Molecular genetic analysis of 103 sporadic colorectal tumours in Czech patients

PLoS One. 2011;6(8):e24114. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0024114. Epub 2011 Aug 25.

Abstract

The Czech Republic has one of the highest incidences of colorectal cancer (CRC) in Europe. To evaluate whether sporadic CRCs in Czech patients have specific mutational profiles we analysed somatic genetic changes in known CRC genes (APC, KRAS, TP53, CTNNB1, MUTYH and BRAF, loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the APC locus, microsatellite instability (MSI), and methylation of the MLH1 promoter) in 103 tumours from 102 individuals. The most frequently mutated gene was APC (68.9% of tumours), followed by KRAS (31.1%), TP53 (27.2%), BRAF (8.7%) and CTNNB1 (1.9%). Heterozygous germline MUTYH mutations in 2 patients were unlikely to contribute to the development of their CRCs. LOH at the APC locus was found in 34.3% of tumours, MSI in 24.3% and MLH1 methylation in 12.7%. Seven tumours (6.9%) were without any changes in the genes tested. The analysis yielded several findings possibly specific for the Czech cohort. Somatic APC mutations did not cluster in the mutation cluster region (MCR). Tumours with MSI but no MLH1 methylation showed earlier onset and more severe mutational profiles compared to MSI tumours with MLH1 methylation. TP53 mutations were predominantly located outside the hot spots, and transitions were underrepresented. Our analysis supports the observation that germline MUTYH mutations are rare in Czech individuals with sporadic CRCs. Our findings suggest the influence of specific ethnic genetic factors and/or lifestyle and dietary habits typical for the Czech population on the development of these cancers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics
  • Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein / genetics
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Czech Republic
  • DNA Glycosylases / genetics
  • DNA Methylation / genetics
  • Female
  • Germ-Line Mutation / genetics
  • Humans
  • Loss of Heterozygosity / genetics
  • Male
  • Microsatellite Instability
  • Middle Aged
  • MutL Protein Homolog 1
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / genetics
  • White People / genetics
  • Young Adult
  • beta Catenin / genetics
  • ras Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • APC protein, human
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein
  • CTNNB1 protein, human
  • KRAS protein, human
  • MLH1 protein, human
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • beta Catenin
  • BRAF protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf
  • DNA Glycosylases
  • mutY adenine glycosylase
  • MutL Protein Homolog 1
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)
  • ras Proteins