Brief Article Open Access
Copyright ©2012 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Feb 28, 2012; 18(8): 814-820
Published online Feb 28, 2012. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i8.814
Germline mutation analysis of MLH1 and MSH2 in Malaysian Lynch syndrome patients
Mohd Nizam Zahary, Ravindran Ankathil, Human Genome Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia Health Campus, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
Gurjeet Kaur, Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, University Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia
Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Alor Star, 05460 Alor Star, Kedah, Malaysia
Harjinder Singh, Department of Medicine, Hospital Queen Elizabeth, 88586 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Venkatesh R Naik, Department of Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia Health Campus, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
Author contributions: Zahary MN collected samples, performed research and drafted the paper; Kaur G performed research and designed research; Abu Hassan MR and Singh H helped in patient recruitment; Kaur G and Naik VR carried out pathological confirmation; and Ankathil R designed research, corrected and revised the paper.
Supported by USM Research University Grant, No. 1001/CIPPT/813005
Correspondence to: Dr. Ravindran Ankathil, Professor, Human Genome Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia Health Campus, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia. rankathil@hotmail.com
Telephone: +60-9-7676968 Fax: +60-9-7658914
Received: March 15, 2011
Revised: April 26, 2011
Accepted: May 3, 2011
Published online: February 28, 2012

Abstract

AIM: To investigate the protein expression profile of mismatch repair (MMR) genes in suspected cases of Lynch syndrome and to characterize the associated germline mutations.

METHODS: Immunohistochemical analysis of tumor samples was performed to determine the protein expression profile of MMR protein. Germline mutation screening was carried out on peripheral blood samples. The entire exon regions of MLH1 and MSH2 genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction, screened by denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (dHPLC) and analyzed by DNA sequencing to characterize the germline mutations.

RESULTS: Three out of 34 tissue samples (8.8%) and four out of 34 tissue samples (11.8%) showed loss of nuclear staining by immunohistochemistry, indicating the absence of MLH1 and MSH2 protein expression in carcinoma cells, respectively. dHPLC analysis followed by DNA sequencing showed these samples to have germline mutations of MSH2 gene. However, no deleterious mutations were identified in any of the 19 exons or coding regions of MLH1 gene, but we were able to identify MLH1 promoter polymorphism, -93G > A (rs1800734), in 21 out of 34 patients (61.8%). We identified one novel mutation, transversion mutation c.2005G > C, which resulted in a missense mutation (Gly669Arg), a transversion mutation in exon 1, c.142G > T, which resulted in a nonsense mutation (Glu48Stop) and splice-site mutation, c.2006-6T > C, which was adjacent to exon 13 of MSH2 gene.

CONCLUSION: Germline mutations were identified in four Malaysian Lynch syndrome patients. Immunohistochemical analysis of tumor tissue proved to be a good pre-screening test before proceeding to germline mutation analysis of DNA MMR genes.

Key Words: Denaturing high performance liquid chromatography, DNA sequencing, Germline mutation, Mismatch repair genes, Immunohistochemistry, Lynch syndrome



INTRODUCTION

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common gastrointestinal cancer in Malaysia and Lynch syndrome accounts for approximately 1%-5% of all colorectal cancers[1-3]. Lynch syndrome is generally divided into type I which describes families presenting with colonic cancers at an early age in the absence of multiple colonic adenomas, whereas type II describes similar families who also develop extracolonic cancers particularly those of the female reproductive tract[4]. Lynch syndrome is characterized by autosomal dominant inheritance with multiple members affected in families, inheritance of susceptibility genes (mismatch repair genes) with incomplete penetrance (80%-90%), and early onset of CRC and/or extracolonic cancers such as cancers of the endometrium, ovary, stomach, small intestine, hepatobiliary tract, upper urinary tract, brain and skin[5,6].

Germline mutations in a group of DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS1 and PMS2) have been found to be associated with susceptibility to Lynch syndrome[5-7]. Germline mutations of MLH1 and MSH2 genes account for more than 90% of the mutations identified in Lynch syndrome families[5,8]. The loss of MMR function will lead to a phenomenon known as microsatellite instability (MSI) which is the hallmark of Lynch syndrome.

