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S Olschwang

Publications and source records attributed to S Olschwang.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Detection of exon deletions and duplications of the mismatch repair genes in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer families using multiplex polymerase chain reaction of short fluorescent fragments.

Large genomic deletions within the mismatch repair MLH1 and MSH2 genes have been identified in families with the hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) syndrome, and their detection represents a technical problem. To facilitate their detection, we developed a simple semiquantitative procedure based on the multiplex PCR of short fluorescent fragments. This method allowed us to confirm in HNPCC families three known deletions of MLH1 or MSH2 and to detect in 19 HNPCC families, in which analysis of mismatch repair genes using classical methods had revealed no alteration, a deletion of exon 5 and a duplication of MSH2 involving exons 9 and 10. The presence of such duplications, the frequency of which is probably underestimated, must be considered in HNPCC families in which conventional screening methods have failed to detect mutations.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Germline mutations of the APC gene in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis-associated thyroid carcinoma: results from a European cooperative study.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is one extracolonic manifestation affecting about 1-2% of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Ninety-seven patients with FAP-associated PTC have previously been reported, including 6 pairs of siblings. During a European collaborative study, 15 patients with FAP-associated PTC were collected. All 15 patients were females. The mean age at thyroidectomy was 24.9 yr (range, 19-39 yr). In 13 subjects, APC germline mutations had been detected; they were at codons 140, 593, 778, 976, 993, 1061 (n = 5), 1105 (n = 1), and 1309 (n = 2), respectively. A review of the literature added 11 other patients with FAP-associated PTC and detection of germline APC mutations; they were at codons 313 (n = 2), 698 (n = 3), 848 (n = 2), 1209 (n = 2), 1061 (n = 1), and 1105 (n = 1), respectively. The latter led to formation of the same stop codon (TAA) at 1125-1126 as the mutation at codon 1061. Therefore, 21 of 24 mutations were in exon 15 in the genomic area usually associated with congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (CHRPE), i.e. codons 463-1387. Typical CHRPE was found in 17 of 18 affected patients who had specific screening. Interestingly, 22 of the 24 patients had their mutation out of the mutation cluster region (codons 1286-1513), which is currently considered the hot spot mutation area, in particular for extracolonic manifestations of FAP. The difference in the incidence of germline mutations before and after codon 1220 between PTC and non-PTC FAP patients was statistically significant (P<0.05) for both patients and kindreds (P = 0.005 and P = 0.049, respectively). Even if most mutations were scattered throughout the entire 5'-portion of exon 15, 8 of 23 patients (6 with mutation at 1061 and 2 with mutation at 1105; i.e. more than one third) had the same truncated protein product. The awareness that patients with PTC usually have APC mutations that cluster in a well defined genomic area, in addition to giving a deeper insight into gene function, could facilitate both earlier diagnosis and better treatment. In particular, intensive screening for thyroid nodules after age 15 yr is recommended when a single patient or an entire kindred have CHRPE and/or mutations in the 5'-portion of exon 15.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗

Fine deletion mapping of chromosome 8p in non-small-cell lung carcinoma.

Several somatic genetic alterations have been described in non-small-cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC). Recurrent chromosomal deletions have suggested the presence of tumor-suppressor genes specifically involved in lung carcinogenesis. For one of these, 2 non-overlapping regions have been proposed on the short arm of chromosome 8, encompassing the LPL and NEFL genes. The LPL region has been extensively studied in NSCLC and other cancer types. Two genes, N33 and PRLTS, have been identified, but the small number of mutations excludes their involvement in the vast majority of tumors. In order to delineate a reliable region of deletional overlap on chromosome 8p in NSCLC, a series of 77 NSCLC was studied for 34 microsatellite polymorphisms distributed on chromosome 8p, using multiplex-PCR amplification. After purification of tumor nuclei by flow cytometry based on either the abnormal DNA index or the presence of a high expression of cytokeratin, allelic losses on chromosome 8p were observed in 39% of cases. Measurement of DNA index showed that 62% of tumors were hyperploid; allelic losses were more frequent in hyperploid than in diploid tumors (54% vs. 14%; p < 10(-4)). Deletions of part of the short arm were observed in 7 instances. Our data allow definition of an interval of common deletion, flanked by the loci D8S511 and D8S1992, where the putative tumor-suppressor gene might be localized.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung↗

Deletion mapping of the tumor suppressor locus involved in colorectal cancer on chromosome band 8p21.

Several somatic genetic alterations have been described in colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Recurrent chromosomal deletions have suggested the presence of tumor suppressor genes (TSG) specifically involved in colorectal carcinogenesis. For one of them, two non-overlapping regions have been proposed on the short arm of chromosome 8, encompassing the LPL and NEFL genes. The short arm of chromosome 8 has been extensively studied in colorectal cancer and in other cancer types. Both regions have been reported as candidate loci for a TSG. In order to delineate a reliable region of deletional overlap on chromosome arm 8p in CRC, a series of 365 CRC samples was selected for the absence of microsatellite instability (RER, replication error); tumor and normal matched DNAs were studied for 54 microsatellite polymorphisms distributed on 8p using multiplex-PCR amplification. After purification of tumor nuclei by flow cytometry based on either the abnormal DNA index or the presence of a high expression of cytokeratin, complete allelic losses on 8p were observed in 48% of cases. Measurement of the DNA index showed that 88% of RER tumors were hyperploid. Complete allelic losses of only part of the short arm were observed on 26 occasions. These data allowed us to define a 1 cM interval of common deletion, flanked by the loci D8S1771 and NEFL, where a putative TSG may be localized.

Animals↗

Germline mutation and genome instability.

Colorectal tumorigenesis has been associated with the progressive acquisition of a variety of genomic alterations in neoplastic cells. In 5-10% of cases, a strong family history of cancer suggests a major predisposition, either familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or HNPCC syndrome. In 1987, the gene responsible for FAP was localized on chromosome 5q. In 1991, the International Collaborative Group on HNPCC set stringent criteria for the diagnosis of HNPCC, to homogenize families that should be entered in large linkage analyses. In the past five years, five MMR genes could be identified as the site of germline mutations associated with a HNPCC syndrome (MSH2, MLH1, PMS1, PMS2, and MSH6). The TGFbeta RII gene has been found mutated at the germline level in a small number of HNPCC patients. The DNA mismatch repair pathway is essential for the correct maintenance of genetic information. The slippage occurs usually at microsatellite loci and the defect of one MMR gene leads to the accumulation of replication errors in such deficient cells. The tumours that exhibit the highest frequency of RER at microsatellite loci, thus termed RER+, account for 10-15% of all colorectal cancers, and for 92% of those developed in a context of a HNPCC syndrome.

Animals↗

Somatically acquired genetic alterations in flat colorectal neoplasias.

Somatically acquired mutations in several genes have been reported as playing an important role during colorectal tumorigenesis. Two alternative groups of carcinomas, termed LOH+ and RER+, have been defined on the basis of their genetic anomalies, a biallelic inactivation of the APC or the TGF-betaRII genes, occurring as an alternative, in LOH+ or RER+ tumors. It is a generally accepted hypothesis that most of colorectal cancers (CRC) develop from a pre-existing adenomatous polyp. Such benign lesions are usually exophytic polyps, a small proportion of adenomas having been described as flat lesions. The latter histological category has thus been proposed to bear specific genetic alterations. In order to examine this hypothesis, we have characterized a series of 44 flat colorectal neoplasias for their RER status and for somatic APC, KRAS and TGF-betaRII genes mutations. Flat colorectal neoplasias were found to be of the RER+ subtype in 22% of cases, all of them exhibiting a TGF-betaRII mutation. A mutation of the APC and KRAS genes has been found in 42% and 4% of tumors, respectively, none of these tumors being of the RER+ subtype. With the exception of a low KRAS mutation rate, flat adenomas appear to follow tumorigenesis pathways very similar to those identified in exophytic adenomas and carcinomas.

Adenoma↗

A serine/threonine kinase gene defective in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome.

Studies of hereditary cancer syndromes have contributed greatly to our understanding of molecular events involved in tumorigenesis. Here we investigate the molecular background of the Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS), a rare hereditary disease in which there is predisposition to benign and malignant tumours of many organ systems. A locus for this condition was recently assigned to chromosome 19p. We have identified truncating germline mutations in a gene residing on chromosome 19p in multiple individuals affected by PJS. This previously identified but unmapped gene, LKB1, has strong homology to a cytoplasmic Xenopus serine/threonine protein kinase XEEK1, and weaker similarity to many other protein kinases. Peutz-Jeghers syndrome is therefore the first cancer-susceptibility syndrome to be identified that is due to inactivating mutations in a protein kinase.

AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases↗

Germline mutation profile of the VHL gene in von Hippel-Lindau disease and in sporadic hemangioblastoma.

von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is a dominantly inherited disorder predisposing those afflicted to hemangioblastomas of the central nervous system and the retina, renal cell carcinomas, pheochromocytomas, and pancreatic tumors. The disease has been associated with mutations of the VHL gene. The screening of 92 unrelated patients with VHL disease for point mutations in this gene revealed 61 DNA variants. In addition, a search for EcoR1 rearrangements revealed germline anomalies in 5 patients. The 61 variants could be subdivided in 20 mutations predicted to alter the open reading frame (8 nonsense mutations, 8 frame shift mutations, and 4 mutations in consensus splicing sites) and 43 DNA sequence variants of a priori unknown biological consequence (4 in-frame insertions or deletions, 36 missense mutations, and 3 apparently silent variations). The 3' end of the coding sequence of the VHL gene, which encodes the Elongin binding domain was the site of 5 of 20 truncating mutations (25%) and of 18 of 41 DNA variants (44%) causing uncertain functional impairment. A similar screening in 18 patients with sporadic hemangioblastoma revealed 2 missense DNA variants. In order to corroborate this latter observation, a systematic screening for germline alteration of the VHL gene might be performed in a larger series of sporadic hemangioblastoma. If this preliminary result is confirmed, more than 10% of sporadic hemangioblastoma might be related to a mild VHL disease, thus a follow-up program similar to that recommended in cases of VHL disease should probably be discussed in the corresponding families.

