The Southern Blot: Application to the B-and T-Cell Gene Rearrangement Test

Abstract

The B- and T-cell gene rearrangement test detects monoclonal populations of lymphocytes and distinguishes benign from neoplastic conditions. Deoxyribonucleic acid probes to the genes encoding a T-cell receptor and immunoglobulin heavy and light chains assess the clonality of certain conditions. The test can detect a monoclonal population, which usually indicates a neoplastic condition. B and T cell specific probes that detect gene rearrangements distinguish between B- and T-cell neoplasms, which may have implications for therapy choice. The test also confirms diagnosis and defines a unique marker for a given neoplasm, which can be used to detect relapse, and monitor therapy. Unique gene rearrangement bands can be monitored during therapy and disease remission to document the chemotherapeutic sensitivity or resistance of a specific monoclonal cellular population, the recurrence of an original neoplastic clone, or the appearance of a new monoclonal population. The test is performed by Southern blotting.