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Somatic mutation processes at a human minisatellite.

Germline instability at human minisatellites frequently involves complex inter-allelic transfers of repeat units usually restricted to one end of the repeat array and apparently regulated by flanking DNA. In contrast, nothing is known about the structural basis of somatic instability at minisatellites. An electrophoretic size-enrichment strategy was therefore developed at minisatellite MS32 (D1S8) to enable rare abnormal-length mutants to be detected, validated and quantitated in blood DNA by single molecule PCR. Structural analysis of rare mutant alleles in blood revealed simple deletions/duplications of repeat unit blocks located at random along the tandem repeat array, a mode of mutation completely different from that seen in sperm. Furthermore, allele-specific suppression of sperm instability at MS32 did not affect somatic instability. These data suggest that conversion-based minisatellite mutation in sperm is completely germline-specific and most likely meiotic in origin. Somatic instability appears to occur by a separate pathway involving replication slippage or, more likely, intra-allelic unequal crossing over.

Alleles↗

The Knudson's two-hit model and timing of somatic mutation may account for the phenotypic diversity of focal congenital hyperinsulinism.

BACKGROUND: Congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) is associated with focal hyperplasia of endocrine tissue in 40-65% of patients. Focal CHI is sporadic and is caused by a germline, paternally inherited, mutation of the SUR1 (ABCC8) or KIR6.2 (KCNJ11) genes (encoding subunits of the pancreatic ATP-dependent potassium channel) together with somatic maternal haploinsufficiency for 11p15.5. Plurifocal or large forms of focal CHI are a cause of apparent failure of surgery, and their underlying mechanism has not been thoroughly investigated. PATIENTS: We here report two patients with bifocal CHI as evidenced by relapsing hypoglycemia after removal of the first focal lesion and the detection of a second, distinct, focal adenomatous hyperplasia during later surgery (patients 1 and 2) and a patient with a giant focal lesion involving the major part of the pancreas (patient 3). RESULTS: In the three patients, a germline, paternally inherited, mutation of SUR1 was found. In patients 1 and 2, haploinsufficiency for the maternal 11p15.5 region resulted from a somatic deletion specific for each of the focal lesions, as shown by the diversity of deletion break points. In patient 3, an identical somatic maternal 11p15 deletion demonstrated by similar break points was shown in two independent lesion samples, suggesting a very early event during pancreas embryogenesis. CONCLUSION: Individual patients with focal hyperinsulinism may have more than one focal pancreatic lesion due to separate somatic maternal deletion of the 11p15 region. These patients and those with solitary focal lesions may follow the two-hit model described by Knudson. The stage of embryogenesis at which the somatic event occurs may account for the observed histological diversity (early event giant lesion, later event small lesion).

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

Induction of somatic mutation in a human B cell line in vitro.

Both the B cell-surface trigger(s) and the intracellular molecular mechanism(s) of somatic hypermutation in immunoglobulin (Ig) variable region genes remain unknown, partly because of the lack of a simple and reproducible in vitro model. Here, we show that upon surface immunoglobulin cross-linking followed by co-culture with activated cloned T cells, the Burkitt's lymphoma cell line BL2 is induced to mutate its IgV(H) gene. Repeated activation of BL2 cells increased the frequency of mutation. The in vitro-induced mutations, which do not affect the IgM constant region, are point mutations distributed over the entire V(H)DJ(H) gene segment and do not show evidence of antigen-driven selection.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mismatch recognition and uracil excision provide complementary paths to both Ig switching and the A/T-focused phase of somatic mutation.

