Sequence of the FRA3B common fragile region: implications for the mechanism of FHIT deletion.

ABSTRACT: The hypothesis that chromosomal fragile sites may be "weak links" that result in hot spots for cancer-specific chromosome rearrangements was supported by the discovery that numerous cancer cell homozygous deletions and a familial translocation map within the FHIT gene, which encompasses the common fragile site, FRA3B. Sequence analysis of 276 kb of the FRA3B/FHIT locus and 22 associated cancer cell deletion endpoints shows that this locus is a frequent target of homologous recombination between long interspersed nuclear element sequences resulting in FHIT gene internal deletions, probably as a result of carcinogen-induced damage at FRA3B fragile sites.

SUBMITTER: Inoue H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC25062 | biostudies-literature | 1997 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature