Germline copy number variation and cancer risk.
The human genome is subject to substantial structural variation, including copy number variation (CNV). Constitutional CNVs may either represent benign polymorphic variants or be associated with disease, including cancer predisposition. Rare nonpolymorphic CNVs, that is DNA lesions that result in gene deletions, inversions, and/or fusions, may be responsible for a high cancer risk. In addition, we previously elucidated a mechanism by which CNV-based transcriptional read-through mediates inactivation of a neighboring gene through in cis hypermethylation of its promoter. This novel mechanism explains the etiology of a recurrent and strongly inherited tissue-restricted epimutation. Recently, we obtained supporting evidence for such a CNV-associated scenario, suggesting that it may be more prevalent than previously thought. We expect that copy number profiling in unexplained high-risk families will lead to the discovery of additional cancer-predisposing genes and/or mechanisms.
Kuiper
Roland P
RP
Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen Centre for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. r.kuiper@antrg.umcn.nl
Ligtenberg
Marjolijn J L
MJ
Hoogerbrugge
Nicoline
N
Geurts van Kessel
Ad
A
D018628:Gene Dosage; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D015894:Genome, Human / Q000235:genetics; D018095:Germ-Line Mutation / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors