"Jumping" translocations involving band 3q13.3 in a case of acute monocytic leukemia

Chromosomal instability in first trimester miscarriage: a common cause of pregnancy loss?

BACKGROUND

First trimester miscarriage without underlying medical conditions is most commonly caused by chromosomal abnormalities reported to occur in 50% or more of cases. These chromosomal changes in early losses include both numerical abnormalities and structural alterations that result in gain and/or loss of genetic information. Structural alterations are much less common than numerical changes. Jumping translocations (JTs) are considered extremely rare with only four cases previously reported.

METHODS

We report 12 examples of chromosome instability seen in the fetal material of spontaneous first trimester miscarriages in a single study population.

RESULTS

In these examples, we observed different cell lines with related chromosomal alterations. Some may be considered to be JT, where a single donor site was observed with different recipients. Others involved more than one site on the "donor" chromosome. One reported miscarriage involved multiple aneuploidy. All alterations resulted in partial trisomies and monosomies which predisposed the pregnancy to chromosomal imbalance and subsequent demise. Patient demographic data did not indicate possible causes of the errors observed.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first report of such a large cohort and is believed to be the result of increased knowledge and depth of analysis in this area, rather than a representation of confounding factors in this population. It is therefore proposed that identifying these chromosomal changes must be incorporated into the system of testing within the clinical environment. We must also recognize that some routine laboratory techniques will fail to detect such genetic changes.

Characterization of an acquired jumping translocation involving 3q13.31-qter in a patient with de novo acute monocytic leukemia

We studied an adult with de novo acute monocytic leukemia and a dismal outcome where her leukemic cells harbored an acquired rare jumping translocation (JT). We used oligo-based array CGH (oaCGH) analysis, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and 24-color karyotyping to enhance the characterization of the JT. G-banding detected a JT involving the 3q13.3-qter chromosomal segment and the recipient chromosomal regions 17p, 8q, and 15q. Each clone with JT was associated with trisomy 8. oaCGH analysis revealed an additional submicroscopic deletion in 3q13.31 as well as small subtelomeric duplications on several chromosomes. Locus-specific FISH with BAC-based probes from the 3q13.31-q13.32 region showed great heterogeneity. Telomere FISH revealed significantly reduced telomeric content in the aberrant cells with JT compared with cytogenetically normal cells at diagnosis and in normal cells at complete remission. A literature search revealed two previous de novo AML-M5 cases of JT involving the 3q13.3-qter chromosomal segment and concomitant trisomy 8. In addition, a case with an unbalanced der(Y)t(Y;3)(q12;q13.31) and additional trisomy 8 was previously reported in a patient with de novo AML-M5. All of these cases had a dismal outcome. In the present case, and in the der(Y)t(Y;3) case, a concurrent submicroscopic deletion at 3q13.31 was observed affecting the TUSC7 gene. Duplication of 3q13.31-qter might be a non-random chromosomal abnormality with concomitant submicroscopic deletion at 3q13.31 occurring in rare cases of acute monocytic leukemia, being associated with adverse prognosis. The impact of shortened telomeres in forming the JT is reviewed.

Bioinformatic prediction and functional characterization of human KIAA0100 gene

Our previous study demonstrated that human KIAA0100 gene was a novel acute monocytic leukemia-associated antigen (MLAA) gene. But the functional characterization of human KIAA0100 gene has remained unknown to date. Here, firstly, bioinformatic prediction of human KIAA0100 gene was carried out using online softwares; Secondly, Human KIAA0100 gene expression was downregulated by the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated (Cas) 9 system in U937 cells. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were next evaluated in KIAA0100-knockdown U937 cells. The bioinformatic prediction showed that human KIAA0100 gene was located on 17q11.2, and human KIAA0100 protein was located in the secretory pathway. Besides, human KIAA0100 protein contained a signalpeptide, a transmembrane region, three types of secondary structures (alpha helix, extended strand, and random coil) , and four domains from mitochondrial protein 27 (FMP27). The observation on functional characterization of human KIAA0100 gene revealed that its downregulation inhibited cell proliferation, and promoted cell apoptosis in U937 cells. To summarize, these results suggest human KIAA0100 gene possibly comes within mitochondrial genome; moreover, it is a novel anti-apoptotic factor related to carcinogenesis or progression in acute monocytic leukemia, and may be a potential target for immunotherapy against acute monocytic leukemia.