AID-mediated deamination of dC residues within the immunoglobulin locus generates dU:dG lesions whose resolution leads to class-switch recombination and somatic hypermutation. The dU:dG pair is a mismatch and comprises a base foreign to DNA and is, thus, recognized by proteins from both base excision (uracil-DNA glycosylase, UNG) and mismatch recognition (MSH2/MSH6) pathways. Strikingly, while antibody diversification is perturbed by single deficiency in either UNG or MSH2, combined UNG/MSH2 deficiency leads to a total ablation both of switch recombination and of IgV hypermutation at dA:dT pairs. The initiating dU:dG lesions appear not to be recognized and are simply replicated over. The results indicate that the major pathway for switch recombination occurs through uracil excision with mismatch recognition of dU:dG providing a backup; the second phase of hypermutation (essentially introducing mutations solely at dA:dT pairs) is triggered by mismatch recognition of the dU:dG lesion with uracil excision providing a backup.

Animals↗

Somatic mutation hotspots correlate with DNA polymerase eta error spectrum.

Mutational spectra analysis of 15 immunoglobulin genes suggested that consensus motifs RGYW and WA were universal descriptors of somatic hypermutation. Highly mutable sites, "hotspots", that matched WA were preferentially found in one DNA strand and RGYW hotspots were found in both strands. Analysis of base-substitution hotspots in DNA polymerase error spectra showed that 33 of 36 hotspots in the human polymerase eta spectrum conformed to the WA consensus. This and four other characteristics of polymerase eta substitution specificity suggest that errors introduced by this enzyme during synthesis of the nontranscribed DNA strand in variable regions may contribute to strand-specific somatic hypermutagenesis of immunoglobulin genes at A-T base pairs.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Somatic mutation of the PTEN/MMAC1 gene in breast cancers with microsatellite instability.

The extent to which microsatellite instability (MI) contributes to the etiology of breast cancer has not been established in any large-scale studies. We examined 528 samples of tumor DNA from patients with primary breast cancer for MI, using 14 polymorphic CA-repeat markers. The frequency of MI in these tumors was unexpectedly low (10/528, 1.9%). The ten MI+ tumors were analyzed for mutations in five potential target genes that contain simple repeat sequences (TGFBIIR, IGF2R, hMSH6, BAX and PTEN/MMAC1). A somatic insertion of an extra adenine in the (A)6 region at codon 321-323 (exon 8) of the PTEN/MMAC1 gene, leading to a frame-shift, was identified in one tumor. This observation represented the first documented instance of PTEN/MMAC1 alteration in a MI+ primary breast cancer.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Somatic mutations in stilbene estrogen-induced Syrian hamster kidney tumors identified by DNA fingerprinting.

Kidney tumors from stilbene estrogen (diethylstilbestrol)-treated Syrian hamsters were screened for somatic genetic alterations by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain-reaction (RAPD-PCR) fingerprinting. Fingerprints from tumor tissue were generated by single arbitrary primers and compared with fingerprints for normal tissue from the same animal, as well as normal and tumor tissues from different animals. Sixty one of the arbitrary primers amplified 365 loci that contain approximately 476 kbp of the hamster genome. Among these amplified DNA fragments, 44 loci exhibited either qualitative or quantitative differences between the tumor tissues and normal kidney tissues. RAPD-PCR loci showing decreased and increased intensities in tumor tissue DNA relative to control DNA indicate that loci have undergone allelic losses and gains, respectively, in the stilbene estrogen-induced tumor cell genome. The presence or absence of the amplified DNA fragments indicate homozygous insertions or deletions in the kidney tumor DNA compared to the age-matched normal kidney tissue DNA. Seven of 44 mutated loci also were present in the kidney tissues adjacent to tumors (free of macroscopic tumors). The presence of mutated loci in uninvolved (non-tumor) surrounding tissue adjacent to tumors from stilbene estrogen-treated hamsters suggests that these mutations occurred in the early stages of carcinogenesis. The cloning and sequencing of RAPD amplified loci revealed that one mutated locus had significant sequence similarity with the hamster Cyp1A1 gene. The results show the ability of RAPD-PCR to detect and isolate, in a single step, DNA sequences representing genetic alterations in stilbene estrogen-induced cancer cells, including losses of heterozygosity, and homozygous deletion and insertion mutations. RAPD-PCR provides an alternative molecular approach for studying cancer cytogenetics in stilbene estrogen-induced tumors in humans and experimental models. Although the exact functional importance of mutated loci is unknown, this study indicates that these altered loci may participate during tumor progression in the kidney.

