Immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor gene rearrangement. Implications for the diagnosis of lymphoproliferative disorders.

Recent studies have significantly broadened understanding of immunoglobulin production and T-cell receptor formation at the gene level. A limited number of genes can be rearranged during the course of B-cell or T-cell development to yield unique DNA sequences that will code for specific antibodies and T-cell receptor proteins. Southern blot hybridization analysis allows sensitive examination of lymphocyte DNA for the presence or absence of gene rearrangements. General mechanisms that underlie immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor rearrangement are reviewed, along with the diagnostic applications of detection of gene rearrangement by Southern blot hybridization technique.