In addition to tumor MSI testing which is available to evaluate the MSI status and germline mutation analysis using peripheral blood, immunohistochemical testing of tumor tissue for the expression status of MMR protein has emerged as another option available in the genetic testing of Lynch syndrome. Data on germline mutations of MMR genes are available from different parts of the world in varying frequencies, however, no reports are available from Malaysia. Hence, this study was undertaken to unravel the spectrum of germline mutations in DNA MMR genes in Malaysian Lynch syndrome patients. We investigated the protein expression profile of MMR genes in suspected cases of Lynch syndrome and characterized the associated germline mutations. This report focuses on the protein expression profile and germline mutations identified in MLH1 and MSH2 gene.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Patients

This study was approved by the Research and Ethics Committee, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia and National Institutes of Health for conducting research under the Ministry of Health, Malaysia. Thirty-four patients who fulfilled any of the following revised Bethesda Guidelines were recruited from three collaborating centres in Malaysia namely Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Hospital Alor Star, Kedah and Hospital Queen Elizabeth, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. (1) CRC with age less than 50 years old; (2) Presence of synchronous or metachronous colorectal or other hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC)-associated tumors regardless of age; (3) CRC with MSI-positive morphology with age less than 60 years old; (4) CRC with one or more first-degree relatives with CRC or other HNPCC-related tumor, with one of the cancers with age less than 50 years old; and (5) CRC with two or more first- or second-degree relatives with CRC or other HNPCC-related tumor (regardless of age), including cancers (endometrial, stomach, ovarian, cervical, esophageal, leukemia, thyroid, bladder, ureter and renal pelvis, biliary tract, small bowel, breast, pancreas, liver, larynx, bronchus, lung and brain (glioblastoma), sebaceous gland adenomas and keratoacanthomas.

Personal and demographic details of the patients including history of CRC in the family were collected and recorded. CRC patients with a strong family history of CRC among first- or second-degree relatives and who met the selection criteria were subjected to detailed pedigree analysis. Detailed pedigrees of these suspected cases of Lynch syndrome were prepared. A 5 mL blood sample was collected from identified Lynch syndrome patients after obtaining informed consent.

Immunohistochemical analysis of tumor tissues

Paraffin-embedded tissue blocks from each resected bowel specimen containing carcinoma and preferably adjacent non-neoplastic colon were selected. Four µm-thick tissue sections were cut, dewaxed in xylene and rehydrated in graded alcohol concentrations to distilled water. Slides were placed in Tris-EDTA buffer at pH 9.0 in a pressure chamber for antigen retrieval for 2 min at 123 °C. Peroxidase blocking reagent (DakoCytomation) was used to block endogenous peroxidase activity. Slides were incubated with 150-200 μL of primary monoclonal mouse antibodies: MLH1 antibody (BD Biosciences Pharmingen, United States, Cat. No. 550838) at 1/50 dilution and MSH2 antibody (BD Biosciences Pharmingen, United States, Cat. No. 556349) at 1/200 dilution, Horseradish-peroxidase (HRP) labeled polymer, conjugated to secondary antibody and thereafter DAB substrate chromogen (DAKO Envision detection kit, peroxidase/DAB, Rabbit/Mouse) were applied. Slides were counterstained with hematoxylin.

Normal expression of protein was defined as the presence of nuclear staining in colon cancer cells. Loss of staining in carcinoma with concurrent positive staining in nuclei of normal colon epithelial cells indicated absent expression of protein. Adjacent non-neoplastic colon and stromal inflammatory cells served as internal positive controls. The external positive control was normal colon.

Germline mutation analysis

Genomic DNA was extracted from blood using the commercially available DNA extraction kit, QIAamp DNA Blood Mini kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany). Specific primers were designed by using Primer3 software[9] to amplify all 19 exons of MLH1 gene and 16 exons of MSH2 gene. DNA was subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of 19 exons of MLH1 gene and 16 exons of MSH2 gene using specific primers as listed in Tables 1 and 2, respectively, in a total reaction volume of 20 μL, consisting of 1X PCR reaction buffer (Applied Biosystem, Foster City, CA, United States), 1.875 μmol/L MgCl2 (Applied Biosystem, Foster City, CA, United States), 0.375 μmol/L dNTPs (Applied Biosystem, Foster City, CA, United States), 0.4 μmol/L each of forward and reverse primers, about 100 ng genomic DNA and 1 unit of AmpliTaq Gold DNA Polymerase (Applied Biosystem, Foster City, CA, United States). PCR was performed with an initial denaturation step at 96 °C for 5 min, followed by 40 cycles of denaturation at 95 °C for 1 min, annealing at temperatures as listed in Tables 1 and 2 for 1 min and extension at 72 °C for 1 min, followed by a final extension step at 72 °C for 7 min.

