Mutation of BCL-6 Gene in normal B Cells by the Process of Somatic Hypermutation of lg Genes

摘要

Immunoglobulin (Ig) genes are hypermutated in B lymphocytes that are the precursors to memory B cells. The mutations are linked to transcription initiation, but non-Ig pro- moters are permissible for the mutation process; thus, other genes expressed in mutating B cells may also be subject to somatic hypermutation. Significant mutations were not Observed in c-MYC, S14, or α-fetoprotein (AFP) genes, but BCL-6 was highly mutated In a large proportion of memory B cells of normal individuals. The mutation pattern was Similar to that of Ig genes.