T cell receptor gene rearrangement and expression in ataxia-telangiectasia B lymphoblastoid cells

Immunoglobulin and T cell receptor gene probes have been used to investigate cell lineage and monoclonality in lymphoid malignancies. In the present study we have used T cell receptor beta- and gamma-chain gene probes to screen for abnormal rearrangements of these genes in B lymphoblastoid cells from patients with ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T). No rearrangement of either gene was observed but deletion of a beta-chain gene allele is described for one A-T cell line. Expression of mRNA hybridizing to the beta-chain gene probe was demonstrated for two A-T homozygotes (brother and sister) as well as for their mother (heterozygote). This transcript was found to be truncated in all three cases.