Mapping chromosome band 11q23 in human acute leukemia with biotinylated probes: identification of 11q23 translocation breakpoints with a yeast artificial chromosome.

Translocations involving chromosome 11, band q23, are frequent recurring abnormalities in human acute lymphoblastic and acute myeloid leukemia. We used 19 biotin-labeled probes derived from genes and anonymous cosmids for hybridization to metaphase chromosomes from leukemia cells that contained four translocations involving band 11q23: t(4;11)(q21;q23), t(6;11)(q27;q23), t(9;11)(p22;q23), and t(11;19)(q23;p13). The location of the cosmid probes relative to the breakpoint in 11q23 was the same in all translocations. Of the cosmid clones containing known genes, CD3D was proximal and PBGD, THY1, SRPR, and ETS1 were distal to the breakpoint on 11q23. Hybridization of genomic DNA from a yeast clone containing yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs), that carry 320 kilobases (kb) of human DNA including CD3D and CD3G genes, showed that the YACs were split in all four translocations. These results indicate that the breakpoint at 11q23 in each of these translocations occurs within the 320 kb encompassed by these YACs; whether the breakpoint within the YACs is precisely the same in the different translocations is presently unknown.

Deletions of interferon genes in acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Structural rearrangements involving the short arm of chromosome 9, including bands 9p21 and 22, are found in the leukemia cells of 7 to 13 percent of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The interferon-alpha gene cluster and the interferon-beta 1 gene have been localized to this chromosomal region. We have previously demonstrated deletions of these genes in several cell lines established in vitro from patients with lymphoblastic leukemia. We report here homozygous or hemizygous deletions of the interferon-alpha and interferon-beta 1 genes in samples of leukemia cells from patients with lymphoblastic leukemia. Of 62 patients examined, 18 (29 percent) had such deletions. Four patients (7 percent) had homozygous deletions of the interferon-alpha gene cluster; of these, one also had a homozygous deletion and three had hemizygous deletions of the interferon-beta 1 gene. Fourteen patients (23 percent) had hemizygous deletions of both the interferon-alpha gene cluster and the interferon-beta 1 gene. In 8 of the 18 patients with deletions, the deletions of interferon genes were submicroscopic; in the 11 other patients, chromosomal rearrangements of 9p, including translocations or deletions, were visible on light microscopy. These chromosomal and molecular deletions are likely to be related to the loss of a tumor-suppressor gene (or genes) located on 9p, which may be an interferon gene or an unrelated but closely linked gene.

Homozygous deletion of the alpha- and beta 1-interferon genes in human leukemia and derived cell lines.

The loss of bands p21-22 from one chromosome 9 homologue as a consequence of a deletion of the short arm [del(9p)], unbalanced translocation, or monosomy 9 is frequently observed in the malignant cells of patients with lymphoid neoplasias, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The alpha- and beta 1-interferon genes have been assigned to this chromosome region (9p21-22). We now present evidence of the homozygous deletion of the interferon genes in neoplastic hematopoietic cell lines and primary leukemia cells in the presence or absence of chromosomal deletions that are detectable at the level of the light microscope. In these cell lines, the deletion of the interferon genes is accompanied by a deficiency of 5'-methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (EC 2.4.2.28), an enzyme of purine metabolism. These homozygous deletions may be associated with the loss of a tumor-suppressor gene that is involved in the development of these neoplasias. The relevant genes may be either the interferon genes themselves or a gene that has a tumor-suppressor function and is closely linked to them.