Journal Article↗

Segmental neurofibromatosis is caused by somatic mutation of the neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) gene.

Segmental neurofibromatosis (NF) is generally thought to result from a postzygotic NF1 (neurofibromatosis type 1) gene mutation. However, this has not yet been demonstrated at the molecular level. Using fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) we identified an NF1 microdeletion in a patient with segmental NF in whom café-au-lait spots and freckles are limited to a single body region. The mutant allele was present in a mosaic pattern in cultured fibroblasts from a café-au-lait spot lesion, but was absent in fibroblasts from normal skin as well as in peripheral blood leukocytes. These findings prove the hypothesis that the molecular basis of segmental cutaneous NF is a mutation in the NF1 gene and that the regional distribution of manifestations reflects different cell clones, commensurate with the concept of somatic mosaicism.

Adolescent↗

Ubiquitous somatic mutations in simple repeated sequences reveal a new mechanism for colonic carcinogenesis.

Spontaneous errors in DNA replication have been suggested to play a significant role in neoplastic transformation and to explain the chromosomal alterations seen in cancer cells. A defective replication factor could increase the mutation rate in clonal variants arising during tumour progression, but despite intensive efforts, increases in tumour cell mutation rates have not been unambiguously shown. Here we use an unbiased genomic fingerprinting technique to show that 12 per cent of colorectal carcinomas carry somatic deletions in poly(dA.dT) sequences and other simple repeats. We estimate that cells from these tumours can carry more than 100,000 such mutations. Only tumours with affected poly(dA.dT) sequences carry mutations in the other simple repeats examined, and such mutations can be found in all neoplastic regions of multiple tumours from the same patient, including adenomas. Tumours with these mutations show distinctive genotypic and phenotypic features. We conclude that these mutations reflect a previously undescribed form of carcinogenesis in the colon (predisposition to which may be inherited) mediated by a mutation in a DNA replication factor resulting in reduced fidelity for replication or repair (a 'mutator mutation').

Adult↗

Somatic mutation of the T15 heavy chain gives rise to an antibody with autoantibody specificity.

The S107 IgA kappa-chain myeloma cell line makes an antiphosphocholine antibody of the T15 idiotype. A somatic mutant of this line, U4, makes an immunoglobulin with a single amino acid substitution of an alanine for a glutamic acid at residue 35. This single amino acid change results in a loss of phosphocholine binding activity. However, the U4 immunoglobulin has acquired reactivity with a variety of phosphorylated macromolecules, including double-stranded DNA, protamine, and cardiolipin. Thus, a single amino acid change in the T15 heavy chain can transform an antibacterial antibody into an antibody that resembles the autoantibodies seen in mice and man with autoimmune disease.

Animals↗

The potential genotoxicity of sorbates: effects on cell cycle in vitro in V79 cells and somatic mutations in Drosophila.

Sodium sorbate, potassium sorbate and an oxidation product of sodium sorbate, 4,5-epoxy-2-hexenoic acid, were tested for their genotoxic potential in cultured V79 Chinese hamster cells and in somatic cells of Drosophila melanogaster (wing spot test, SMART). In Drosophila only the epoxide showed a weak genotoxic effect. In V79 cells, freshly prepared sodium sorbate solutions at the highest concentrations only (2.5 mg/ml, 24 hr exposure) arrested mitosis at the G2/M cell cycle phase and potassium sorbate (2.5 mg/ml) had no effect. This arrest was reversible after a 24-hr recovery interval. Sodium sorbate solutions stored for up to 208 days were cytotoxic at 2.5 mg/ml, induced cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase and increased cellular protein content, indicating an action similar to spindle poisoning and a chemical stress reaction (adaptation processes, modification of transcription). Potassium sorbate solutions stored for 28 days were also cytotoxic. With 4,5-epoxy-2-hexenoic acid at concentrations up to 0.01 mg/ml no effects were seen. At higher concentrations (at least 0.1 mg/ml) cell killing was observed, which probably resulted from unphysiologically lowered pH in the culture medium. Overall, the results are interpreted as an indication of a weak genotoxic potential of stored sodium sorbate solutions. Thus, sorbic acid and its potassium salt at the concentrations used for food preservation can still be considered as safe for human consumption.

