Identification of a subclass of double minute chromosomes containing centromere‐associated DNA

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Abstract
In a study of abnormal chromosomes in non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) cells we have identified one case which contained extrachromosomal chromatin bodies that, on the basis of their morphology and negative C‐banding, appeared to be double minute chromosomes (dmin). However, fluorescence in‐situ hybridization (FISH) analysis using an X‐specific centromeric alphoid repeat probe and a pan‐centromere probe, clearly demonstrated the presence of centromere‐associated DNA in these dmin. FISH analysis with the pan‐centromere probe of the dmin in neuroblastoma and sarcoma cells failed to reveal the presence of centromere‐associated DNA, but analysis of two cases of acute myeloid leukaemia cells revealed centromere‐associated DNA in 25% of their dmin. These data indicate the existence of dmin that contain centromere‐associated DNA and suggest that such dmin might represent a new class of extrachromosomal chromatin bodies. Genes Chromosom Cancer 10:139–142 (1994).