Table 1 List of primer sequences used for polymerase chain reaction amplification of the exons of MLH1 gene and their respective sizes of polymerase chain reaction products.
MLH1 genePrimer sequence (5’-3’)Size (bp)Ta (°C)
Exon 15’ cagagttgagaaatttgactgg 3’33950
5’ taagtcgtagcccttaagtgag 3’
Exon 25’ tgtatgagcctgtaagacaaag 3’31550
5’ tagtttccagaacagagaaagg 3’
Exon 35’ gggaattcaaagagatttgg 3’37350
5’ gaggtctctgcaggtaaaatag 3’
Exon 45’ ctcatcgttgccacatatta 3’31950
5’ gtactcaagatctctgccaaaa 3’
Exon 55’ tccccttgggattagtatctat 3’30650
5’ cccacaaaagccaatagtcat 3’
Exon 65’ cactatcttaagacctcgcttt 3’32550
5’ gctaaaccttgaccagaaacta 3’
Exon 75’ agaggagtctgtgttttgattc 3’36750
5’ atcataaccttatctccaccag 3’
Exon 85’ atagtttgctggtggagataag 3’30650
5’ agcctgtgtatttgactaaagc 3’
Exon 95’ agttagtttatgggaaggaacc 3’43850
5’ aagaaccagactccaacagtc 3’
Exon 105’ atagtaagatagtgggctggaa 3’43262
5’ tacctgtaagaagggacagaac 3’
Exon 115’ tatttgaacacactcagactcg 3’47662
5’ taggaacaacagcacaatacc 3’
Exon 125’ atacagactttgctaccaggac 3’47550
5’ agagagaagatgcaagtgattc 3’
Exon 135’ tgtcagataagcagtctaccag 3’46850
5’ ttagtaaaggaagaggagcttg 3’
Exon 145’ cctcatttgtgttcgttttc 3’41150
5’ gtcgaacttggatttgaaac 3’
Exon 155’ catgtttcagggattacttctc 3’35650
5’ ggctaccaaatgactattttgc 3’
Exon 165’ gtatatgggggatgagtgttac 3’31950
5’ cagaagtataagaatggctgtc 3’
Exon 175’ gtgctgtttgtcaggatgaa 3’43050
5’ tgaatattagtggggatgagag 3’
Exon 185’ gtctgtgatctccgtttagaat 3’35850
5’ ctacatcagcagatggaagtaa 3’
Exon 195’ caggacaccagtgtatgttg 3’49750
5’ ctgtgacatgttcaagacctc 3’
Figure 1
Figure 1 Immunohistochemical staining of mismatch repair proteins. A: MLH1 gene protein, x 200 magnification. Positive nucleus staining for MLH1 protein in normal colon (left) and absent staining in colon cancer (right); B: MSH2 gene protein, x 200 magnification. Absent nuclear staining for MSH2 protein in mucinous carcinoma (left) and positive staining in fibrous stromal cells, as internal control (right).
Table 2 List of primer sequences used for polymerase chain reaction amplification of the exons of MSH2 gene and their respective sizes of polymerase chain reaction products.
MSH2 genePrimer sequence (5’-3’)Size (bp)Ta (°C)
Exon 15’ gtctgcttatgattggttgc 3’63258
5’ actccgtgatcacaagttca 3’
Exon 25’ gtggaactataagtccagtaagc 3’45750
5’ cagccaaactgcaacttttt 3’
Exon 35’ agaatcgattgaacccttga 3’55462
5’ gtcaattaaagagcctttcc 3’
Exon 45’ acatcatatcagtgtcttgcac 3’30250
5’ taatccatgtacctgattctcc 3’
Exon 55’ gaaggaacaccaaggaaaat 3’27350
5’ ctgaaaaaggttaagggctctg 3’
Exon 65’ ggtcttaggaagaggaactttt 3’33750
5’ gtataatcatgtgggtaactgc 3’
Exon 75’ ttgagacttacgtgcttagttg 3’39150
5’ tctgaatgtgtcctaagagtga 3’
Exon 85’ aactttggagacctactgtact 3’35350
5’ ccacaaaggtgctacaattag 3’
Exon 95’ tacatcatcagcactgtaactg 3’49453
5’ ttgacagagatgtgaagtcatc 3’
Exon 105’ cagctttcaagtcagaaact 3’51153
5’ aagaaagcttgactcttacctg 3’
Exon 115’ tcacgtagtacacattgcttct 3’36561
5’ tatgtgcaagagtaacttccag 3’
Exon 125’ caaatggggggattaaatgt 3’37750
5’ aaaacgttacccccacaaag 3’
Exon 135’ gcagtaactctgtccacatctt 3’43262
5’ cttctcacaggacagagacata 3’
Exon 145’ atgtttgtggcatatccttc 3’49950
5’ cagactgtgaattaaggggtaa 3’
Exon 155’ ctaatgacaaggtgagaaggat 3’33850
5’ ccttcatcttagtgtcctgttt 3’
Exon 16A5’ ggaactagacagtgcacacata 3’42862
5’ ctgggatttttcacgtagtaac 3’
Exon 16B5’ attattcaggagttcctgtcc 3’50050
5’ ctctgagctatttgtttcttcc 3’
Figure 2
Figure 2 DNA sequencing result showing the germline mutations of MSH2 gene identified in 4 Lynch syndrome patients. A: Deleterious mutation, c.142G > T, which resulted in a nonsense mutation (Glu48Stop); B: Novel mutation, transversion mutation c.2005G > C, which resulted in a missense mutation (Gly669Arg); C: Splice-site mutation, c.2006-6T > C, which was adjacent to exon 13 of MSH2 gene; D: MLH1 promoter polymorphism, -93G > A (rs1800734).

