title: Mutation analysis of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, a ligand for an RET/coreceptor complex, in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 and sporadic neuroendocrine tumors.
abstract: Causative germline missense mutations in the RET proto-oncogene have been associated with over 92% of families with the inherited cancer syndrome multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2). MEN 2A is characterized primarily by medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and pheochromocytoma, both tumors of neural crest origin. Parathyroid hyperplasia or adenoma is also seen in MEN 2A, but rarely in MEN 2B, which has additional stigmata, including a marfanoid habitus, mucosal neuromas, and ganglioneuromatosis of the gastrointestinal tract. In familial MTC, MTC is the only lesion present. Somatic RET mutations have also been identified in a subset of sporadic MTCs, pheochromocytomas, and rarely, small cell lung cancer, but not in sporadic parathyroid hyperplasias/adenomas or other neuroendocrine tumors. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and its receptor molecule GDNFR-alpha, have recently been identified as members of the RET ligand binding complex. Therefore, the genes encoding both GDNF and GDNFR-alpha are excellent candidates for a role in the pathogenesis of those MEN 2 families and sporadic neuroendocrine tumors without RET mutations. No mutations were found in the coding region of GDNF in DNA samples from 9 RET mutation negative MEN 2 individuals (comprising 6 distinct families), 12 sporadic MTCs, 17 sporadic cases of parathyroid adenoma, and 10 small cell lung cancer cell lines. Therefore, we find no evidence that mutation within the coding regions of GDNF plays a role in the genesis of MEN 2 and sporadic neuroendocrine tumors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Adult Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115-6084, USA.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Marsh
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Andrew
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Learoyd
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Frilling
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Komminoth
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Neumann
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Ponder
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Rollins
authors.forename: G I
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Shapiro
authors.forename: B G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Mulligan
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Eng
mesh_terms: D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D004701:Endocrine Gland Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D051097:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Receptors; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D018813:Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2a / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D009423:Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D051096:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret; D011519:Proto-Oncogenes; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D029721:Drosophila Proteins; C495039:GDNF protein, human; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D051097:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Receptors; D008024:Ligands; C000715470:MAS1 protein, human; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D051096:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; C416649:Ret protein, Drosophila