These mutant mice carry a His6-tagged Myc gene (cDNA) sequence inserted in the endogenous immunoglobulin heavy chain complex (Igh) locus, which mimics the human endemic Burkitt lymphoma t(8;14)(q24;q32) translocation and mouse plasmacytoma T(12;15) translocation.
The His6-tagged Myc is overexpressed in B-cells throughout B-cell development, as detected by FACS analysis. Tumor-free heterozygotes, 4 to 6 months of age, on a mixed B6;129X1 background, exhibit increased B-cell proliferation and apoptosis and have enlarged lymph nodes and spleen due to follicular hyperplasia. 68% of mutant mice between 6 and 21 months of age develop mature B-cell tumors that are IgM and BCL6 positive. Approximately half of the tumors detected are lymphoblastic B-cell lymphomas that are Burkitt-like in appearance and one fifth as plasmacytomas. The plasmacytomas occur in gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), especially in the mesenteric lymph node and Peyer's patches. Mice that are homozygous for the targeted mutation are viable and fertile.
This mutant mouse strain may be useful in studies of Burkitt Lymphoma and B-cell and plasma cell neoplasia.
In an attempt to offer alleles on well-characterized or multiple genetic backgrounds, alleles are frequently moved to a genetic background different from that on which an allele was first characterized. This is the case for the strain above. It should be noted that the phenotype could vary from that originally described. We will modify the strain description if necessary as published results become available.
