Lack of MSH2 and MSH6 characterizes endometrial but not colon carcinomas in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer

Cancer Res. 2001 Apr 1;61(7):2813-5.

Abstract

Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome is associated with an inherited predisposition to primarily colorectal cancer (CRC) and endometrial cancer (EC); however, the biological basis of the organ involvement remains unknown. As an attempt to explore whether the expression levels of MLH1, MSH2, and MSH6 may play a role, we used immunohistochemistry to study 42 ECs and 35 CRCs from patients carrying the same predisposing mutations. Among MSH2 mutation carriers, MLH1 was expressed in both tumor types, whereas MSH2 and, in many cases, also MSH6, were absent. Remarkably, among MLH1 mutation carriers, 54% of ECs (21 of 39), but none of the CRCs (0 of 32), lacked the MSH2 and/or MSH6 protein in addition to lacking MLH1 protein expression. These results demonstrate a marked difference between hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer-related CRCs and ECs and suggest that the development of the latter tumors is selectively associated with the MSH2/MSH6 protein complex deficiency.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Colonic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Colonic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis / genetics
  • Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis / metabolism*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / deficiency
  • Dimerization
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / genetics
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Germ-Line Mutation
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • MutL Protein Homolog 1
  • MutS Homolog 2 Protein
  • Neoplasm Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Neoplasm Proteins / deficiency
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / deficiency

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Carrier Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • G-T mismatch-binding protein
  • MLH1 protein, human
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • MSH2 protein, human
  • MutL Protein Homolog 1
  • MutS Homolog 2 Protein