Position Effect in 8;14 Translocation in Burkitt's Lymphoma

To the Editor: In 1972, it was found that Burkitt's lymphomas have a specific marker chromosome. 1 The marker chromosome is a Number 14 chromosome with an extra band on its long (q) arm. Subsequently, it has been shown 2 , 3 that the 14q+ marker in Burkitt's lymphoma is due to a translocation with the long arm of Chromosome 8. Material from the end of 8q is translocated onto 14q; reciprocally, the end of 14q is translocated onto 8q. The break points 4 in Chromosomes 8 and 14 are in bands 8q24 and 14q32. The mechanism by which an apparently balanced 8;14 translocation affects . . .