title: Molecular identification of latent precancers in histologically normal endometrium.
abstract: Discovery of somatically mutated cells in human tissues has been less frequent than would be predicted by in vitro mutational rates. We analyzed the PTEN tumor suppressor gene as an early marker for endometrial carcinogenesis, and we show that 43% of histologically normal premenopausal endometria contain rare glands that fail to express PTEN protein because of mutation and/or deletion. These persist between menstrual cycles. Histopathology of PTEN-null glands is initially unremarkable, but with progression, they form distinctive high-density clusters. These data are consistent with a progression model in which initial mutation is not rate limiting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA. gmutter@rics.bwh.harvard.edu
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Mutter
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Ince
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Baak
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Kust
authors.forename: X P
authors.initials: XP
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Eng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D051059:PTEN Phosphohydrolase; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins
chemical_list: D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases; D051059:PTEN Phosphohydrolase; C494929:PTEN protein, human