Gene organization in nonmalignant B cells from t(4;14) and t(11;14) multiple myeloma (MM) patients differs from that of healthy donors. Among recurrent IGH translocations in MM, the frequency of t(4;14) (IGH and FGFR3) or t(11;14) (IGH and CCND1) is greater than the frequency of t(14;16) (IGH and MAF). Gene organization in t(14;16) patients may influence translocation potential of MAF with IGH. In patients, three-dimensional FISH revealed the positions of IGH, CCND1, FGFR3, and MAF in nonmalignant B cells that are likely similar to those when MM first arose, compared with B cells from healthy donors. Overall, IGH occupies a more central nuclear position while MAF is more peripherally located. However, for B cells from t(4;14) and t(11;14) patients, IGH and FGFR3, or IGH and CCND1 are found in spatial proximity: IGH and MAF are not. This differs in B cells from t(14;16) patients and healthy donors where IGH is approximately equidistant to FGFR3, CCND1, and MAF, suggesting that gene organization in t(14;16) patients is different from that in t(4;14) or t(11;14) patients. Translocations between IGH and MAF may arise only in the absence of close proximity to the more frequent partners, as appears to be the case for individuals who develop t(14;16) MM.
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