Adult↗

Genetic alterations in thyroid carcinoma associated with familial adenomatous polyposis: clinical implications and suggestions for early detection.

Germ-line mutations of the adenomatous polyposis (APC) gene, responsible for familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) were analyzed in 15 patients with FAP-associated papillary thyroid carcinomas: 13 had the mutation between codons 778 and 1309 (exon 15), 1 at codon 593 (exon 14), and 1 at codon 140 (exon 3). Therefore APC gene mutations clustered in the genomic area associated with congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (CHRPE) (codons 463-1387). Ocular patches were documented in 12 patients. In particular, 4 of the 15 patients, all women with a mean age of 23.5 (range 20-32), were found during the study of 15 consecutive kindreds who had undergone systematic screening for extra-colonic manifestations. Three of them belonged to the same kindred and were asymptomatic. These four patients were also screened for loss of heterozygosity of APC in the thyroid tumoral tissue. No biallelic inactivation of the APC gene was found. In contrast, three of these four patients had activation of the ret-PTC oncogene. In particular, there was activation of the ret-PTC1 isoform, a chimeric gene resulting from fusion of a gene named H4 with the RET gene. On histologic examination, three of the four patients showed Hashimoto-like lymphocytic infiltration. Present data suggest that: (1) the incidence of FAP-associated thyroid cancer probably has been underestimated in the past; (2) intensive screening could detect a larger than expected number of thyroid carcinomas; (3) systematic screening is recommended in patients with ocular patches and genetic mutation in exon 15; (4) Hashimoto-like findings do not exclude carcinoma but are a frequent accompanying finding; (5) despite frequent multicentricity and early lymph node involvement, FAP-associated thyroid tumors seem to have an excellent prognosis, in particular those showing ret-PTC activation.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗

Peutz-Jeghers disease: most, but not all, families are compatible with linkage to 19p13.3.

A locus for Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) was recently mapped to chromosome 19p13.3. Each of 12 families studied was compatible with linkage to the marker D19S886. We have analysed 20 further families and found that the majority of these are consistent with a PJS gene on 19p13.3. Three families were, however, unlinked to 19p13.3 and none of the available PJS polyps from these families showed allele loss at D19S886. There were no obvious clinicopathological or ethnic differences between the 19p13.3 linked and unlinked families. There appears, therefore, to be a major PJS locus on chromosome 19p13.3 and the possibility exists of a minor locus (or loci) elsewhere.

Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19↗

[Familial adenomatous polyposis coli in the Czech population. I. Detection of an additional 3 mutations out of a total of 7 in exon 15 of the APC gene].

BACKGROUND: Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal dominant inherited disease characterized by multiple adenomatous polyps in the colon which progress to carcinoma. FAP is caused by germ-line mutation of the tumor-suppressor adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene, the structure and coding sequence of which have been known from 1991. The diagnosis of FAP has classically been based on the detection of multiple colorectal adenomas, often after carcinoma development. Presymptomatic genetic testing for the presence of an allele carrying the FAP mutation is now possible using a variety of techniques. METHODS AND RESULTS: The present paper is the first part of an analysis of 37 different Czech families with 83 members affected by FAP. Our goal is to identify the mutation characteristic for each family for early diagnosis of FAP. We screened clinically manifest representatives of nine families for mutations in exon 15 of the APC gene. First, we searched for the mutation hot spots (codons 1061 and 1309, respectively) and later for the entire exon 15. Denatured gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of amplified regions ov exon 15 has been used to identify DNA sequence variations followed by sequencing verification. In seven patients, seven different mutations in exon 15 of APC gene, four deletion mutants (5-base deletions in codons 1061 and 1309, 1-base deletion in codons 759 and 7-base deletion combined with a 2-base insertion in codon 712), one insertion mutation (1-base/A/insertion in codon 1554) and two point mutations (C to T and C to A substitutions in codons 737 and 935, respectively, in both cases leading to formation of stop codons) have been found. CONCLUSIONS: From seven different mutations found, 4 mutations have been previously described (mutations in codons 935, 1061, 1309 and 1554), 3 mutations in the APC gene are described here for the first time, namely the mutations in codons 712, 759 and 767.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