Chromosome-specific patterns of mitomycin C-induced rearrangements in human lymphocytes.

A total of 1,319 chromosomal breaks and rearrangements, induced in human lymphocytes by mitomycin C, was investigated. Patterns of "preference" and "avoidance" among the partners of chromosomal rearrangements were easily discerned. The centromeric regions of chromosomes 1, 9, and 16 were most frequently involved in rearrangements that tended to occur between homologs. The acrocentric chromosomes prefer rearrangements within their own group, including homologs, and avoid involvement with the centromeric region of chromosome No. 9 (9c). Regions designated as "rarely rearranging" avoid the centromeres of 1 and 9 and prefer rearrangements within their own groups. No correlation could be demonstrated between the frequency of open breaks and rearrangements in the same chromosomal region.