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Large genomic rearrangements and germline epimutations in Lynch syndrome
Author(s) -
Gylling Annette,
Ridanpää Maaret,
Vierimaa Outi,
Aittomäki Kristiina,
Avela Kristiina,
Kääriäinen Helena,
Laivuori Hannele,
Pöyhönen Minna,
Sallinen SatuLeena,
WallgrenPettersson Carina,
Järvinen Heikki J.,
Mecklin JukkaPekka,
Peltomäki Paivi
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
international journal of cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.475
H-Index - 234
eISSN - 1097-0215
pISSN - 0020-7136
DOI - 10.1002/ijc.24230
Subject(s) - lynch syndrome , mlh1 , multiplex ligation dependent probe amplification , msh2 , msh6 , genetics , germline mutation , biology , population , germline , genetic testing , mutation , cancer , colorectal cancer , dna mismatch repair , medicine , gene , exon , environmental health
In one‐third of families fulfilling the Amsterdam criteria for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer/Lynch syndrome, and a majority of those not fulfilling these criteria point mutations in DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes are not found. The role of large genomic rearrangements and germline epimutations in MLH1 , MSH2 and MSH6 was evaluated in 2 such cohorts. All 45 index patients were mutation‐negative by genomic sequencing and testing for a prevalent population‐specific founder mutation, and selectively lacked MMR protein expression in tumor tissue. Eleven patients (“research cohort”) represented 11 mutation‐negative families among 81 verified or putative Lynch syndrome families from the nation‐wide Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Registry of Finland. Thirty‐four patients from 33 families (“clinic‐based cohort”) represented suspected Lynch syndrome patients tested for MMR gene mutations in a diagnostic laboratory during 2004–2007. Multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and methylation‐specific (MS)‐MLPA were used to detect rearrangements and epimutations, respectively. Large genomic deletions occurred in 12/45 patients (27%), being present in 3/25 (12%), 9/16 (56%) and 0/4 (0%) among index patients lacking MLH1, MSH2 or MSH6 expression, respectively. Germline epimutations of MLH1 , one of which coexisted with a genomic deletion, occurred in 2 patients (4%) and were accompanied by monoallelic expression in mRNA. Large genomic deletions (mainly MSH2 ) and germline epimutations ( MLH1 ) together explain a significant fraction of point mutation‐negative families suspected of Lynch syndrome and are associated with characteristic clinical and family features. Our findings have important implications in the diagnosis and management of such families. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.