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Perspective: chromosomal translocations can affect genes controlling gene expression and differentiation—why are these functions targeted?
Author(s) -
Rabbitts T. H.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
the journal of pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.964
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1096-9896
pISSN - 0022-3417
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1096-9896(199901)187:1<39::aid-path235>3.0.co;2-q
Subject(s) - chromosomal translocation , biology , gene , genetics , mechanism (biology) , transcription factor , chromosome engineering , gene expression , philosophy , epistemology
Chromosomal translocations are important aetiological factors in many human cancers. These aberrant chromosomes cause enforced expression of oncogenes located near the breakpoints or result in tumour‐specific fusion proteins. Among the characteristics which influence the tumourigenic effect, it is observed that the genes at translocation junctions are often transcription factors and often normally involved in developmental processes. Furthermore, protein–protein interactions are key elements in the mechanism by which the translocation gene products exert their pathogenic effects. In this review some of these salient features are discussed and generalizations are suggested which may be applicable to the influence of chromosomal translocations on acute forms of cancer. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.