Germline VHL gene mutations in Hungarian families with von Hippel-Lindau disease and patients with apparently sporadic unilateral pheochromocytomas.
OBJECTIVE
Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is a hereditary tumor syndrome caused by mutations or deletions of the VHL tumor-suppressor gene. Germline VHL gene alterations may be also present in patients with apparently sporadic pheochromocytoma (ASP), although a wide variation in mutation frequencies has been reported in different patient cohorts.


METHODS
Herein, we report the analysis of the VHL gene in Hungarian families with VHL disease and in those with ASP.


METHODS
Seven families (35 members) with VHL disease and 37 unrelated patients with unilateral ASP were analyzed. Patients were clinically evaluated and the VHL gene was analyzed using direct sequencing, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, and real-time PCR with SYBR Green chemistry.


RESULTS
Disease-causing genetic abnormalities were identified in each of the seven VHL families and in 3 out of the 37 patients with ASP (one nonsense and six missense mutations, two large gene deletions and one novel 2 bp deletion). Large gene deletions and other genetic alterations resulting in truncated VHL protein were found only in families with VHL type 1, whereas missense mutations were associated mainly, although not exclusively, with VHL type 2B and type 2C.


CONCLUSIONS
The spectrum of VHL gene abnormalities in the Hungarian population is similar to that observed in Western, Japanese, or Chinese VHL kindreds. The presence of VHL gene mutations in 3 out of the 37 patients with ASP suggests that genetic testing is useful not only in patients with VHL disease but also in those with ASP.
Gergics
Peter
P
2nd Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 46 Szentkirályi Street, Budapest H-1088, Hungary.
Patocs
Attila
A
Toth
Miklos
M
Igaz
Peter
P
Szucs
Nikolette
N
Liko
Istvan
I
Fazakas
Ferenc
F
Szabo
Istvan
I
Kovacs
Balazs
B
Glaz
Edit
E
Racz
Karoly
K
D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics*; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005820:Genetic Testing; D018095:Germ-Line Mutation; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics*; D051794:Von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Protein / Q000235:genetics*; D055815:Young Adult; D006623:von Hippel-Lindau Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics
D051794:Von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Protein