Skip to main content
PMC home page
Hereditary Cancer in Clinical Practice logoLink to Hereditary Cancer in Clinical Practice
. 2007 Dec 15;5(4):195–198. doi: 10.1186/1897-4287-5-4-195

Recurrent APC gene mutations in Polish FAP families

Andrzej Pławski 1,✉, Marta Podralska 1, Ryszard Słomski 1
PMCID: PMC2736979  PMID: 19725996

Abstract

The molecular diagnostics of genetically conditioned disorders is based on the identification of the mutations in the predisposing genes. Hereditary cancer disorders of the gastrointestinal tracts are caused by mutations of the tumour suppressor genes or the DNA repair genes. Occurrence of recurrent mutation allows improvement of molecular diagnostics. The mutation spectrum in the genes causing hereditary forms of colorectal cancers in the Polish population was previously described. In the present work an estimation of the frequency of the recurrent mutations of the APC gene was performed. Eight types of mutations occurred in 19.4% of our FAP families and these constitute 43% of all Polish diagnosed families.

Keywords: FAP, APC gene, mutations, Polish population

Introduction

Molecular diagnostics of cancer predisposition is very important for the medical treatment of the patient and persons belonging to the high risk group. Molecular studies enable the detection of mutation carriers and release from unreasonable stress of persons from the group with increased risk of cancer occurrence. The mutation spectrums in the genes predisposing to colorectal cancer in the Polish population have been described [1-4]. In the present work we focused on recurrent mutations of the APC gene causing FAP [5].

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is characterized by the appearance of numerous polyps in the large intestine. Untreated polyps lead to the development of colorectal cancer before age of 50 years. FAP is a genetically determined disorder, inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. The correlation between mutations of the APC gene and the occurrence of familial adenomatous polyposis was described in 1991 [1,2] and since then, mutations of the APC gene have been investigated in research centres leading to identification of various mutation types. APC gene mutations arise de novo in 1 per 10,000 newborns. The APC gene is localized on chromosome 5q21 and consists of 21 exons. Mutations of the APC gene, in most cases, are small deletions or insertions with the most frequent mutations, in the greater part of the described populations, being the AAAGA deletion at codon 1309 and the ACAAA deletion at codon 1061.

Patients

Clinical diagnoses of FAP patients were conducted in collaborating genetic centres or gastroenterology clinics in the place of residence of patients. So far, samples of DNA belonging to 280 Polish FAP families have been collected in the DNA bank of Polish FAP families established in 1997 at the Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Science in Poznan.

Molecular methods

DNA was extracted from peripheral blood cells by the classical phenol purification method and entire coding sequence of APC gene was screened for mutations by PCR-HD and SSCP methods in 280 probands. DNA fragments showing heteroduplex or additional pattern in SSCP analysis were sequenced by direct PCR product sequencing and analyzed using a MegaBace 500 sequencer according to the manufacturer's specifications.

Results and discussion

We identified 72 mutations in 124 of our 280 FAP families and observed eight types of recurrent mutations. The mutations and age of onset are presented in Table 1. Two of them were localized in exon 11 and the remaining six in the 3' part of exon 15. The most frequent mutation, 3927–3931delAAAGA, occurred in twenty-eight families (10%); the second one was 3183–3187delACAAA, occurring in eight families (2.8%); and the third most frequent mutation was 3202–3205delTCAA, detected in 5 families (1.7%). In our FAP patients Y500X occurred in four families (1.4%) while Q978X was detected in three families. Each of the remaining four types of mutation occurred in two families and the frequencies of these mutations were below one percent.

Table 1.

Fifty-four recurrent mutations identified in APC gene and age of onset in a group of 124 diagnosed Polish FAP families

No. Family Clinical manifestation Mutation Exon Age of onset
1. 9001 FAP 1490–1491insT 11 35
2. 9129 FAP 1490–1491insT 11 10
3. 9117 FAP 1500T>A 11 ND
4. 9141 FAP 1500T>A 11 ND
5. 9158 FAP 1500T>A 11 ND
6. 9182 FAP 1500T>A 11 ND
7. 9031 FAP 2626subC>T 15 ND
8. 9043 FAP 2626subC>T 15 30
9. 9099 FAP 2932C>T 15 ND
10. 9139 FAP 2932C>T 15 ND
11. 9152 FAP 2932C>T 15 ND
12. 9028 FAP 3183–3187delACAAA 15 28
13. 9067 FAP 3183–3187delACAAA 15 19
14. 9093 FAP 3183–3187delACAAA 15 17
15. 9108 FAP 3183–3187delACAAA 15 ND
16. 9111 FAP 3183–3187delACAAA 15 ND
17. 9192 FAP 3183–3187delACAAA 15 ND
18. 9262 FAP 3183–3187delACAAA 15 24
19. 9311 FAP 3183–3187delACAAA 15 ND
20. 9088 FAP 3202–3205delTCAA 15 30
21. 9106 FAP 3202–3205delTCAA 15 26
22. 9213 FAP 3202–3205delTCAA 15 28
23. 9226 FAP 3202–3205delTCAA 15 ND
24. 9342 FAP 3202–3205delTCAA 15 12
25. 9016 FAP 3927–3931delAAAGA 15 20
26. 9032 FAP 3927–3931delAAAGA 15 ND
27. 9036 FAP 3927–3931delAAAGA 15 13
28. 9059 FAP 3927–3931delAAAGA 15 18
29. 9065 FAP 3927–3931delAAAGA 15 36
30. 9069 FAP 3927–3931delAAAGA 15 ND
31. 9071 FAP 3927–3931delAAAGA 15 36
32. 9075 FAP 3927–3931delAAAGA 15 ND
33. 9084 FAP 3927–3931delAAAGA 15 ND
34. 9103 FAP 3927–3931delAAAGA 15 26
35. 9104 FAP 3927–3931delAAAGA 15 ND
36. 9105 FAP 3927–3931delAAAGA 15 20
37. 9118 FAP 3927–3931delAAAGA 15 ND
38. 9142 FAP 3927–3931delAAAGA 15 ND
39. 9147 FAP 3927–3931delAAAGA 15 29
40. 9149 FAP 3927–3931delAAAGA 15 16
41. 9162 FAP 3927–3931delAAAGA 15 ND
42. 9187 FAP 3927–3931delAAAGA 15 ND
43. 9193 FAP 3927–3931delAAAGA 15 ND
44. 9229 FAP 3927–3931delAAAGA 15 22
45. 9235 FAP 3927–3931delAAAGA 15 ND
46. 9237 FAP 3927–3931delAAAGA 15 21
47. 9244 FAP 3927–3931delAAAGA 15 16
48. 9292 FAP 3927–3931delAAAGA 15 19
49. 9300 FAP 3927–3931delAAAGA 15 17
50. 9312 FAP 3927–3931delAAAGA 15 ND
51. 9321 FAP 3927–3931delAAAGA 15 31
52. 9324 FAP 3927–3931delAAAGA 15 ND
53. 9070 Gardner syndrome 4129–4130delGT 15 ND
54. 9119 FAP 4129–4130delGT 15 ND
Open in a new tab

ND – no data available

In the Human Mutations Database at the Institute of Medical Genetics in Cardiff http://www.hgmd.cf.ac.uk/ac/gene.php?gene=APC, considered the most representative population in the world, seven hundred mutations are listed for the APC gene. The most important mutation of the APC gene is 3927–3931delAAAGA. The frequency of these mutations varies depending on populations. The mutation reports describe the frequency of this mutation from 0% in northwest Spain, 2.4% in the Australian population, 5% in Dutch, 7% in Israeli to 16% in the group of Italian FAP patients [6-9]. The second most frequent mutation, 3183–3187delACAAA, is reported with frequency ranging from 0% in northwest Spain, 1.5% in Israeli populations to 8.4% in Australia [6-9]. A study of over 100 Dutch families revealed equal frequency of those two most frequent mutations (3927–3931delAAAGA and 3183–3187delACAAA) [10]. The largest studies of APC gene mutations were performed on a German population [11,12]. The latest published report in 2005 involved the analysis of over 1000 patients. In comparison to this study, the representative study of mutation frequency in the neighbouring population indicated two times higher frequency of 3927–3931delAAAGA, whereas a difference in frequency of 3183–3187del-ACAAA was not observed (Germany 3.8%, Poland 2.7%). The frequency of 3202–3205delTCAA was equal (1.7%) in both populations. In worldwide comparison differences in the frequency of mutations were observed. The Polish population of FAP patients belongs to the group where 3927–3931delAAAGA occurred with higher frequency, whereas the frequency of mutation 3183–3187del-ACAAA occurred with medium frequency in comparison with other populations. The two recurrent mutations localized on exon 11 were observed only in the Polish population. In our two unrelated families with 1490–1491insT brain tumours were observed. Additionally in one family desmoid tumours occurred [10,13]. Another mutation (Q978X) did not occur with higher frequency as described for other populations [14]. In our FAP patient group Q283X, which occurs with frequency of 4.5% in UK FAP patients, was not observed [13]. Recurrent mutations occurred in 54 Polish FAP families. Screening for these mutations permitted us to diagnose 19% of all families in our population but eight types of mutations constitute 43.5% of all our diagnosed families. The mutation study in our population should involve these eight mutations to improve molecular diagnostics of the APC gene.

The study was financed by grant 2P05A10728 from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.

References

  1. Plawski A, Lubiński J, Banasiewicz T, Paszkowski J, Lipinski D, Strembalska A, Kurzawski G, Byrski T, Zajaczek S, Hodorowicz-Zaniewska D, Gach T, Brozek I, Nowakowska D, Czkwaniec E, Krokowicz P, Drews M, Zeyland J, Juzwa W, Słomski R. Novel germline mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli gene in Polish families with familial adenomatous polyposis. J Med Genet. 2004;41:e11. doi: 10.1136/jmg.2003.010215. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Skrzypczak M, Podralska M, Heinritz W, Froster UG, Lipinski D, Slomski R, Plawski A. The MYH gene status in Polish FAP patients without the APC gene mutations. Heredit Cancer Clin Pract. 2006;4:43–47. doi: 10.1186/1897-4287-4-1-43. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Kurzawski G, Suchy J, Ktadny J, Safranow K, Jakubowska A, Elsakov P, Kucinskas V, Gardovski J, Irmejs A, Sibul H, Huzarski T, Byrski T, Debniak T, Cybulski C, Gronwald J, Oszurek O, Clark J, Góźdź S, Niepsuj S, Słomski R, Pławski A, Łacka-Wojciechowska A, Rozmiarek A, Fiszer-Maliszewska Ł, Bebenek M, Sorokin D, Stawicka M, Godlewski D, Richter P, Brozek I, Wysocka B, Jawień A, Banaszkiewicz Z, Kowalczyk J, Czudowska D, Goretzki PE, Moeslein G, Lubiński J. Germline MSH2 and MLH1 mutational spectrum in HNPCC families from Poland and the Baltic States. J Med Genet. 2002;39:E65. doi: 10.1136/jmg.39.10.e65. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Kurzawski G, Suchy J, Lener M, Kłujszo-Grabowska E, Ktadny J, Safranow K, Jakubowska K, Jakubowska A, Huzarski T, Byrski T, Debniak T, Cybulski C, Gronwald J, Oszurek O, Oszutowska D, Kowalska E, Góźdź S, Niepsuj S, Słomski R, Pławski A, Łacka-Wojciechowska A, Rozmiarek A, Fiszer-Maliszewska Ł, Bebenek M, Sorokin D, Sasiadek MM, Stembalska A, Grzebieniak Z, Kilar E, Stawicka M, Godlewski D, Richter P, Brozek I, Wysocka B, Limon J, Jawień A, Banaszkiewicz Z, Janiszewska H, Kowalczyk J, Czudowska D, Scott RJ, Lubiński J. Germline MSH2 and MLH1 mutational spectrum including large rearrangements in HNPCC families from Poland (update study) Clin Genet. 2006;69:40–47. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-0004.2006.00550.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Groden J, Thliveris A, Samowitz W, Carlson M, Gelbert L, Albertsen H, Joslyn G, Stevens J, Spirio L, Robertson M, et al. Identification and characterization of the familial adenomatous polyposis coli gene. Cell. 1991;66:589–600. doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(81)90021-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Gavert N, Yaron Y, Naiman T, Bercovich D, Rozen P, Shomrat R, Legum C, Orr-Urtreger A. Molecular analysis of the APC gene in 71 Israeli families: 17 novel mutations. Hum Mutat. 2002;19:664. doi: 10.1002/humu.9037. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Schnitzler M, et al. Frequency of codon 1061 and codon 1309 APC mutations in Australian familial adenomatous polyposis patients. Hum Mutat. 1998;(Suppl 1):S56–S57. doi: 10.1002/humu.1380110120. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Ruiz-Ponte C, Vega A, Carracedo A, Barros F. Mutation analysis of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene in northwest Spanish patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and sporadic colorectal cancer. Hum Mutat. 2001;18:355. doi: 10.1002/humu.1198. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Varesco L, Gismondi V, James R, De Benedetti L, Heouaine A, Biticchi R, Masetti E, Bertario L, Sala P, Grammatico P, et al. APC gene mutations in Italian familial polyposis coli patients. Cancer Detect Prev. 1993;17:279–281. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Luijt RB van der, Khan PM, Vasen HF, Tops CM, van Leeuwen-Cornelisse IS, Wijnen JT, Klift HM van der, Plug RJ, Griffioen G, Fodde R. Molecular analysis of the APC gene in 105 Dutch kindreds with familial adenomatous polyposis: 67 germline mutations identified by DGGE, PTT, and southern analysis. Hum Mutat. 1997;9:7–16. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1098-1004(1997)9:1<7::AID-HUMU2>3.0.CO;2-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Friedl W, Caspari R, Sengteller M, Uhlhaas S, Lamberti C, Jungck M, Kadmon M, Wolf M, Fahnenstich J, Gebert J, Möslein G, Mangold E, Propping P. Can APC mutation analysis contribute to therapeutic decisions in familial adenomatous polyposis? Experience from 680 FAP families. Gut. 2001;48:515–521. doi: 10.1136/gut.48.4.515. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Friedl W, Aretz S. Familial adenomatous polyposis: experience from a study of 1164 urelated German plyposis patients. Heredit Cancer Clin Pract. 2005;3:87–114. doi: 10.1186/1897-4287-3-3-95. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Wallis Y, Morton D, McKeown C, Macdonald F. Molecular analysis of the APC gene in 205 families: extended genotype-phenotype correlations in FAP and evidence for the role of APC amino acid changes in colorectal cancer predisposition. J Med Genet. 1999;36:14–20. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Björk J, Akerbrant H, Iselius L, Bergman A, Engwall Y, Wahlström J, Martinsson T, Nordling M, Hultcrantz R. Periampullary adenomas and adenocarcinomas in familial adenomatous polyposis: cumulative risks and APC gene mutations. Gastroenterology. 2001;121:1127–1135. doi: 10.1053/gast.2001.28707. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Hereditary Cancer in Clinical Practice are provided here courtesy of BMC

RESOURCES