Amplicons were then visualized by gel electrophoresis in a 2% agarose gel. Three μL of each amplicon was mixed with 3 μL of wild-type sample, denatured at 95 °C for 3 min and then gradually reannealed by decreasing the sample temperature from 95 °C to 65 °C over a period of 30 min to allow the formation of heteroduplex. Mutation analysis was performed employing denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (dHPLC) using ProStar Helix System, Varian Inc, United States and samples were analyzed under the optimum melting temperature determined by using the melting program available online, http://insertion.stanford.edu/melt.html. The wild-type sample for all the exon regions was randomly selected and confirmed by DNA sequencing.

Samples which showed heteroduplex peaks were subjected to DNA sequencing to characterize the mutation. For this, amplicons were purified using the QIAGEN QIAamp PCR purification kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany). Purified amplicons were sequenced using BigDye Terminator v3.1 kit (Applied Biosystem, Foster City, CA, United States) on the automated ABI PRISM 3100 Genetic Analyzer (Applied Biosystem Inc, United States).

RESULTS
Immunohistochemical analysis of tumor tissues

Protein expression of MLH1 and MSH2 antigens were evaluated in tissue samples from 34 Malaysian Lynch syndrome patients. Three out of 34 tissue samples (8.8%) showed absence of nuclear staining for MLH1 and four out of 34 tissue samples (11.8%) showed loss of nuclear staining for MSH2 in cancer epithelium cells. Figure 1A and B show the loss of nuclear staining in MLH1 and MSH2 protein, respectively, observed in tumor samples. Patients whose samples showed absence of MLH1 and MSH2 protein expression were subjected to mutation analysis of MLH1 and MSH2 genes to detect and characterize germline mutations, if present.

Germline mutation analysis

Nineteen exons of MLH1 gene and 16 exons of MSH2 gene were successfully amplified and screened by dHPLC. Samples which showed heteroduplex peaks by dHPLC were subjected to DNA sequencing to characterize the germline mutations. All four Lynch syndrome patients who showed absence of MSH2 protein expression by immunohistochemical analysis were found to harbor germline mutations. Three different types of mutations were identified in MSH2 gene among these four patients (Table 3). Of these, one was a substitution in exon 1 of MSH2 gene, c.142G > T, which resulted in a nonsense mutation (Glu48Stop) and is considered a deleterious mutation (Figure 2A). The second type was a transversion mutation, c.2005G > C (Figure 2B), which resulted in a missense mutation (Gly669Arg). This has not been reported before in any of Lynch syndrome mutation databases namely MMR Genes Variant Database (http://www.med.mun.ca/mmrvariants), International Society for Gastrointestinal Hereditary Tumours mutation database (http://www.insight-group.org) and Human Gene Mutation Database (http://www.hgmd.cf.ac.uk/ac/index.php) and could be considered a novel mutation. This novel mutation was identified in two patients who showed absent expression of MSH2 protein by immunohistochemistry. The fourth patient showed a splice-site mutation, c.2006-6T > C (Figure 2C), which was adjacent to exon 13 of MSH2 gene in one of the patients.