Jumping translocations, a novel finding in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

A jumping translocation (JT) is a rare cytogenetic aberration that can occur in haematological malignancy. It involves the translocation of the same fragment of donor chromosome onto two or more recipient chromosomes, typically in different cells. In this study, we describe the first series of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patients with JTs reported to date. Following a review of 878 CLL patient karyotypes, we identified 26 patients (3%) with 97 JTs. The most commonly occurring breakpoint in these translocations was 17p11.2. Loss of TP53 was identified prior to or at the same time as JT in 23 of 26 patients (88%). All patients eventually developed a complex karyotype. All but one patient has required treatment for CLL, with estimated median time to treatment of 11·5 months. This study establishes JTs as a recurrent abnormality found in CLL patients with aggressive disease. JTs contribute to complex karyotypes and, in many cases, are involved in chromosomal rearrangements that result in loss of the tumour suppressor gene TP53.

Jumping translocation in a case of de novo infant acute myeloid leukemia

An infant presented with fever and purulent discharge from the left ear, proptosis of the right eye, and hepatosplenomegaly. She was diagnosed with acute monoblastic leukemia on morphological and flowcytometric analysis of the bone marrow. Karyotyping showed a jumping translocation (JT) involving the long arm of chromosome 1 as the sole cytogenetic abnormality in 29 metaphases. The patient died within 2 months of diagnosis. The presence of JT in a de novo infant AML as a sole cytogenetic abnormality indicates its possible role in leukemogenesis unlike previous reports that have implicated its role in tumor progression only.

Mixed gonadal dysgenesis in a patient with de novo tas(Y;19)(p11.3;q13.4) and 45,X mosaicism

We report a patient with a de novo telomeric association between chromosomes 19 and Y in conjunction with mixed gonadal dysgenesis. The patient was first admitted to the clinic because of abnormal external genitalia. Laparoscopic evaluation revealed (1) a rudimentary uterus, one fallopian tube, and a small gonad resembling an ovary on the right side, and (2) an immature fallopian tube, a vas deferens, and a gonad resembling a testis on the left side. Conventional cytogenetic analysis performed on cultivated peripheral blood cells, and tissue obtained from the phallus and a gonadal structure which resembled a testis revealed two different cell lines with the 46,X,tas (Y;19)(p11.3;q13.4) and 45,X karyotype. Y chromosome microdeletion analysis showed that the patient did not have any genomic deletions in the AZFa, b, c, or SRY regions on the long arm of the Y chromosome. This is the first report of a patient with mixed gonadal dysgenesis that is accompanied by a telomeric association between chromosomes 19 and Y with 45,X mosaicism.

Derivative (22)t(3;22)(q12;p11.1) in desmoplastic medulloblastoma

Medulloblastoma is a malignant invasive embryonal tumor of the cerebellum, representing 15-30% of pediatric brain tumors. An i(17q) abnormality appears in 40% of medulloblastomas, and usually not as a sole aberration; however, cytogenetic data for medulloblastoma are limited. Cytogenetic work-up of tumors is an important tool for diagnosis and prognosis, and in some cases has led to the development of new therapeutic modalities. In the present case, cytogenetic analysis of a medulloblastoma revealed an unbalanced karyotype in all cells analyzed: 46,XY,der(22)t(3;22)(q12;p11.1). This sole unbalanced translocation led to partial trisomy of 3q. The significance of this finding and its role in the pathogenesis of medulloblastoma need further clarification.

Jumping translocations

Jumping translocations (JT) are uncommon constitutional or acquired chromosome rearrangements involving one donor and several recipient chromosomes. They occur in various pathologic conditions and the mechanism of their formation remains elusive. A review of the literature showed that the major localizations of the breakpoints of JTs in human samples are nonrandomly located in pericentromeric and telomeric regions of chromosomes. Interestingly, comparison of the localization of the chromosomal breakpoints and of presence of interstitial DNA repeats showed differences between constitutional and acquired JTs suggesting differences in the mechanisms for the genesis of JTs and their consequences.

