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Human and mouse cellular myc protooncogenes reside on chromosomes involved in numerical and structural aberrations in
Abstract:
A molecular clone of viral myc (v-myc), the oncogene of avian myelocytomatosis virus, MC29, detected homologous human, mouse, and Chinese hamster cellular myc (c-myc) sequences by Southern filter hybridization. A v-myc probe, containing sequences from the 3' domain of the gene, hybridized to single human HindIII and mouse EcoRI genomic DNA fragments of the cellular myc genes whose segregation could be followed in interspecies somatic cell hybrids. Human c-myc segregated concordantly with the enzyme marker glutathione reductase and with a karyotypically normal chromosome 8. A rearrangement of human c-myc was observed in Burkitt's lymphoma cells possessing the t(8;14) translocation. These results suggest that human c-myc is located close to the breakpoint on chromosome 8 (q24) involved in the t(8;14) translocation. The mouse c-myc gene segregated concordantly with chromosome 15 in mouse-Chinese hamster cell hybrids. These gene assignments are noteworthy, as structural and numerical abnormalities of human chromosome 8 and mouse chromosome 15 are associated frequently with B-cell neoplasms.
Insights
This study identifies the cellular myc (c-myc) gene in humans and mice using viral myc (v-myc) probes. It maps human c-myc to chromosome 8, near a translocation common in Burkitt
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Oncology
Background:
- Viral oncogenes, such as viral myc (v-myc) from avian myelocytomatosis virus MC29, play crucial roles in cellular transformation.
- Understanding the cellular homologues (c-myc) of viral oncogenes is essential for deciphering cancer mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and map homologous cellular myc (c-myc) sequences in human and mouse genomes.
- To investigate the chromosomal location of human c-myc and its potential involvement in specific cancer-related translocations.
Main Methods:
- Southern filter hybridization using a v-myc probe to detect homologous c-myc sequences.
- Analysis of gene segregation in interspecies somatic cell hybrids to map c-myc.
- Examination of c-myc in human Burkitt's lymphoma cells with known chromosomal translocations.
Main Results:
- Homologous human, mouse, and Chinese hamster c-myc sequences were detected.
- Human c-myc was mapped to chromosome 8, segregating with glutathione reductase and a normal chromosome 8.
- A rearrangement of human c-myc was observed in Burkitt's lymphoma cells with the t(8;14) translocation, suggesting proximity to the breakpoint at 8q24.
- Mouse c-myc was mapped to chromosome 15.
Conclusions:
- The cellular myc (c-myc) gene is conserved across species and located on specific chromosomes.
- Human c-myc's location on chromosome 8q24 places it near a critical breakpoint involved in the t(8;14) translocation characteristic of Burkitt's lymphoma.
- The findings highlight the significance of chromosome 8 and 15 abnormalities in B-cell neoplasms.