Animals↗

Hypermutation is observed only in antibody H chain V region transgenes that have recombined with endogenous immunoglobulin H DNA: implications for the location of cis-acting elements required for somatic mutation.

Mice with transgenes containing an antibody H chain V region (VHDJH) gene were used in an analysis of the cis-acting elements required for hypermutation of immunoglobulin (Ig) V genes. These transgenes can somatically recombine with endogenous IgH DNA, leading to the formation of functional heavy (H) chains partially encoded by the transgenic VHDJH. The transgenomes in the five different lines of mice analyzed contain as little as 150 bp, and as much as 2.8 kb of natural DNA flanking the 5' side of the VH and either 1.5 or 2.3 kb (including the intronic enhancer and 5' matrix attachment region [MAR]) flanking the 3' side of VH. Hybridomas were constructed from immunized transgenic mice, and transgenes present in these hybridomas that had or had not recombined to form functional H chain loci were sequenced. The data obtained show that: (a) the recombined transgenes contain hypermutated VH genes; and (b) among such transgenes, even those containing only 150 bp of natural VH 5' flanking sequence and several kilobases of 5' plasmid vector sequence display a frequency, distribution, and type of mutation characteristic of conventional IgH loci. The data also indicate that transgenic VHDJH genes that have not recombined with endogenous IgH DNA are not substrates for hypermutation, even if they are flanked by 2.8 kb of natural 5' DNA, and 2.3 kb of natural 3' DNA, including the JH2-JH4 region, a MAR, and the intronic enhancer. Collectively, the data suggest that sequences 5' of the VH promoter are dispensable, a VH promoter and the intronic IgH enhancer region are not sufficient, and a region(s) within or 3' of the IgH constant region locus is requisite, for hypermutation of Ig VH transgenes.

Animals↗

Somatic mutation theory.

The evidence is reviewed that supports the role of genetic lesions in carcinogenesis; such lesions may be initiating events in the multistep process leading to clinically detectable tumor. Other possible manifestations of alterations in the hereditary material of somatic cells are discussed; DNA damage may lead to benign tumors responsible for atherosclerosis, to neurological deterioration, and to senescence of the individual. During embryonal development, transplacental mutagens may cause somatic mosaicism in the fetus, which may manifest as congenital malformations, spontaneous abortions, and childhood cancers.

Aging↗

A new memory CD27-IgG+ B cell population in peripheral blood expressing VH genes with low frequency of somatic mutation.

In humans, up to 40% of peripheral B cells express CD27 and have hypermutated variable regions in their Ig genes. The CD27+ B cells are considered to be derived from germinal center following specific antigenic stimulation. Actually, somatic hypermutation in Ig genes and CD27 expression are hallmarks of memory B cells. However, the blood IgM+ IgD+ CD27+ B cells were recently associated to splenic marginal zone B cells and proposed to be a subset distinct from germinal center-derived memory B cells showing premutated Igs. The results presented herein further weaken this bona fide association because B cells expressing surface IgG, but not CD27, were found in human blood. Representing 1-4% of all peripheral B cells and approximately 25% of the IgG+ blood B cells, this population expressed mutated IgG genes showing antigenic selection characteristics but with lower mutation frequencies than that of CD27+ IgG+ B cells. However, their morphology and phenotype were similar to that of CD27+ IgG+ cells. Interestingly, the proportion of IgG2 over IgG3 transcripts was opposite in CD27- IgG+ and CD27+ IgG+ cells, suggesting distinct functions or origins. Overall, these findings extend the memory B cell reservoir beyond the CD27+ compartment and could provide further insights into B cell disorders of unknown etiology.

Antigens, CD19↗

Parental origin of germ-line and somatic mutations in the retinoblastoma gene.