Multipoint interphase FISH analysis of chromosome 3 abnormalities in 28 childhood AML patients

We detected non-random 3p losses and 3q gains on well-determined regions in both murine and human tumors using a microcell hybrid-based model system called 'elimination test'. We suggest that these are general malignancy-associated aberrations not necessarily linked to a particular tissue of origin. To examine chromosome 3 abnormalities, in 28 childhood acute myeloid leukemia bone marrow samples, we performed interphase multipoint-fluorescence in situ hybridization using 84 chromosome 3-specific probes and detected clonal chromosome 3 aberrations in nine cases, which is of a higher frequency than the previously reported one. In 3/28 children, a chromosome 3 abnormality was detected which was not visible using conventional cytogenetic analysis. We did not detect any 3p deletion. Increased copy number of 3q was found in four cases with trisomy of whole chromosome 3 and one case with 3q tetrasomy (isodisomy). We identified rare structural rearrangements in childhood acute myeloblastic leukemia, involving 3q21 and 3q26 loci around RPN1 and MDS1/EVI1 respectively. The poor outcome in pediatric patients with 3q rearrangements appears to be quite uniform.

G-banding and molecular cytogenetic analyses of marginal zone lymphoma

We analysed the acquired chromosomal aberrations of 22 marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) patients by various genome-wide cytogenetic techniques, such as G-banding, multicolour fluorescence in situ hybridisation (M-FISH), cross-species colour banding (RxFISH), and comparative genomic hybridisation (CGH), as well as FISH with locus-specific probes. Patients with an abnormal chromosome 3 (n = 11), the most frequently rearranged chromosome, showed a shorter median survival than patients with a normal chromosome 3 (n = 11, 74 months vs. 219 months, P < 0.03). Four of five patients with nodal MZL had chromosome 3 abnormalities and patients with nodal MZL had a shorter median survival than patients in the other morphological subgroups of MZL (P < 0.003). CGH analysis showed only gains of chromosome material, namely of chromosome regions 3p12-25, 3q12-21, 3q23-28, 12q13-15, 12q22-24, 19p13 and 19q13 in two to four cases each (20-40%). In two MZL, the novel unbalanced translocation der(13)t(3;13)(q24;p11) was detected as the sole karyotypic rearrangement, indicating that gain of 3q24-qter could be an important event in the pathogenesis of these lymphomas. Another two cases showed, in addition to other abnormalities, a t(4;14)(p13;q32). Both these lymphomas had involvement of the IGH gene at 14q32, and one of them also of the RHOH/TTF gene at 4p13, which encodes a new member of the RHO protein subfamily.

Prenatal diagnosis of jumping translocation involving chromosome 22 with ultrasonographic findings

We report on the prenatal diagnosis and ultrasonographic findings of a second-trimester fetus with jumping translocation involving chromosome 22. A 28-year-old gravida 2, partus 1, Turkish woman was referred for genetic counselling and ultrasonographic examination at 18 weeks' gestation because of a high risk of trisomy 21 in triple test. Prenatal ultrasonography showed tetralogy of Fallot with a diverticular dilatation of the pulmonary artery, flattened brow, complete absence of the right upper limb, hypospadias, oligodactyly (three digits) in left hand and in both feet, and hyperechogenic abdominal foci. Amniocentesis revealed a karyotype of 46,XY[4]/46,XY,-8,+ der(8),t(8;22)(q24.3;q11.21)[2]/45, XY,-22,-8,+ der(8)t(8;22)(q24.3;q11.21)[22]/45,XY,-22,-5,+ der(5)t(5;22)(q35.3;q11.21)[44]. A C-banding and FISH study with a specific centromeric probe (D14Z1/D22Z1) for chromosome 22 was made. In our case, partial monosomy for the regions 22q11.21-->22pter, 8q24.3-->8qter and 5q35.3-->5qter may partially explain the fetal malformations.

