Microsatellite instability in germ cell tumors of the testis and ovary.
OBJECTIVE
Widespread replication-type error (RER) is a genetic alteration that has been observed in many different neoplasms and has been associated with defective DNA repair activity. There are conflicting data regarding the role that this type of genetic instability plays in the development and progression of adult germ cell tumors.


METHODS
Universal amplification was performed on 104 paired specimens of tumor and constitutional DNA isolated from adult male and female germ cell tumors, in addition to subpopulations of carcinoma in situ (CIS), the precursor of testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs). Preamplified DNA samples of TGCTs and ovarian germ cell tumors (OGCTs) were assayed for the presence of RER at 78 and 64 microsatellite loci, respectively.


RESULTS
RER was observed at a single microsatellite locus in 7 of 24 individual testicular germ cell tumors, including subpopulations of CIS isolated from one of these patients. There was some evidence of RER clustering for microsatellite loci mapping to the short arm of chromosome 12. Genetic instability was more frequent in OGCTs, with widespread RER observed at 38 of 64 microsatellite loci. These alterations were noted in 12 of 36 malignant OGCTs showing RER at 1 or more loci, including 3 OGCTs demonstrating RER at more than 6 separate microsatellite loci.


CONCLUSIONS
The pathogenetic significance of genetic instability in germ cell tumors remains uncertain, although the results of this study suggest a lesser role in TGCTs compared to that in OGCTs.
Faulkner
S W
SW
Molecular and Cytogenetics Unit, Department of Medical Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, High Street, Randwick, New South Wales, 2031, Australia.
Friedlander
M L
ML
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000235:genetics; D004260:DNA Repair; D004261:DNA Replication / Q000235:genetics; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D018237:Germinoma / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats / Q000235:genetics*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm