title: Mutational spectrum of APC and genotype-phenotype correlations in Greek FAP patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Familial adenomatous polyposis, an autosomal dominant inherited disease caused by germline mutations within the APC gene, is characterized by early onset colorectal cancer as a consequence of the intrinsic phenotypic feature of multiple colorectal adenomatic polyps. The genetic investigation of Greek adenomatous polyposis families was performed in respects to APC and MUTYH germline mutations. Additionally, all available published mutations were considered in order to define the APC mutation spectrum in Greece.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cohort of 25 unrelated adenomatous polyposis families of Greek origin has been selected. Genetic testing included direct sequencing of APC and MUTYH genes. APC gene was also checked for large genomic rearrangements by MLPA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis of the APC gene performed in a Greek cohort of twenty five FAP families revealed eighteen different germline mutations in twenty families (80%), four of which novel. Mutations were scattered between exon 3 and codon 1503 of exon 15, while no large genomic rearrangements were identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This concise report describes the spectrum of all APC mutations identified in Greek FAP families, including four novel mutations. It is concluded that the Greek population is characterized by genetic heterogeneity, low incidence of genomic rearrangements in APC gene and lack of founder mutation in FAP syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, I/R-RP, National Center of Scientific Research Demokritos, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Florentia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fostira
authors.forename: Georgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Thodi
authors.forename: Raphael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sandaltzopoulos
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fountzilas
authors.forename: Drakoulis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yannoukakos
mesh_terms: D011125:Adenomatous Polyposis Coli / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D025601:Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein / Q000235:genetics*; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D045647:DNA Glycosylases / Q000235:genetics*; D017931:DNA Primers; D005260:Female; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics*; D010641:Phenotype; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011379:Prognosis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D025601:Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein; D017931:DNA Primers; D045647:DNA Glycosylases; C061738:mutY adenine glycosylase