Molecular biology and genetics: t(8;14) in Burkitt lymphoma: practice question

A Biochemistry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Biochemistry · Molecular biology and genetics: t(8;14) in Burkitt lymphoma

Sample item

A 7-year-old child has a rapidly enlarging jaw mass. Biopsy shows sheets of medium-sized lymphoid cells with tingible-body macrophages giving a starry-sky pattern, and cytogenetics shows t(8;14). What is the molecular consequence of this translocation?

AA BCR-ABL fusion produces a constitutively active tyrosine kinaseBBCL2 comes under the control of the immunoglobulin heavy-chain locusCMYC comes under the control of the immunoglobulin heavy-chain locusDBoth RB1 alleles are lost, releasing E2F from its inhibitor

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. MYC comes under the control of the immunoglobulin heavy-chain locus

In Burkitt lymphoma, t(8;14) places the MYC gene from chromosome 8 next to the immunoglobulin heavy-chain enhancer on chromosome 14. MYC is then overexpressed, driving cell proliferation. Variant translocations involve the light-chain loci on chromosomes 2 and 22.

Option by option

A. A BCR-ABL fusion produces a constitutively active tyrosine kinase
BCR-ABL arises from t(9;22) in chronic myeloid leukaemia.
B. BCL2 comes under the control of the immunoglobulin heavy-chain locus
BCL2 translocation is t(14;18), seen in follicular lymphoma.
C. MYC comes under the control of the immunoglobulin heavy-chain locus (correct)
Correct. Juxtaposition with the heavy-chain locus deregulates MYC expression.
D. Both RB1 alleles are lost, releasing E2F from its inhibitor
RB1 loss is the mechanism of retinoblastoma, not this translocation.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Biochemistry question

What is the answer to this Biochemistry question?

The best answer is C, MYC comes under the control of the immunoglobulin heavy-chain locus. In Burkitt lymphoma, t(8;14) places the MYC gene from chromosome 8 next to the immunoglobulin heavy-chain enhancer on chromosome 14.

Why is "A BCR-ABL fusion produces a constitutively active tyrosine kinase" not the answer?

BCR-ABL arises from t(9;22) in chronic myeloid leukaemia.

Why is "BCL2 comes under the control of the immunoglobulin heavy-chain locus" not the answer?

BCL2 translocation is t(14;18), seen in follicular lymphoma.

Why is "Both RB1 alleles are lost, releasing E2F from its inhibitor" not the answer?

RB1 loss is the mechanism of retinoblastoma, not this translocation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Molecular biology and genetics: t(8;14) in Burkitt lymphoma in Biochemistry. MYC is then overexpressed, driving cell proliferation. Variant translocations involve the light-chain loci on chromosomes 2 and 22.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Molecular biology and genetics: t(8;14) in Burkitt lymphoma?

Build one table of enzyme deficiency, disease, inheritance and key finding, then revise it by spaced recall. Then use the flashcards and the other Biochemistry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.