NF1 gene mutations and loss of heterozygosity in constitutional and tumor tissues
- Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL (United States); and others
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common autosomal dominant disorder characterized by neurofibromas, cafe-au-lait spots, and Lisch nodules. NF1 patients are at increased risk for certain types of malignancies such as brain tumors, sarcomas, and leukemias. NF1 is caused by disrupting mutations of the NF1 gene (17q11.2), with half of cases caused by new mutation. Less than 50 constitutional mutations have thus far been reported, with only one recurring. We are pursuing mutation analysis in germline and tumor tissues from NF1 patients (and non-NF1 tumors) by heteroduplex analysis (HDA) and SSCP, simultaneously testing for large deletions by Southern blots and loss-of-heterozygosity (LOH) studies. HDA has so far identified 18 exon mutations/variants in 110 unrelated patients (3/4 of exons tested), including splice mutations, insertions, deletions, and point changes. RT-PCR analysis in our four clearly-inactivating mutations showed that all four mutant alleles are expressed. This suggests that aberrant forms of the protein (neurofibromin) may be produced, which may shed light on yet-unknown functions. In a study of 10 new-mutations parent-child sets, one very mildly-affected patient showed LOH of an entire NF1 allele, in contrast to other patients reported who have similar deletions and a severe phenotype. This mutation is materally-derived, which is unusual given that over 90% of new mutations are thought to be of paternal origin. Preliminary LOH studies in one new-mutation patient indicate large independent somatic deletions involving the maternal NF1 allele in several neurofibromas, implicating the two-hit tumor suppressor system in neurofibroma formation. no other losses on chromosome 17 are evident, and blood and tumor karyotypes are normal. We are attempting to identify the germline mutation, confirm the somatic findings, and find the boundaries of the deletions.
- OSTI ID:
- 133469
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-941009--
- Journal Information:
- American Journal of Human Genetics, Journal Name: American Journal of Human Genetics Journal Issue: Suppl.3 Vol. 55; ISSN AJHGAG; ISSN 0002-9297
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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