3p13 region: A possible location of a tumor suppressor gene involved in uveal melanoma

To contribute to a better understanding of the role of chromosomal rearrang ements in the tumorigenesis of uveal melanoma, we present a case in which a structural aberration of chromosome 3 could indicate the specific region i n which an uveal melanoma tumor suppressor gene could be located. We obtain ed a primary cell culture, characterized by cytogenetic study, through GTG- and CBG-banding techniques by using a mechanical dissection of a tumor sam ple obtained from an uveal melanoma. Cytogenetic analysis performed in the primary cell culture highlighted the presence of a structural rearrangement involving chromosomes 3 and 22. A t(3;22)(p13;p11) was observed as the onl y present clonal aberration. The 3p13 breakpoint involved in the aberration observed in our case could be essential in restricting the candidate regio n for the locus of an uveal melanoma tumor suppressor gene located on chrom osome 3. (C) Elsevier Science Inc., 1998.