It most commonly comes up in reference to Philadelphia chromosome-positive leukemia.
Each chromosome is made up of DNA tightly coiledmany timesaround proteins called histones.
Unless a cell is dividing in two, chromosomes are not visible within the nucleusnot even under a microscope.
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In fact, different species of plants and animals have differing set numbers of chromosomes.
Bone marrow cells that contain the Philadelphia chromosome are often found in chronic myelogenousleukemiaand sometimes found inacute lymphocytic leukemia.
The Philadelphia chromosome is only found in the affected blood cells.
Along with other abnormalities, this enzyme causes the cancer cell to grow uncontrollably.
The identification of the Philadelphia chromosome in the 1960s led to major advancements in the treatment of CML.
Kang ZJ, Liu YF, Xu LZ, et al.The Philadelphia chromosome in leukemogenesis.Chin J Cancer.
2015;65(3):212-220.
Goldman, J. and Daley, G. (2007).
In Melo, J., and Goldman, J.
)Myeloproliferative Disorders(pp.1-13).
