lymphoma cells where the translocation point occurs at a considerable distance upstream or downstream of c-myc. When the translocation occurs near the 5' end of the c-myc gene, resulting in loss of hypersensitive sites, those that remain show the same sensitivity as in lymphoblastoid cell lines. We conclude that translocation has little general effect on the usual pattern of hypersensitive sites near to the c-myc gene but new sites can be observed in some cases in the immunoglobulin region near to the breakpoint. These may be sites normally involved in immunoglobulin gene transcription and may exert a subtle effect on the translocated c-myc gene.