Absence of Bcl10 gene mutations in Ewing's sarcomas

The Bcl10 gene was recently isolated from the breakpoint region of t(1;14)( p22;q32) in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas. Somatic mut ations of Bcl10 were found in not only t(1;14)-bearing MALT lymphomas, but also a wide range of other tumors. To clarify the actual frequency and spec trum of Bcl10 mutations in primary malignant Ewing's sarcomas, we examined 31 cases of Ewing's sarcomas. Polymerase chain reaction single-stranded con formation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and sequencing analyses were done. No Bcl 10 mutations were found in our series of Ewing's sarcomas. While screening for mutations, we found three polymorphisms at codons 8 exon I of the Bcl10 gene. Our results strongly suggest that somatic mutations of Bcl10 are ext remely rare in Ewing's sarcomas and do not commonly contribute to their mol ecular pathogenesis.