Familial medullary thyroid carcinoma and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B map to the same region of chromosome 10 as multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A.

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) occurs as a component of three well-described autosomal dominant familial cancer syndromes. Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN 2A) is characterized by MTC, pheochromocytomas, and parathyroid hyperplasia. Patients with the rarer multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B (MEN 2B) syndrome develop MTC and pheochromocytomas, as well as mucosal neuromas, ganglioneuromatosis of the gastrointestinal tract, and a characteristic "marfanoid" habitus. Finally, MTC is transmitted in an autosomal dominant pattern in some families without associated pheochromocytomas or parathyroid hyperplasia (familial medullary thyroid carcinoma, MTC1(2). Sixty-one members of two well-characterized kindreds segregating MTC1 and 34 [corrected] members of six families segregating MEN2B were genotyped using a panel of RFLP probes from the pericentromeric region of chromosome 10 near a locus for MEN 2A. Statistically significant linkage was observed between the chromosome 10 centromere-specific marker D10Z1 and MTC1 (maximum pairwise lod score 5.88 with 0% recombination) and D10Z1 and MEN2B (maximum pairwise lod score 3.58 with 0% recombination). A maximum multipoint lod score of 4.08 was obtained for MEN2B at the position of D10Z1. In addition, 92 members of a previously unreported large MEN2A kindred were genotyped, and linkage to the pericentromeric region of chromosome 10 is reported (maximum pairwise lod score of 11.33 with 0% recombination between MEN2A and RBP3). These results demonstrate that both a locus for familial MTC and a locus for MEN 2B map to the pericentromeric region of chromosome 10, in the same region as a locus for MEN 2A. The finding that each of these three clinically distinct familial cancer syndromes maps to the same chromosomal region suggests that all are allelic mutations at the same locus or represent a cluster of genes involved in the regulation of neuroendocrine tissue development.     

Genetic analysis of 24 French families with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A.

The gene for multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A) has been mapped to the pericentromeric region of chromosome 10 by linkage analysis. Thirty-four families with multiple cases of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid (MTC), including 24 families with origins in France, have been typed with nine polymorphic markers spanning the centromere of chromosome 10. No recombination was observed between the MEN2A locus and either of the four loci D10Z1 (lod score 12.79), D10S102 (lod score 6.38), D10S94 (lod score 7.76), and D10S34 (lod score 5.94). There was no evidence for genetic linkage heterogeneity in the panel of 34 families. Haplotypes were constructed for a total of 11 polymorphisms in the MEN2A region, for mutation-bearing chromosomes in 24 French families and for 100 spouse controls. One haplotype was present in four MEN2A families but was not observed in any control (P less than .01). Two additional families share a core segment of this haplotype near the MEN2A gene. It is likely that these six families have a common affected ancestor. Because the incidence of pheochromocytoma among carriers varies from 0% to 74% within these six families, it is probable that additional factors modify the expression of the MEN2A gene.     

Linked markers flanking the gene for multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A

The inherited cancer syndrome multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A) has recently been mapped to chromosome 10. We have typed 29 families with this disorder with DNA markers from the pericentromeric region of chromosome 10. Two markers, RBP3 and MCK2, were tightly linked to the MEN2A gene at recombination fractions of less than 3%. Multipoint analysis of the linkage data suggests that the gene is located within a 3-cM interval defined by the markers RBP3/MCK2 on one side and TB14.34 on the other. No evidence for locus heterogeneity was detected in any of the 27 families from 14 countries who were informative for the markers tested. The data confirm and refine the original assignment and provide the basis for presymptomatic screening for this disorder.     

The gene for MEN 2A is tightly linked to the centromere of chromosome 10

Summary We have examined 30 families with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2a (MEN2A). Linkage studies indicate that the gene for MEN2A is located on chromosome 10, tightly linked to the D10Z1 locus.     

Improved predictive test for MEN2, using flanking dinucleotide repeats and RFLPs.

Gene(s) for the autosomal dominant endocrine cancer syndromes, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A), multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B (MEN2B), and familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC1) all map to the pericentromeric region of chromosome 10. Predictive testing for the inheritance of mutant alleles in individuals at risk for these disorders has been limited by the availability of highly informative and closely linked flanking markers. We describe the development of eight new markers, including two PCR-based dinucleotide repeat polymorphisms and six RFLPs that flank the disease loci. One of the dinucleotide repeat markers (sJRH-1) derives from the RBP3 locus on 10q11.2 and has a PIC of .88. The other dinucleotide repeat (sTCL-1) defines a new locus, D10S176, that maps by in situ hybridization to 10p11.2 and has a PIC of .68. We have constructed a new genetic linkage map of the pericentromeric region of chromosome 10, on the basis of 13 polymorphisms at six loci, which places the MEN2A locus between the dinucleotide repeat markers, with odds of 5,750:1 over the next most likely position. Using this set of markers, predictive genetic testing of 130 at-risk individuals from six families segregating MEN2A revealed that 95% were jointly informative with flanking markers, representing a significant improvement in genetic testing capabilities.     

