Whole Genome Sequencing of Marek's Disease Lymphoma Gonadal Tumors and Matched Normal Tissues

To identify somatic mutations in Marek's Disease (MD) tumors, 200 line 6 x 7 F1 chickens were challenged with virulent Marek's Disease virus (MDV) to generate tumors, and 22 of the largest tumor samples (gonadal) from 22 birds were selected and further characterized. The most frequent and recurrent somatic mutations across tumors occurred in IKZF1, the gene encoding the transcription factor Ikaros. Of the MD gonadal tumors tested, 9 of 22 contained somatic nonsynonymous mutations in IKZF1--the only gene to demonstrate enrichment for nonsynonymous somatic mutations and diverse mutation types across tumors.