Jumping translocations of 11q in acute myeloid leukemia and 1q in follicular lymphoma

Jumping translocation is a rare cytogenetic aberration in leukemia and lymphoma, and its etiologic mechanisms are not clearly known. We report two cases with jumping translocations. One had follicular lymphoma and jumping translocations of 1q onto the telomeric regions of 5p, 9p, and 15q in three cell lines, co-existing with the specific translocation t(14;18)(q32;q21). The second case had acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and jumping translocations of 11q as the sole aberration, onto multiple derivative chromosomes in each of the abnormal cells. A total of 17 telomeric regions were seen as the recipients of 11q in this case, and 9q was always involved as one of the recipients in all abnormal cells. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) confirmed the identification of 11q material in the derivative chromosomes. While 1q has been the most common donor of acquired jumping translocations, this is the first report on jumping translocations of 11q. Different from all previously reported jumping translocations which involve only one recipient in each cell line and lead to a mosaic trisomy, multiple recipients in most of the abnormal cells in this case had led to a tetrasomy, or a pentasomy of 11q. The pattern of chromosome involvement as the recipients of 11q appears to show a continuing evolutionary process of jumping, stabilization, and spreading of the donor material into other chromosomes. Somatic recombinations between the interstitial telomeric or subtelomeric sequences of a derivative chromosome and the telomeric sequences of normal chromosomes are believed to be the underlying mechanism of jumping translocations and their clonal evolution.

Jumping translocation in acute leukemia of myelomonocytic lineage: a case report and review of the literature

Jumping translocation (JT) is a very rare cytogenetic event, occurring especially in cancer. We describe a case of secondary acute monocytic leukemia (AML5b) with a JT involving the 3q13-3qter segment and leading to a partial trisomy 3. Each clone with JT was associated with trisomy 8 or tetrasomy 8. The literature of JT in AML cases is reviewed: only 13 cases of AML associated with JT have been previously described, seven of which are AML4/5 FAB subtype. Jumping translocation involvement in leukemogenesis is discussed. Leukemia (2000) 14, 119-122.

Jumping translocations involving 11q in a non-Hodgkin lymphoma

This paper presents the results of a cytogenetic analysis in an 11-year-old boy with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The investigation was performed on slides obtained from short-term culture of lymph node cells. The analyses revealed an abnormal clone with loss of Y, gain of an X chromosome, t(3;22), trisomy 11, and three cytogenetically-related subclones with jumping translocations involving 11q13 as the common breakpoint region. This region is an unusual site of chromosome breakage in jumping translocations, and has not been reported thus far. Contrary to most published reports, the jumping translocation in our patient is associated with long survival.

Two children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and "jumping" translocations: both involve 1q23 as the donor breakpoint

"Jumping" translocations (JT) are relatively rare and are associated with poor prognosis. We report two male patients with childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and abnormal cell lines detected on bone marrow cytogenetics. Diagnostic marrow cytogenetics were not available for either patient. In patient 1, approximately 11 years after diagnosis, cytogenetics revealed a single translocation, t(1;2)(q23;q32), which was followed by translocations t(1;22)(q23;p11) and t(1;1)(q23;q21.3). In patient 2, two translocations were present together, t(1;6)(q23;p21.3) and t(1;11)(q23;q21), 12 years after diagnosis. The unbalanced JTs in both patients resulted in partial trisomy for (1)(q23-->qter). Both died within 1-2 years after the appearance of the JT. Our patients provide additional support for chromosome 1q preferential involvement in JTs, and that their appearance is associated with a poor prognosis.

Jumping translocations involving chromosome 1q in a patient with Crohn disease and acute monocytic leukemia: a review of the literature on jumping translocations in hematological malignancies and Crohn disease

A 36-year-old man with a 10-year history of Crohn disease (CD) presented with gross hematuria and blasts in his peripheral blood. A chromosome analysis revealed one normal cell and 33 abnormal cells. The stem line was 47,XY,+8. The multiple side lines also had a jumping translocation between chromosome 1q31-32 and 4, 8, 10, 17, and 18 terminal regions. A cytogenetic, morphologic, and immunophenotypic analysis of a bone marrow aspirate and biopsy demonstrated acute myeloid leukemia of monocytic lineage, AML-M5b. In this paper are reviewed (a) the unusual and rare phenomenon of jumping translocations in hematological malignancies and (b) leukemia in CD.

Jumping translocation of 1q as the sole aberration in a case of follicular lymphoma

Cytogenetic and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies in a case of follicular lymphoma grade III showed a "jumping translocation" of chromosome 1q21-qter to chromosomes Xq28 and 18q23, which resulted in a partial trisomy 1q as the only chromosome aberration. This case represents, to the best of our knowledge, the first report of a jumping translocation in a malignant lymphoma occurring as the sole aberration.

Unusual presentation of multiple myeloma with "jumping translocation" involving 1q21. A case report and review of the literature

We describe a case of multiple myeloma with unusual manifestations consisting of cutaneous xanthomatosis, temporal arteritis, retinal vasculitis with a complex karyotype, and a "jumping translocation" involving 1q21. The literature of cytogenetic studies of multiple myeloma and of jumping translocation is reviewed.

Segmental jumping translocation in leukemia and lymphoma with a highly complex karyotype

In order to identify the oncogene associated with malignant transformation 141 leukemia and malignant lymphoma patients were studied by FISH. Specific chromosome regions were translocated onto structurally abnormal chromosomes, resulting in partial tri-, tetra-, or pentasomy of these regions. We designated this type of chromosomal translocation as a "segmental jumping translocation (SJT)". These SJTs were found in several chromosomal regions such as 8q24, 9q34, 11q13, 11q23, 13q14, 14q24-q32, 21q22 and 22q11. The SJT at 9q34, which involved the ABL oncogene, was found in three of nine secondary leukemia patients who were treated with anticancer drugs and radiation. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients had 3-7 copies of SJT at 11q13 or 11q23. SJT at 14q32 and 21q22 were predominantly detected in the acute type of adult T-cell leukemia (8 of 27 patients) and in AML (5 of 17 patients). The size of the SJT regions varied among the patients. The overlapping region within the SJT could involve oncogene(s) associated with transformation to the advanced stage in leukemia and lymphoma patients. The SJT provides evidence of a new mechanism for gene amplification and formation of unidentified marker chromosomes in the advanced disease stage.

Shortened Telomeres Involved in a Case With a Jumping Translocation at 1q21

The jumping translocation (JT) is a rare chromosomal abnormality in which a specific chromosomal segment translocates onto the ends of various chromosomes (jumps). In most cases, the region distal to 1q21 jumps onto numerous different telomeres. Here we report a molecular study of the JT involving 1q21 found in a patient with acute myelomonocytic leukemia that had transformed from myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). This is the first report describing the analysis of the molecular structure of the JT. We demonstrated the presence of a stretch of telomeric repeats at the breakpoint by means of a fluorescence in situ hybridization experiment, molecular cloning, and nucleotide sequencing of the fused region. A significant amount of variant telomeric repeats (a telomeric sequence having one-base mismatch within the authentic telomeric repeat TTAGGG) was found in this region. The variant telomeric repeat has been shown to be present in the proximal region of telomeres and does not perform telomeric functions by itself. Therefore, these results indicated that the telomeres had already been critically shortened when the jumps occurred. We suggest that the extended proliferation of cancer cells during the premalignant stage, such as MDS, results in chromosomal instability due to the loss of telomeric functions.

Shortened Telomeres Involved in a Case With a Jumping Translocation at 1q21

The jumping translocation (JT) is a rare chromosomal abnormality in which a specific chromosomal segment translocates onto the ends of various chromosomes (jumps). In most cases, the region distal to 1q21 jumps onto numerous different telomeres. Here we report a molecular study of the JT involving 1q21 found in a patient with acute myelomonocytic leukemia that had transformed from myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). This is the first report describing the analysis of the molecular structure of the JT. We demonstrated the presence of a stretch of telomeric repeats at the breakpoint by means of a fluorescence in situ hybridization experiment, molecular cloning, and nucleotide sequencing of the fused region. A significant amount of variant telomeric repeats (a telomeric sequence having one-base mismatch within the authentic telomeric repeat TTAGGG) was found in this region. The variant telomeric repeat has been shown to be present in the proximal region of telomeres and does not perform telomeric functions by itself. Therefore, these results indicated that the telomeres had already been critically shortened when the jumps occurred. We suggest that the extended proliferation of cancer cells during the premalignant stage, such as MDS, results in chromosomal instability due to the loss of telomeric functions.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization assessment of the telomeric regions of jumping translocations in a case of aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma

We report a jumping translocation involving a donor chromosome 1 long arm in a case of aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Conventional cytogenetic banding studies demonstrated a breakpoint distal to the heterochromatic region of the donor 1q chromosome. Characterization by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of the jumping translocation demonstrated an apparent telomeric sequence loss of the recipient chromosomes. Additional cytogenetic aberrations, including the t(18;22) translocation associated with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, were also observed in this case. Cytogenetically similar cases of jumping translocations reported in the literature have implicated a preferential involvement of the donor chromosomes' heterochromatic regions and the telomeric regions of the recipient chromosomes. Jumping translocations are still considered rare and their appearance is associated with a poor prognosis. The presence of these specific findings for this case are discussed and compared with those previously reported in other hematologic disorders.

