Genesis of the 14q+ marker in Burkitt's lymphoma

Abstract

By means of the “prosome” analysis technique, by which chromosomes are studied at early metaphase and even at prophase, an improved resolution of the G-band pattern has been achieved. The 2 chromosome regions of especial significance in the (8; 14) translocation of Burkitt's lymphoma, 8q24 and 14q32, which in the Pans karyotype were represented as uniformly negative, in prosome analysis resolved into 5 and 6 subbands respectively. The (8; 14) translocation was shown to be reciprocal and the breaking points could be established in both chromosomes with more precision than earlier. It was noticed that the segment of No. 8, translocated onto No. 14, exhibited somewhat different morphologic features in translocated than in normal position. The concept of local prosomisation was introduced and discussed.