Molecular Analysis of an AIDS-Associated Burkitt’s Lymphoma: Near-Identity with Endemic Cases

Abstract

The most completely studied B-cell malignancy is Burkitt’s lymphoma, an understanding of which has been facilitated by a cytogenetic and molecular analyses of the chromosome translocations which are consistently exhibited by these tumors (reviewed in Haluska et al., 1987a). The translocations seen in Burkitt’s lymphomas abnormally juxtapose one of the immunoglobulin loci with the c-myc proto-oncogene. A small proportion of these chromosome translocations involve the light chain loci. Thus, the t(2;8)(p11;q24) translocation approximates the kchain genes on chromosome 2 with the c-myc gene on chromosome 8; similarly, the t(8;22)(q24;q11) translocation juxtaposes the c-myc gene and the λ chain genes. But in over 80% of cases, the relevant translocation is the t(8;14)(q24;q32). In this instance, the c-myc gene is translocated into the immunoglobulin heavy chain region. Consequently, normal regulation of c-myc expression is abrogated, and malignancy ensues.