Objective: To explore the mechanism of bcr/abl fusion gene formation in view of its biological stereology.
Methods: Assisted by fluorescent in situ hybridization combined with confocal laser scanning microscopy, we observed the effect of gamma-ray exposure on three-dimensional distribution of bcr and abl genes in the interphase nucleus of IM-9 cell line.
Results: In interphase nuclei of IM-9 cells, abl and bcr genes retained their own definite distribution patterns that were dynamically and regularly modulated along with the phases of the cell cycle. gamma-ray exposure, however, produced shortened distances between the 2 genes.
Conclusion: The accessibility of abl and bcr genes to each other in the interphase nuclei is one of the factors for bcr/acl fusion gene formation.