T cell receptor and immunoglobulin gene rearrangements in lymphoproliferative disorders

Analysis of methylation in the c-MYC gene in five human myeloma cell lines

Genomic alterations of the human c-MYC gene were analysed in five human myeloma cell lines established in Kawasaki Medical School and compared with those of normal lymphocytes, Raji cells from Burkitt's lymphoma, and an Epstein-Barr virus positive lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL). Although no structural chromosome aberrations at 8q24, the c-MYC locus, were distinct, the mRNA level of c-MYC in these myeloma cell lines was 30-50-fold that in normal peripheral blood lymphocytes. Regarding the methylation of c-MYC, DNAs of the myeloma cell lines were digested with MspI plus EcoRI or HpaII plus EcoRI, and hybridized with three genomic 32P-labelled probes; the first, second and third exons of the human c-MYC gene, respectively. The extent of methylation in cytosine at a single CCGG site in the third exon substantially decreased in these myeloma cell lines as compared with that in normal tonsillar B, LCL and Raji cells. No significant differences in hypomethylation between these myeloma, normal B, LCL and Raji cells was detected in the first and second exon of c-MYC. These results suggest that the hypomethylation in the third exon of c-MYC might be related to the enhanced expression of c-MYC in these human myeloma cell lines.

Cytogenetics in the investigation of haematological disorders

Chronic and acute, myeloid and lymphatic haematological neoplasms are characterized by acquired genetic rearrangements that, in the majority of cases, can be detected as clonal chromosomal abnormalities. The aberrations are either primary, meaning that they contribute to the establishment of the neoplasm, or secondary, in which case they are acquired during the clonal evolution and malignization of the neoplastic cells. The abnormalities are non-randomly distributed; the aberration pattern differs from disease to disease and sometimes is so characteristic that individual rearrangements may be virtually pathognomonic for particular neoplasms. The cytogenetic characterization of haematological malignancies is of two-fold importance. First, the recurrent aberrations provide us with an insight into the pathogenetic mechanisms that are operative. They pinpoint those areas of the human genome that carry genes or regulatory sequences whose function is disturbed in leukaemias and lymphomas. Using DNA recombinant techniques in addition to chromosome-level investigations of these cancer-associated rearrangements, the molecular pathology of leukaemias and lymphomas is now gradually being unravelled. Second, even before the long-term goal of a more fundamental understanding of the neoplastic process is reached, the cytogenetic aberrations have a direct clinical importance. The finding of an acquired, clonal chromosome abnormality in haematopoietic cells (-Y in old men is an exception) means that the patient has a neoplastic disease. Often, but by no means always, the type of aberration is also informative as to which type of neoplasm is present. During therapy, remission and relapse can be monitored by cytogenetic analyses. Finally, the karyotypic pattern influences prognosis and may thus be taken into account when the choice of therapy is made.