Related Experiment Videos
Analysis of the NF2 gene in oligodendrogliomas and ependymomas
M Eva Alonso1, M Josefa Bello, Dolores Arjona
1Laboratorio de Oncogenética Molecular, Dept. C. Experimental, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Paseo de la Castellana 261, 28046 Madrid, Spain.
Abstract:
Allelic losses of chromosome 22 are commonly found in ependymomas and oligodendrogliomas, suggesting that at least one tumor suppressor gene on chromosome 22 must be inactivated during the multistep process of tumorigenesis in these glial tumors. The neurofibromatosis 2 gene (NF2) located at 22q12, is a candidate tumor suppressor gene potentially involved in the pathogenesis of gliomas. Because there have been only a few studies of the NF2 gene in glial tumors other than astrocytoma, we screened the entire 17 NF2 exons for mutations in a series of 47 nonastrocytic tumors, including 40 oligodendrogliomas and 7 ependymomas. Only one mutation was detected, a 59-base pair insertion in exon 3 from a spinal anaplastic ependymoma. These results concur with previous findings proposing preferential inactivation of the NF2 gene in a subgroup of ependymomas, and suggest that the NF2 gene is not the target of chromosome 22 aberrations in oligodendrogliomas.
Insights
Chromosome 22 allelic losses are common in ependymomas and oligodendrogliomas. The neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) gene was screened for mutations in these tumors, with only one found in an ependymoma.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Molecular genetics
- Cancer research
Background:
- Allelic losses on chromosome 22 are frequent in ependymomas and oligodendrogliomas.
- Tumor suppressor genes on chromosome 22 are implicated in glial tumor development.
- The neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) gene is a candidate tumor suppressor gene in glioma pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the NF2 gene in nonastrocytic gliomas.
- To screen all 17 exons of the NF2 gene for mutations in oligodendrogliomas and ependymomas.
Main Methods:
- Mutation screening of the entire NF2 gene (17 exons).
- Analysis of 47 nonastrocytic tumors (40 oligodendrogliomas, 7 ependymomas).
Main Results:
- A single NF2 mutation (59-base pair insertion in exon 3) was detected in one spinal anaplastic ependymoma.
- These findings support preferential NF2 gene inactivation in a subset of ependymomas.
- The NF2 gene does not appear to be the primary target of chromosome 22 alterations in oligodendrogliomas.
Conclusions:
- The NF2 gene is likely not the primary target of chromosome 22 aberrations in oligodendrogliomas.
- NF2 gene inactivation may play a role in a subgroup of ependymomas.