Thirty-one new RFLP systems detected by twenty-four DNA markers on human chromosome 10.

Thirty-one new RFLP systems corresponding to 24 loci have been identified from a chromosome 10-specific cosmid library. Twelve of the markers on the proximal long arm (cen-q11.2) of this chromosome, including four RFLP systems for the RET locus, will be especially useful in efforts to identify the gene responsible for multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A). The new panel of markers also may contribute to fine-scale mapping of tumor suppressor genes associated with glioblastoma multiforme or renal cell carcinoma, because allelic deletions in these tumors have implied the presence of a tumor suppressor gene(s) on chromosome 10.     

A cluster of expressed zinc finger protein genes in the pericentromeric region of human chromosome 10.

Three members of the human zinc finger Krüppel family, ZNF11/KOX2, ZNF22/KOX15, and ZNF25/KOX19, have been regionally localized to the pericentromeric region of chromosome 10 by in situ chromosomal hybridization and somatic cell hybrid analysis. ZNF25/KOX19 is located centromeric to a breakpoint in chromosome band 10q11.2 in the chromosome region 10p11.2-q11.2, whereas ZNF22/KOX15 maps distal to it in band 10q11.2. Sequences hybridizing to the KOX2 probe are found at two loci, ZNF11A and ZNF11B, that map proximal and distal to the 10q11.2 breakpoint, respectively. The two ZNF11 loci probably represent two related sequences in 10p11.2-q11.2. This cluster of ZNF/KOX genes is of particular interest since the loci for multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A and 2B (MEN2A and MEN2B) syndromes have been assigned to this region by linkage analysis.     

Germline mutations of the RET proto-oncogene in eight Japanese patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A)

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A) is a dominantly inherited cancer syndrome characterized by medullary thyroid carcinoma, pheochromocytoma, and parathyroid hyperplasia. The gene responsible for MEN2A was localized by linkage analysis to chromosome 10q11.2 in 1987, and recently mutations in RET, a proto-oncogene in the candidate region, were discovered in patients with MEN. The majority of mutations found so far in MEN2A patients have been located in nucleotide sequences encoding cysteine residues in the extracellular domain of RET. To characterize MEN2A germline alterations in the Japanese population, we screened DNA from eight unrelated patients for mutations in exons 10 and 11 of the RET proto-oncogene and found mutations in all eight patients, at codons 618, 620, or 634; each of these sites encodes a cysteine residue in the extracellular domain of RET. The mutations were confirmed in other affected individuals in the respective families by digestion of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products containing the mutated codons with restriction enzymes (RsaI, CfoI, or AluI) for which cleavage sites had been generated by the specific genetic alteration. These PCR-restriction enzyme systems will be useful for genetic diagnosis in members of families carrying these mutations.     

A DNA polymorphism in close physical linkage with the proopiomelanocortin gene

Cellular DNAs from a panel of 20 unrelated individuals were screened for restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) with a DNA probe containing the first exon of the proopiomelanocortin gene (POMC), which has been assigned to chromosome 2p23-25. Digestion with the restriction endonuclease Sst 1 revealed a high frequency RFLP. The two alleles that were found are fragments of 10- and 15-kilobase (kb) length and are in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium with frequencies of 72.6% and 27.4%, respectively. Informative families were tested for linkage between POMC/Sst 1 RFLP and other polymorphic markers of chromosome 2. Linkage was excluded to AcP-1 (2p23-25) at 15% recombination, which is still consistent with the chromosomal assignments for these genes. The close physical linkage (10 kb) of the polymorphic locus to the POMC gene makes this RFLP a suitable marker for future linkage studies involving the POMC gene.     

Linkage relationships of the protein kinase C gamma gene which exclude it as a candidate for myotonic dystrophy

Using a cDNA probe for the gamma gene of protein kinase C (PKCG), an informative RFLP with a PIC value of 0.62 has been identified with the enzyme MspI. The polymorphic bands have been assigned to chromosome 19. Analysis of the segregation of alleles for this probe in myotonic dystrophy families show several recombinants between PKCG and myotonic dystrophy (DM) and exclude this gene as a candidate for DM. Linkage relationships between PKCG and other loci on chromosome 19 are presented which exclude PKCG from the proximal region of chromosome 19 and which are consistent with the localization being at 19q13.2----qter.     

A new DNA marker (D10S94) very tightly linked to the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A) locus.

Combined somatic cell hybrid and linkage studies between D10S94 and five pericentromeric loci (FNRB, D10Z1, MEN2A, RBP3, and D10S15) have localized the new DNA sequence pcl1/A1S-6-c23 at D10S94 to 10q11.2. No recombinants were observed between D10S94 and D10Z1 or MEN2A. D10S94 maps in proximal 10q11.2 very near to MEN2A. There are three possible orders for the six loci that we investigated from the centromeric region of chromosome 10. At present the genetic data do not allow us to order MEN2A with respect to D10Z1 and D10S94. The three possible orders are FNRB-D10Z1-D10S94-MEN2A-RBP3-D10S15, FNRB-D10Z1-MEN2A-D10S94-RBP3-D10S15, and FNRB-MEN2A-D10Z1-D10S94-RBP3-D10S15. In view of the fact that no recombinants between D10S94 and MEN2A or between D10S94 and D10Z1 were observed, the combined haplotypes formed from RFLPs and D10Z1 and D10S94 will increase the informativeness and accuracy of genotype prediction for at-risk members of the families having the MEN 2A syndrome, particularly when the affected parent is female. The localization of D10S94 with respect to MEN2A will prove valuable in experiments directed toward cloning the MEN2A locus.     

Application of MEN 203 as a polymorphic DNA probe in screening multiple endocrine neoplasia 2a.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia 2a (MEN 2a) is known to be genetically linked to a locus on chromosome 10. The application of polymorphic DNA probes for the region has made it possible to identify carriers of the disease susceptible gene. We performed DNA analysis for a newly found non-Caucasian MEN 2a family using MEN 203 as a probe. Data from DNA analysis of the family members were concordant with the results of conventional endocrinological tests. Furthermore, DNA analysis discriminated four individuals out of fifteen as non-carriers of the gene with a high degree of certainty. The results relieved these people from taking screening tests for years. DNA analysis employing suitable markers such as MEN 203 appears to be useful for a screening program of MEN 2a in Japanese as well as Caucasians.     

A high-resolution meiotic mapping panel for the pericentromeric region of chromosome 10.

Familial multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN 2A) is a dominantly inherited cancer syndrome characterized by tumors in tissues derived from the neural crest. The disease manifests as medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, pheochromocytoma, and hyperparathyroidism. The MEN2A locus has been mapped near the centromere of chromosome 10 by linkage analysis. Statistical analyses have not resolved the location of MEN2A among several close markers. We have used our family material to refine the positions of 36 identified and confirmed crossovers among the markers most closely linked to MEN2A. This high-resolution meiotic mapping panel will help order loci in this pericentromeric region and narrow the region in which MEN2A maps.     

Isolation and high-resolution mapping of new DNA markers from the pericentromeric region of chromosome 10.

The gene responsible for multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN 2A) has been localized to the pericentromeric region of chromosome 10. Several markers that fail to recombine with MEN2A have been identified, including D10Z1, D10S94, D10S97, and D10S102. Meiotic mapping in the MEN2A region is limited by the paucity of critical crossovers identified and by the dramatically reduced rates of recombination in males. Additional approaches to mapping loci in the pericentromeric region of chromosome 10 are required. We have undertaken the generation of a detailed physical map by radiation hybrid mapping. Here we report the development of a radiation hybrid panel and its use in the mapping of new DNA markers in pericentromeric chromosome 10. The radiation-reduced hybrids used for mapping studies all retain small subchromosomal fragments that include both D10S94 and D10Z1. One hybrid was selected as the source of DNA for cloning. One hundred five human recombinant clones were isolated from a lambda library made with pp11A DNA. We have completed regional mapping of 22 of those clones using our radiation hybrid mapping panel. Seven markers have been identified and, when taken together with previously meiotically mapped markers, define eight radiation hybrid map intervals between D10S34 and RBP3. The identical order is found for a number of these using either the radiation hybrid mapping panel or the meiotic mapping panel. We believe that this combination cloning and mapping approach will facilitate the precise positioning of new markers in pericentromeric chromosome 10 and will help in refining further the localization of MEN2A.     

