Translocated c-myc genes produce chimeric transcripts containing antisense sequences of the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus in mouse plasmacytomas.

Immunoglobulin heavy chain gene antisense transcripts contribute to the expression of translocated c-myc genes in several murine plasma cell tumors. These novel, chimeric transcripts comprise 5-50% of steady-state c-myc mRNA. Two transcripts isolated as cDNA clones use the normal splice donor and acceptor sites within the c-myc first intron. Another cDNA clone has the potential for encoding two types of c-myc proteins. The significance of immunoglobulin heavy chain gene antisense transcripts and transcriptional competence of the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus for c-myc expression is discussed.