[Genetic detection and analysis of the VHL gene in patients with sporadic pheochromocytoma].
OBJECTIVE
To carry out a genetic detection and analysis of Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene in Chinese patients with sporadic pheochromocytoma.


METHODS
DNA samples were extracted from peripheral blood cells and fresh pheochromocytoma specimens from 41 patients with sporadic pheochromocytoma were assayed by polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing. The DNA samples of 50 healthy volunteers were extracted from peripheral blood as a control. The PCR products of exon 1, exon 2 and exon 3 were used for molecular analysis of the VHL gene. The genetic detection of family members of VHL gene mutations was also performed.


RESULTS
One of mutations was located at nucleotide 572 (G-->C) in exon 2, presenting a codon 120 from arginine (R) to threonine (T). Tow small insertions were locatated at nucleotide 623T (TTTGTtG) in exon 2, leading to a frameshift mutation. There were also three carriers of G572C and three carriers of 623T (TTTGTtG) in family members of the three cases.


CONCLUSIONS
There are some Chinese patients with sporadic pheochromocytoma with tumorigenic VHL gene mutations. It is recommended to use the genetic detection and analysis of VHL gene as a routine examination for patients with sporadic pheoehromoeytoma under the age of 50 years with questionable family history. The genetic detection and analysis of VHL gene may be useful as a marker for the diagnosis of hereditary pheochromocytoma.
Department of Urology, Lanzhou General Hospital of PLA, Lanzhou 730050, China.
Bin
B
Zhang
Yang-min
YM
Wang
Nan
N
Wang
Xiao-qin
XQ
Ha
Yong-chao
YC
Dong
Da-hai
DH
Zhou
D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D000328:Adult; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D005091:Exons; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D010375:Pedigree; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000235:genetics*; D051794:Von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Protein / Q000235:genetics*
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D051794:Von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Protein; C497446:VHL protein, human