The genetic defect in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A maps next to the centromere of chromosome 10

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A) is a rare cancer syndrome that is inherited in an apparently autosomal dominant fashion. Previous linkage studies had assigned the MEN2A locus to chromosome 10 in the pericentromeric region. We recently have described several new easily scorable RFLPs for the chromosome 10-specific alpha satellite DNA (the D10Z1) locus that is known, on the basis of previous in situ hybridization experiments, to lie at the centromere. We report here tight linkage between MEN2A and D10Z1, as demonstrated by a maximum lod score of 12.02 at the recombination frequency of zero (1-lod-unit support interval 0-4 cM), indicating that the genetic defect in MEN2A lies in the immediate vicinity of the centromere. By means of a set of ordered polymorphic DNA markers from the pericentromeric region, multipoint as well as pairwise linkage analyses place the MEN2A locus at the middle of a small region (approximately 11 cM) bracketing the centromere with FNRB (at 10p11.2) and RBP3 (at 10q11.2) on either side, providing further support for the centromeric location of the MEN2A locus. Marked sex difference in recombination frequencies exists in this pericentromeric region: significantly (P less than .01) more female than male crossovers were observed across all of the adjacent intervals D10S24-FNRB, FNRB-D10Z1, and D10Z1-RBP3. However, a sex difference was not seen in the 7-cM interval from RBP3 to D10S5, suggesting that large variation in the sex difference in recombination can occur over small chromosomal regions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Genetic screening of endocrine tumour syndromes with DNA probes: the example of medullary thyroid carcinoma

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A) is an autosomal-dominant syndrome characterized by medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), pheochromocytoma and parathyroid hyperplasia. Recent reports have assigned the locus of MEN2A to the pericentromeric region of chromosome 10. Through the 'Groupe d'Etude des Tumeurs à Calcitonine', we have evaluated the ability to predict the carrier state using DNA probes. Our results suggest that the restriction fragment length polymorphism method can be used to identify individuals at risk within MEN2A families. They may then be followed by conventional endocrine methods for the onset of neoplastic changes, limiting the risk of subsequent metastatic disease. The method also permits the exclusion of further screening for family members at very low risk. Extension of the screening program can now be anticipated for other inherited forms of MTC, such as familial MTC without pheochromocytoma or other endocrinological tumor syndromes such as MEN1 for which the locus has also recently been mapped.     

Polymorphisms and linkage disequilibrium in the COL6A1 and COL6A2 gene cluster: novel DNA polymorphisms in the region of a candidate gene for congenital heart defects in Down's syndrome

The COL6A1 and COL6A2 (collagen VI) gene cluster on chromosome 21 is a candidate region for defects leading to congenital heart anomalies in Down's syndrome. We report a variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) and a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) in this gene region, detected using a COL6A1 cDNA probe. Linkage disequilibrium relationships were studied among the RFLPs of this gene cluster. The RFLP reported here shows no significant linkage disequilibrium with any others in the region. It has a polymorphism information content value of 0.27, raising the informativity of the locus.     

Linkage analysis of hereditary thyroid carcinoma with and without pheochromocytoma

Summary The use of polymorphic DNA segments as markers for the gene for the multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) syndrome, type 2a, allows the identification of family members at high risk for developing medullary carcinoma of the thyroid and other tumors, especially pheochromocytoma. Several families have also been identified in which medullary thyroid carcinoma is inherited, but pheochromocytoma is not seen. We have analysed 18 families, 9 with MEN 2A and 9 with medullary carcinoma of the thyroid without pheochromocytoma, with probes specific for the pericentromeric region of chromosome 10 and conclude that the mutations for the two presentations are closely situated. Genetic heterogeneity of the susceptibility locus was not seen among this sample of 18 families. The genetic mutation for medullary carcinoma was in disequilibrium with the marker alleles of the two closely linked probes. IRBPH4 and MCK2. These data suggest that different mutant alleles of the same gene or closely linked mutations account for the variation in penetrance of pheochromocytoma in families with hereditary, medullary thyroid carcinoma.     

Detection of a germline mutation at codon 918 of the RET proto-oncogene in French MEN 2B families

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A), type 2B (MEN 2B), and familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC) are three dominantly inherited disorders linked to the same disease locus on chromosome 10. Two types of germline mutation of the RET proto-oncogene, which codes for a transmembrane tyrosine kinase, are associated with MEN 2. Missense mutations at cysteine residues in the extra-cytoplasmic domain are exclusively associated with MEN 2A and FMTC. In MEN 2B patients, a single point mutation at codon 918 has recently been characterized, leading to the replacement of a methionine by a threonine within the RET tyrosine kinase domain. We now report the identification of a mutation at codon 918 in the germline of 16 patients out of 18 unrelated MEN 2B families analyzed. In these families we have been able to demonstrate that, in five cases, the mutation arose de novo, and that, in one kindred, it was coinherited with the disease. These results indicate that a unique mutation at codon 918 of the RET gene is the most prevalent genetic defect causing MEN 2B, but also that rare MEN 2B cases are associated with different mutations yet to be defined.