Clinical presentations and RET protooncogene mutations in seven multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 kindreds. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • BACKGROUND: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2) is a group of related autosomal dominant cancer syndromes caused by mutations in the RET protooncogene. A subset of familial Hirschsprung's disease, aganglionic megacolon, is also caused by mutations in this gene. METHODS: The authors performed mutation analysis of exons 10, 11, 13, and 16 of the RET gene is six established MTN 2 kindreds and in six patients with apparent sporadic disease, in order to correlate their genotypes and phenotypes. RESULTS: One of these kindred's carried both Hirschsprung's disease and MEN 2A in conjunction with a cysteine-to-arginine substitution of codon 620 of the RET gene. One patient with apparently sporadic disease was found to have a germline M918T mutation. Patients with confirmed familial disease all carried pathologic germline mutations of RET. CONCLUSIONS: Several lines of evidence support a gain of function mechanism for tumorigenesis in the MEN 2 syndromes but a loss of function mechanism for aganglionosis in Hirschsprung's disease. The authors propose that a multihit mechanism can reconcile the apparent paradox of a single mutation that gives rise to both gain and loss of function disorders in a single patient.

publication date

  • November 1, 1996

Research

keywords

  • Family
  • Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2a
  • Mutation
  • Proto-Oncogenes

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 0029823617

PubMed ID

  • 8909322

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 78

issue

  • 9