[Activation of oncogenes by chromosomal translocation in hematopoietic tumors]

Specific chromosomal translocations are one of the cytogenetic characteristics of hematopoietic malignancies. The application of molecular biological techniques has led to important insight into the molecular consequences, accompanied by the chromosomal translocations. Specific oncogenes and related genes activated by the translocations have been identified at the translocation breakpoints. Translocated oncogenes are deregulated by their juxtaposition to enhancers of Ig or TCR genes, resulting in their overexpressions in some lymphoid tumors. Alternatively, they are activated by gene fusion, resulting in a chimeric oncoprotein, as seen in Ph1-positive leukemia. The molecular consequences by chromosomal translocation in hematopoietic malignancies is focused here.