[HTML][HTML] Human chromosomal translocations at CpG sites and a theoretical basis for their lineage and stage specificity

AG Tsai, H Lu, SC Raghavan, M Muschen, CL Hsieh… - Cell, 2008 - cell.com
AG Tsai, H Lu, SC Raghavan, M Muschen, CL Hsieh, MR Lieber
Cell, 2008cell.com
We have assembled, annotated, and analyzed a database of over 1700 breakpoints from
the most common chromosomal rearrangements in human leukemias and lymphomas.
Using this database, we show that although the CpG dinucleotide constitutes only 1% of the
human genome, it accounts for 40%–70% of breakpoints at pro-B/pre-B stage translocation
regions—specifically, those near the bcl-2, bcl-1, and E2A genes. We do not observe CpG
hotspots in rearrangements involving lymphoid-myeloid progenitors, mature B cells, or T …
Summary
We have assembled, annotated, and analyzed a database of over 1700 breakpoints from the most common chromosomal rearrangements in human leukemias and lymphomas. Using this database, we show that although the CpG dinucleotide constitutes only 1% of the human genome, it accounts for 40%–70% of breakpoints at pro-B/pre-B stage translocation regions—specifically, those near the bcl-2, bcl-1, and E2A genes. We do not observe CpG hotspots in rearrangements involving lymphoid-myeloid progenitors, mature B cells, or T cells. The stage specificity, lineage specificity, CpG targeting, and unique breakpoint distributions at these cluster regions may be explained by a lesion-specific double-strand breakage mechanism involving the RAG complex acting at AID-deaminated methyl-CpGs.
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