Cancer chromosome breakpoints cluster in gene-rich genomic regions.

ABSTRACT: Cancer cells are characterized by chromosome abnormalities, of which some, in particular balanced rearrangements, are associated with distinct tumor entities and/or with specific gene rearrangements that represent important steps in the carcinogenic process. However, the vast majority of cytogenetically detectable structural aberrations in cancer cells have not been characterized at the nucleotide level; hence, their importance and functional consequences are unknown. By ascertaining the chromosomal breakpoints in 22 344 different clonal structural chromosome abnormalities identified in the karyotypes of 49 626 cases of neoplastic disorders we here show that the distribution of breakpoints is strongly associated (P < 0.0001) with gene content within the affected chromosomal bands. This ass

SUBMITTER: Mitelman F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6590459 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature