Childhood leukemia: a genetic swap meet.Many types of leukemia, cancer of the white blood cells White blood cells A group of several cell types that occur in the bloodstream and are essential for a properly functioning immune system. Mentioned in: Abscess Incision & Drainage, Bone Marrow Transplantation, Complement Deficiencies , are caused when pieces of two chromosomes break off and exchange places within the cells, prompting their abnormal growth. Researchers have now identified one of the genes involved in the chromosome swap that results in acute lymphocytic leukemia acute lymphocytic leukemia n. See acute lymphoblastic leukemia. acute lymphocytic leukemia Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, ALL A malignant lymphoproliferative process that commonly affects children and young adults (ALL), the most common form of leukemia among children. Carlo M. Croce and colleagues at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia have determined that the ALL chromosome swap, or translocation translocation /trans·lo·ca·tion/ (trans?lo-ka´shun) the attachment of a fragment of one chromosome to a nonhomologous chromosome. Abbreviated t. , splices a newly identified gene onto a gene with unknown function. The researchers report in the Nov. 13 CELL that the new gene resembles the fruit fly gene for a transcription factor  This article or section may be confusing or unclear for some readers.Please [improve the article] or discuss this issue on the talk page. , which controls the activity of other genes. Croce's team suggests that the translocation creates a "fusion" transcription factor that may cause leukemia either by activating the wrong genes or preventing the normal transcription factor from activating the right genes. |
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