Frequent Jumping Translocations of Chromosomal Segments Involving the ABL Oncogene Alone or in Combination With CD3-MLL Genes in Secondary Leukemias

Seven secondary leukemia patients were treated for solid tumors or malignant lymphoma with anticancer drugs or radiation. We studied bone marrow samples from these patients by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Of the seven patients, three had increased signals for the ABL oncogene (9q34) on interphase nuclei and at metaphase. One of the three patients also had four signals for the CD3 (MLL) region (11q23). Whole painting probes revealed that these chromosomal regions were translocated onto structurally abnormal chromosomes, resulting in partial tri-, tetra- or penta-somy of these regions. We called this type of translocation “segmental jumping translocation (SJT).” SJT of the ABL oncogene was not detected in samples from 15 patients with de novo acute myelocytic leukemia (AML), 12 with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), or 20 with chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML) at the chronic phase. Furthermore, monosomy 7 was also found in the patients with the gene amplification. These results indicate that SJT of ABL and/or CD3 (MLL) genes is associated with the leukemogenesis of secondary leukemia. The SJT may be one mechanism of gene amplification.

Cohabiting t(12;22) and inv(3) primary rearrangements in an acute myelomonocytic leukemia (FAB M4) cell line

We describe the cytogenetic characterization of MUTZ-3, the first continuous cell line to be established from acute myelomonocytic leukemia (FAB M4) cells, exhibiting recurrent chromosomal rearrangements associated with this disease category. MUTZ-3 was established from peripheral blood taken at presentation from a 29-year-old male patient and carries the t(12;22)(p13.2;q11.2) associated with acute myelomonocytic leukemia (AMMoL), the inv(3)(q21.2q26.3) associated with multilineage acute myeloid leukemias (AML), and the inv(7)(p 14q35) associated with ataxia telangiectasia (A-T). There was no evidence that the patient was an A-T heterozygote. The breakpoint on chromosome 22 mapped between 5' BCR and D22S39, consistent with the G-banding assignment. Both inversions were translocation-associated and may be further examples of an association previously described in AML FAB M4eo with inv(16). We suggest that the combination of inv(3)/t(3;3) with t(12;22) may represent a new, nonrandom association in AML.

A new translocation, t(3;6)(q12;24) associated with chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia and marrow fibrosis

This report describes a 75-year-old man with chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML) and marked marrow fibrosis associated with t(3;6)(q12;24). Although structural abnormalities of 3q occur in haematological neoplasia, this particular chromosomal translocation has not been previously described in CMML. Karyotypic abnormalities involving 3q and marrow fibrosis may affect prognosis in CMML.

"Jumping" translocation of 9q in a case of follicular lymphoma

Cytogenetic and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies on a t(14;18)-positive follicular lymphoma presenting a remarkable pattern of secondary chromosomal changes are reported. Chromosome analysis of a lymph node biopsy performed at diagnosis revealed the presence of four related subclones characterized by the (14;18) translocation alone or together with one of the following anomalies: add(1)(p36), add(13)(q34), or der(12)(12;13)(q24;q14)add(13)(q34). The chromosome 9 origin of the extra material on the abnormal chromosomes 1 and 13 was demonstrated by FISH and points to "jumping" translocation in the present case.

Jumping translocation in a newborn boy with dup(4q) and severe hydrops fetalis

We report on the unusual cytogenetic findings in a newborn boy with severe hydrops fetalis. He has a mosaic for 2 unbalanced chromosome rearrangements: a der(18)-t(4;18)(q31;q23) and a der(18)t(4;18)(q31;p11). As a result, this patient had a duplication of 4q31-qter in all cells, and was possibly monosomic for the distal ends of 18p and 18q, respectively in the 2 cell lines. Since in both rearrangements the same chromosome 4 segment was translocated to 2 different chromosome regions, we consider the present finding as a peculiar type of jumping translocation.

