Searching for somatic mutations in McCune-Albright syndrome: a comparative study of the peptidic nucleic acid versus the nested PCR method based on 148 DNA samples.
BACKGROUND
Activating mutations of the Gsalpha gene (GNAS), which encodes for the alpha-subunit of the stimulatory G protein, have been identified in patients with McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS). Accuracy and sensitivity in the molecular diagnosis of MAS is mandatory for optimal therapeutic strategy and adapted follow-up, especially for incomplete clinical forms of MAS. To date, the highly sensitive nested PCR method with intermediary digestion by a restriction enzyme at the mutation site is one of the most widely used techniques. This study evaluated a new diagnostic method using a peptidic nucleic acid (PNA) and compared it with the nested PCR method.


METHODS
One hundred and forty-eight DNA samples from eighty-eight patients presenting clinical symptoms compatible with MAS were included. The DNA samples were mainly obtained from peripheral blood, ovarian tissue or cyst liquid, and bone lesions. The nested PCR method required 4 days. PNA clamping required 1.5 days and utilized the higher thermal stability and specificity of PNA-DNA coupling to inhibit PCR product formation. Direct sequencing was subsequently performed in all cases.


RESULTS
The sensitivity of mutation detection was 54% (n = 80) for nested PCR and 46.6% (n = 69) for PNA (P > 0.05). The 11 cases where PNA failed to detect the mutation were mainly incomplete and atypical clinical forms of MAS (n = 10/11). The cost per sample was 50 Euros for PNA clamping versus 136 Euros for nested PCR.


CONCLUSIONS
PNA clamping is a rapid, reliable, and economical method to diagnose MAS. It should be the first-line diagnostic method, although negative results, especially for incomplete clinical forms of MAS, should be confirmed by nested PCR.
Kalfa
N
N
Unité d'Endocrinologie-Gynécologie Pédiatrique, Service de Pédiatrie 1, Hôpital Arnaud-de-Villeneuve, CHU Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France.
Philibert
P
P
Audran
F
F
Ecochard
A
A
Hannon
T
T
Lumbroso
S
S
Sultan
C
C
D002648:Child; D002864:Chromogranins; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D005359:Fibrous Dysplasia, Polyostotic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics*; D019205:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs / Q000235:genetics*; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020135:Peptide Nucleic Acids; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D015183:Restriction Mapping / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D002864:Chromogranins; D020135:Peptide Nucleic Acids; C406732:GNAS protein, human; D019205:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs