Translocations

Translocations refer to movements from one location to another, and the term is used across several disciplines. In biology, translocation describes a chromosomal rearrangement in which a segment of DNA is relocated to a different chromosome or to a different place on the same chromosome.

In genetics, chromosomal translocations are structural rearrangements that involve exchanging material between chromosomes or moving a segment to a new genomic context. The main forms are reciprocal translocations, where two chromosomes exchange segments, and Robertsonian translocations, which fuse two acrocentric chromosomes. Outcomes can be balanced, with no net genetic material lost or gained and often few or no symptoms, or unbalanced, which can cause developmental disorders or miscarriages. Detection methods include conventional karyotyping, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and chromosomal microarray analysis.

In medicine, chromosomal translocations can produce fusion genes that drive disease. Notable examples include the BCR-ABL fusion in chronic myeloid leukemia and various other fusion events in leukemias and lymphomas. Such translocations serve as diagnostic markers and frequently guide targeted therapies.

In ecology and conservation, translocation is the deliberate relocation of organisms to new habitats to establish, restore, or augment populations. This process involves risk assessment, quarantine measures, genetic and ecological considerations, and ongoing monitoring to assess success and prevent unintended impacts on recipient ecosystems.

In plant biology, translocation also refers to the long-distance movement of nutrients and signaling molecules within a plant, chiefly through the phloem and xylem.