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The mystery of chromosomal translocations in cancer

L G Koss1

  • 1Department of Pathology, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA. lkoss@montefiore.org

Cytogenetic and Genome Research
|November 15, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Chromosomal translocations in cancer are poorly understood. This review compares them to meiotic crossing over, suggesting DNA proximity and excision/integration mechanisms are key, yet the precise process remains largely unknown.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Chromosomal translocations are hallmarks of human cancers.
  • Targeting drug therapies, like imatinib mesylate for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) via bcr-abl tyrosine kinase, demonstrate the clinical relevance of translocation products.
  • However, the underlying mechanisms driving these chromosomal rearrangements are largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare chromosomal translocations in human cancer with meiotic crossing over.
  • To discuss proposed mechanisms for DNA exchange between and among chromosomes.
  • To identify essential conditions for translocation events.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and comparison of chromosomal translocations in cancer with meiotic crossing over.
  • Discussion of proposed DNA exchange mechanisms.
  • Listing of conditions essential for translocation events.

Main Results:

  • Chromosomal translocations share similarities with meiotic crossing over.
  • Essential conditions for translocations include proximity of DNA segments, DNA excision, transport, and integration.
  • The precise molecular mechanisms of both crossing over and translocations remain largely unknown.

Conclusions:

  • The mechanisms of chromosomal translocations and meiotic crossing over are not well understood.
  • Proposed translocation mechanisms involve DNA proximity, excision, transport, and integration.
  • It is hypothesized that only one autosome participates in these events, potentially leading to loss of heterozygosity in cancer.

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