[Semi-automated quantitative method for detecting the loss of heterozygosity at the long arm of chromosome 4 in hepatocellular carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
Chromosomal deletions are the most frequent genetic alterations observed in hepatocellular carcinoma. Loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 4q has been observed in 40% of hepatocellular carcinomas suggesting the presence of a tumor suppressor gene which has not yet been identified.


METHODS
We developed a semi-automated quantitative genotyping method which allowed us to characterize 119 hepatocellular carcinomas with 22 fluorescent microsatellite markers distributed on chromosome 4q.


RESULTS
4q loss was observed in 40% of cases. Among these deletions, 19 cases of partial or interstitial loss made it possible to define two common minimal regions of deletion of 25.1 and 37.6 centimorgans localized between markers D4S414 and D4S430 and between markers D4S3033 and D4S408, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
This work represents the first step towards the identification and characterization of new genes involved in hepatic carcinogenesis.
Bluteau
O
O
INSERM U434 Génétique des tumeurs, Fondation Jean Dausset/CEPH, Paris.
Legoix
P
P
Bayer
J
J
Bioulac-Sage
P
P
Fléjou
J F
JF
Capron
F
F
Monges
G
G
Brechot
C
C
Thomas
G
G
Laurent-Puig
P
P
Zucman-Rossi
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics*; D002894:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4 / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D019656:Loss of Heterozygosity / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D008875:Middle Aged