BARD1 homozygous deletion, a possible alternative to BRCA1 mutation in basal breast cancer

Genes Chromosomes Cancer. 2010 Dec;49(12):1143-51. doi: 10.1002/gcc.20822.

Abstract

Hereditary breast cancers (BCs) are incompletely explained by BRCA genes abnormalities, as ∼70% of them are not associated with known genetic alterations. Array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) of tumors provides an opportunity for identifying new BC susceptibility genes. By analyzing our database of high-resolution aCGH profiles of 330 BCs, we identified a case with homozygous deletion of the entire BARD1 gene. The BARD1-deleted case displayed a familial history of BC and other clinico-pathological features of BRCAness, and a 17% probability of BRCA1/2 mutation. Analysis of constitutional DNA showed a BARD1 germline heterozygous deletion without BRCA1/2 mutation. Gene expression analysis using DNA microarrays classified the tumor as basal-like, with very low BARD1 and ID4 expression, but high expression of BRCA1, RAD51, PARP1, CHEK1, and FANCA. The tumor displayed a BRCA1-mutated expression profile. This is the first report of a non-BRCA1/2-mutated BC with somatic homozygous and germ-line heterozygous deletion of the entire BARD1 gene. This observation suggests that BARD1 might be a BC susceptibility gene that follows the Knudson rule. Identification of BARD1 deletion could have clinical applications including screening for hereditary forms. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Comparative Genomic Hybridization
  • Female
  • Gene Deletion*
  • Gene Expression
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Genes, BRCA1*
  • Genes, Tumor Suppressor*
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Homozygote
  • Humans
  • Mutation
  • Neoplasms, Basal Cell / genetics*
  • Neoplasms, Basal Cell / pathology
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • Sequence Deletion*
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics*
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / genetics*

Substances

  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • BARD1 protein, human
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases