DNA copy number alterations and expression of relevant genes in mouse thymic lymphomas induced by γ-irradiation and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea

The genetic mechanism for the development and progression of a lymphoma is unclear. This study investigated the alterations in the DNA copy number and the expression profiles of the genes located in the altered regions in mouse thymic lymphomas that were induced by two mutagens, γ-irradiation and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU). Microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization was used to precisely delineate the boundaries of the altered region. The copy number gains of chromosomes 4 and 5 were observed only in the radiation-induced lymphomas, and gains of chromosomes 10 and 14 were observed only in the MNU-induced lymphomas. Regional copy number losses in chromosomes 11, 16, and 19 appeared frequently in the radiation-induced lymphomas. The cancer-related genes Pten, Ikaros/Znfn1a1, Ercc4, and Top3b were located in the minimal deletion regions. In particular, the expression levels of the Pten, Top3b, and Ikaros genes were downregulated in both lymphoma groups, but the expression level of Ercc4 was downregulated only in the MNU group. This study also examined the expression levels of Sparc, Cxcl1, and Myc (synonym: c-Myc), which are located in the copy number gained chromosomes. Sparc was upregulated specifically in the radiation group, and Cxcl1 in the MNU group. c-Myc was upregulated in both groups. There was limited correlation between the DNA copy number profiles and the expression of the cancer-related genes in mouse lymphomagenesis. The chromosome aberrations and novel expression profiles of the cancer-related genes within the altered regions may provide important clues to the genetic mechanism for the development of lymphoma.