Carcinogen-induced amplification of SV40 DNA inserted at 9q12-21.1 associated with chromosome breakage, deletions, and translocations in human uroepithelial cell transformation in vitro

The fate of integrated SV40 viral genome in SV40-immortalized human uroepithelial cells (SV-HUC) during multistep chemical transformation in vitro was studied. We previously reported that exposure of SV-HUC at passage (P) 15 to the chemical carcinogens 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA), 4-aminobiphenyl (ABP), or the N-hydroxy metabolites of ABP causes tumorigenic transformation and/or neoplastic progression. We report now that these same chemical carcinogens induce amplification of SV40 DNA in SV-HUC. We used fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to show that this amplification occurs at the SV40 integration site, which was mapped near a common fragile site at 9q12-21.1 on the der(9)t(8;9) chromosome that is present in all SV-HUC at the earliest passage studied. Karyotypic analysis, along with FISH, also revealed that all carcinogen-induced tumors (T-SV-HUCs) had breaks at 9q12-21.1, deletions of 9q12-21.1-->pter, and new derivative chromosomes containing SV40 in the segment 9q12-21.1-->9q34::8q22-->8qter. Southern blot analysis, along with FISH, confirmed SV40 genome rearrangements in T-SV-HUCs. In contrast, no 9q12-21.1 breaks were observed in control SV-HUC. Thus, these results associate 9q12-21.1-->pter alterations with HUC tumorigenic transformation. In addition, these results indicate for the first time that (carcinogen-induced) amplification of chromosome-integrated viral genes may create sites that are prone to breakage, deletions, and translocations. These results suggest a new mechanism by which chemical carcinogens in synergy with a DNA tumor virus could initiate a cascade of events that contribute to the genomic instability associated with tumorigenesis.

Jumping translocations of 1q in Burkitt lymphoma and acute nonlymphocytic leukemia

"Jumping translocations" have been observed mostly in cultured cells. Reports of such translocations in hematologic malignancies are few, and the associated clinical picture is unclear. We report three cases of hematologic malignancies with various unbalanced translocations (so-called jumping translocation) involving trisomy of the long arm of chromosome 1. The first case was a 13-year-old boy with Burkitt lymphoma who showed a very aggressive clinical course. The second case was a 10-month-old girl with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia [ANNL, French-American-British (FAB) classification M0] who had high risk factors, including hyperleukocytosis with a peripheral white blood cell (WBC) count of 300,000/microliters, and who died 7 months after diagnosis. The third case was a 6-year-old boy with Burkitt-like leukemia whose first remission lasted only 1 month. Only 10 cases with jumping translocations, including two cases with Burkitt-like leukemia/lymphoma, have been reported previously. This rare phenomenon may occur with increased frequency in Burkitt-like leukemia/lymphoma and may be an adverse prognostic factor.

Tumor-associated karyotypic lesions coselected with in vitro macrophage differentiation

Several cytogenetic lesions in chromosomes 2, 5, 12, and 16 have been repeatedly coselected with in vitro macrophage differentiation in a clonal murine thymic tumor cell line. Parental-type subclones, which show an extremely immature hemopoietic phenotype, do not carry the aberrations. The frequency of the stable differentiated variants is elevated by 5-azacytidine and bromodeoxyuridine, consistent with chromosome breakage being responsible for the phenotype. The frequency is also raised by dexamethasone. Since variants are 300-3,000-fold more resistant to dexamethasone than parental clones, we interpret this to be largely due to selection. Three of the lesions, on chromosome 2, match those previously described as associated specifically with in vivo-generated murine myeloid tumors, induced by X irradiation and corticosteroid treatment. Several implications follow from these observations. (1) In vitro differentiation in clonal tumor cell lines can be used to select for tumor-associated lesions. This should allow genetic and molecular analysis of the chromosome 2 lesions and of others that may pinpoint genes critical to macrophage differentiation and transformation. (2) Myeloid and lymphoid tumors that occur in response to X irradiation may diverge from a common initiating tumor. (3) The hemopoietic lineage switch phenomenon, previously described by several authors, may be caused by similar or identical chromosome aberrations.