Table 3 Germline mutations of MSH2 gene detected in 4/34 Lynch syndrome patients.
GenePatients IDAgeExon/intron regionNucleotide changeConsequence
MSH2LS850Exon 12c.2005G > CMissense mutation (G669R)
LS2043Exon 12c.2005G > CMissense mutation (G669R)
LS3741Intron 12c.2006-6T > CSplice-site mutation
LS4149Exon 1c.142G > TNonsense mutation (E48X)

However, no deleterious mutations were identified in any of the 19 exons or coding regions of MLH1 gene in the three Lynch syndrome patients who showed absence of MLH1 protein expression by immunohistochemical analysis, but MLH1 promoter polymorphism, -93G > A (rs1800734), was detected in 21 out of 34 patients (61.8%) (Figure 2D).

DISCUSSION

Germline mutations in DNA MMR genes particularly of MLH1 and MSH2 genes were reported to be responsible for the majority of Lynch syndrome cases[5,8]. The most crucial procedure in confirming Lynch syndrome is the sequencing analysis of DNA MMR genes to unravel the germline mutation harbored by the suspected patients. However, the procedure is problematic and challenging especially in large-scale studies, thus the application of a pre-screening method is essential. MSI analysis as well as immunohistochemical analysis of tumor tissue has been shown to be highly predictive for selecting candidates with defective MMR genes[10,11]. Immunohistochemical testing of tumor tissue in particular has been proven to be a good diagnostic tool, since it can pinpoint the MMR genes most eligible for germline mutation analysis of DNA MMR genes[12].

In our study consisting of 34 Malaysian Lynch syndrome patients, immunohistochemical analysis of tumor tissue was applied as a pre-screening method. Using immunohistochemistry, we identified 4 out of 34 patients (11.8%) who showed absent expression of MSH2 protein. One of them harbored a substitution in exon 1 of MSH2 gene, c.142G > T, which resulted in a nonsense mutation (Glu48Stop). This mutation can be considered as probably deleterious as it results in a premature stop codon and subsequently a nonfunctional and truncated protein. The mutation has been reported in Dutch hereditary nonpolyposis CRC family members who showed absent expression of MSH2 protein[13].

Interestingly, we identified a novel mutation, transversion mutation c.2005G > C, which resulted in a missense mutation (Gly669Arg) in two patients. Functional studies conducted by Acharya et al[14] showed that amino acid residues 658-670 is a highly conserved disordered loop region within Walker boxes in ATPase domain (domain V) which play a role in regulating mismatch binding and ATP-dependent clamp formation. Therefore, we strongly believe that changes in protein conformation and subsequent changes in biological properties of MSH2 protein are possible due to this mutation. Currently, we are unable to comment on the real impact of the novel mutation identified, and further functional studies are warranted to elucidate this issue.

In addition, we identified another splice-site mutation, c.2006-6T > C, which was adjacent to exon 13 of MSH2 gene in one of the patients. The location of this mutation which was in the region of the polypyrimidine tract prompted us to suggest that it might affect normal MSH2 mRNA splicing. Since the polypyrimidine tract plays a major role in promoting the assembly of spliceosome as well as polypyrimidine tract-binding protein[15], the mutation might result in aberrant mRNA splicing during the process of post-transcriptional modification. The skipping of exon 13 which encompasses the most conserved region of MSH2 gene might occur, leading to diminished MSH2 protein function. However, the impact of the splice-site mutation, c.2006-6T > C, in the pathogenesis of cancer is still controversial due to conflicting evidence. A few reports have shown that this mutation was associated with an increased risk of CRC in patients with ulcerative colitis[16], sporadic CRC[17] and non-Hodgkin lymphomas[18] as well as being described as a polymorphism[19]. It is also possible that the splice-site mutation is in linkage disequilibrium with the other unknown pathogenic mutation. Thus, further extensive studies are warranted to clarify the real impact of splice-site mutation towards the susceptibility to CRC.

