Germ-line GATA2 p.THR354MET mutation in familial myelodysplastic syndrome with acquired monosomy 7 and ASXL1 mutation demonstrating rapid onset and poor survival

Haematologica. 2012 Jun;97(6):890-4. doi: 10.3324/haematol.2011.054361. Epub 2012 Jan 22.

Abstract

While most myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukemia cases are sporadic, rare familial cases occur and provide some insight into leukemogenesis. The most clearly defined familial cases result from inherited mutations in RUNX1 or CEBPA. Recently, novel germline mutations in GATA2 have been reported. We, therefore, investigated individuals from families with one or more first-degree relatives with myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukemia with wild-type RUNX1 and CEBPA, for GATA2 mutations. Screening for other recurrent mutations was also performed. A GATA2 p.Thr354Met mutation was observed in a pedigree in which 2 first-degree cousins developed high-risk myelodys-plastic syndrome with monosomy 7. They were also observed to have acquired identical somatic ASXL1 mutations and both died despite stem cell transplantation. These findings confirm that germline GATA2 mutations predispose to familial myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukemia, and that monosomy 7 and ASXL1 mutations may be recurrent secondary genetic abnormalities triggering overt malignancy in these families.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age of Onset
  • Base Sequence
  • Chromosome Deletion
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 7 / genetics
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Female
  • GATA2 Transcription Factor / genetics*
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Germ-Line Mutation
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / genetics*
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / mortality
  • Male
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Myelodysplastic Syndromes / genetics*
  • Myelodysplastic Syndromes / mortality
  • Pedigree
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics*
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • ASXL1 protein, human
  • GATA2 Transcription Factor
  • GATA2 protein, human
  • Repressor Proteins

Supplementary concepts

  • Chromosome 7, monosomy