Segregation analysis of polymorphic sites within the retinoblastoma (RB) gene and on chromosome 13, as well as the parental origin of the lost allele in the tumor, were analyzed in 24 families with RB patients. Four mutant alleles transmitted through the germ-line and seven de novo germ-line mutant alleles were identified in 11 patients with hereditary RB. Segregation analysis within the RB gene and on chromosome 13 was useful for DNA diagnosis of susceptibility to RB in relatives of hereditary patients, even if mutations were not identified. All seven de novo germ-line mutant alleles were paternally derived. The bias toward the paternal allele for de novo germ-line mutations of the RB gene was statistically significant. Seven paternal alleles and six maternal alleles were lost in 13 non-hereditary RB tumors with no bias in the parental origin of the somatic allele loss. These results suggest that the physical environment or a deficiency in DNA repair during spermatogenesis may be associated with significant risk factors for de novo germ-line mutations.

Alleles↗

Allelic loss and gain, but not genomic instability, as the major somatic mutation in primary hepatocellular carcinoma.

To identify genetic abnormalities in primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we performed microsatellite analysis (MSA) on 60 Chinese HCC specimens. Utilizing a semi-quantitative MSA and 292 highly polymorphic markers spanning all 22 autosomes, we found that somatic allelic imbalance (AI) occurred frequently in HCC. To evaluate the nature of the AI, comparative genomic hybridization was performed on 20 HCC specimens. The combined use of these two methods revealed frequent allelic loss on 17p, 9p21-p23, 4q, 16q21-q23.3, 13q, 8p21-p23, and 6q24-q27, whereas there was frequent allelic gain on 1q, 17q, and 8q24. The region with the highest incidence of genomic imbalance was 17p13 (65%), followed by 9p21-p23 (55%), 4q (35-51%), 16q21-q23.3 (52%), 17p12 (49%), 13q (39-46%), 8p21-p23 (41-45%), 8q24 (41%), and 1q32 (40%). In addition, aberrations of 19p13.3, 16p13.3, 13q33-q34, 9q13-31, and 7q were reported for the first time. The presence of a close correlation of 17p13 deletion with abnormalities of some other loci implies that 17p13 could play a crucial role in oncogenesis. Interestingly, microsatellite instability was rarely seen in our patients, in contrast to that observed in European HCC samples.

Adult↗

Somatic mutation of immunoglobulin lambda chains: a segment of the major intron hypermutates as much as the complementarity-determining regions.

The rate and nature of hypermutation of immunoglobulin genes are of prime importance in the affinity maturation of antibodies. Although a considerable body of information has been gathered for kappa light chains, there is much less data for lambda chains. We have derived a large data base of somatic mutants of mouse lambda 1 light chains from Peyer's patches germinal center B cells. The endogenous lambda 1 genes mutate at a rate comparable to that previously found for a kappa transgene (V kappa ox1). There are intrinsic hot spots of mutation common to both in-frame and out-of-frame rearrangements; these hot spots cluster in hypermutating domains. In contrast to the pattern seen for V kappa Ox1, the hot spot clusters are found not only in complementarity-determining region (CDR)1 but also in CDR2 and CDR3; mutations also cluster in the joining/constant region intron. The differences between the pattern of mutations in V kappa Ox1 and lambda 1 light chains are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Activation of an N-ras gene in acute myeloblastic leukemia through somatic mutation in the first exon.

A transforming N-ras gene has been cloned from acute myeloblastic leukemia bone marrow cells, in parallel with the N-ras gene derived from fibroblasts of the same patient. N-ras derived from fibroblasts lacked focus-forming activity in NIH/3T3 cells, indicating that gene activation in the leukemia cells must have occurred by a somatic event. Construction of chimeric molecules between the transforming and the normal N-ras genes and subsequent biological and sequence analysis of these constructs revealed that the transforming gene was altered by a point mutation changing amino acid 12 of the N-ras protein from glycine to aspartic acid.

Alleles↗