Even though no deleterious mutations were identified in any of the 19 exons or coding regions of MLH1 gene in the three Lynch syndrome patients who showed absence of MLH1 protein expression by immunohistochemical analysis, the possibility of germline epimutation of MLH1 gene cannot be ruled out. On the other hand, the promoter polymorphism, -93G > A (rs1800734), which we identified in MLH1 gene in 61.8% of our patients has been reported to be located in the core promoter region, 93 nucleotides upstream from the transcription start site, in the potential region of transcription factor binding sites[20]. The high frequency of this promoter polymorphism, -93G > A, indicates the predominance of this variation among Malaysians. Functional studies have already demonstrated that the MLH1 promoter region from nucleotide position -184 to the transcription start site, in which the G > A alteration occurs, is essential for transcription of MLH1 gene[20]. The fact that the location of the promoter polymorphism is in the region of two potential transcription factor binding sites, GT-motif 2B and interleukin-6-regulated nuclear factor, could greatly enhance the chances of abnormal MLH1 transcription and expression and subsequently reduce the DNA repair capability[21,22]. On the other hand, there is a possibility that this promoter polymorphism may alternatively be in linkage disequilibrium with another polymorphism in the coding region or intron or with the MLH1 germline mutation itself which can affect MLH1 function.

The function of the MMR system is to maintain the fidelity of the genome during replication. The DNA MMR genes via its intranuclear protein, namely MMR protein, will correct nucleotide base mispairs and small insertions or deletions generated by slippage errors of DNA polymerase during replication. Germline mutation in one of these genes will cause inactivation of the MMR system where the MMR proteins would no longer be expressed resulting in failure to repair the replication errors that occur spontaneously during DNA replication. This defect leads to the accumulation of errors in repetitive DNA sequences (microsatellites) throughout the genome of tumors resulting in microsatellite instability.

In summary, immunohistochemical analysis for MMR protein expression in suspected cases of Lynch syndrome could be considered a pre-screening method and a good strategy prior to germline mutation screening of DNA MMR genes. Since no germline mutations were identified in MLH1 gene in Lynch syndrome patients who showed absence of MLH1 protein expression by immunohistochemical analysis, it is imperative to determine the methylation status of MLH1 promoter as it may play a role in the other molecular mechanism of Lynch syndrome. Germline mutation analysis of the other MMR genes especially PMS2 with the aim of characterizing the spectrum of DNA MMR gene mutation among Malaysian Lynch syndrome patients is also underway.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We would like to thank the patients and their family members who participated in this project. We would also like to thank the staff at Clinical Research Centre, Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia for their contribution to this study and Mariam Azmi, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, for her technical expertise in immunohistochemistry.

COMMENTS
Background

Lynch syndrome, the most common form of hereditary colorectal cancer is mainly due to germline mutations in a group of DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS1 and PMS2), and mutations in MLH1 and MSH2 genes alone account for more than 90% of the mutations identified in Lynch syndrome families. Data on germline mutations of DNA MMR genes are available from different parts of the world in varying frequencies but no reports are available from Malaysia.

Research frontiers

Mutational analysis of DNA MMR genes is the most pivotal step in confirming Lynch syndrome cases in order to unravel the germline mutation harbored by suspected patients. Immunohistochemical analysis of MMR protein expression in suspected cases of Lynch syndrome can be considered a pre-screening method and a good strategy prior to germline mutation screening of DNA MMR genes.

Innovations and breakthroughs

There are a number of previous reports available on germline mutations in MMR genes in other populations with varying frequencies, but no reports are available from Malaysia. This is the first study to unravel the spectrum of germline mutations in DNA MMR genes in Malaysian Lynch syndrome patients. This study also focuses on the protein expression profile of MMR protein and germline mutations identified in MLH1 and MSH2 genes. The authors also identified one novel mutation, transversion mutation c.2005G > C, which resulted in a missense mutation (Gly669Arg). The possibility of germline epimutation of MLH1 gene cannot be ruled out since no deleterious mutations were identified in any of the 19 exons or coding regions of MLH1 gene in the three Lynch syndrome patients who showed absence of MLH1 protein expression by immunohistochemical analysis.

Applications

The data generated from this study will help to establish a MMR gene mutation database of Malaysian Lynch syndrome kindreds.

Terminology

MLH1 and MSH2 genes are the genes which code for MMR protein and are major elements in the MMR system. The main function of the MMR system is to maintain the fidelity of the genome during replication, where the MMR protein will correct nucleotide base mispairs and small insertions or deletions generated by slippage errors of DNA polymerase during replication.

Peer review

This is a very interesting article.

Footnotes

Peer reviewer: Andrada Seicean, MD, PhD, Third Medical Clinic Cluj Napoca, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj Napoca, Romania, 15, Closca Street, Cluj-Napoca 400039, Romania

S- Editor Tian L L- Editor Webster JR E- Editor Li JY

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