Nine novel pathogenic germline mutations in MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2 in families with Lynch syndrome

Many germline mutations in the DNA mismatch repair genes have been described so far leading to the clinical phenotype of Lynch syndrome (hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, HNPCC). Most mutations are private mutations. We report on nine novel pathogenic germline mutations that have been found in families meeting either the Amsterdam or the Bethesda criteria. These findings include the mutations MLH1,c.884+4A>G, MLH1,c.1377_1378insA;p.Glu460ArgfsX19, MLH1,c.1415_1416delGA;p.Arg472ThrfsX5, MSH2,c.301G>T;p.Glu101X, MSH2,c.638_639delTG;p.Leu213GlnfsX18, MSH2,c.842C>A;p.Ser281X, MSH2,c.859G>T;p.Gly287X, MSH6,c.2503C>T;p.Gln835X and a large genomic deletion of exons 1-10 of the PMS2 gene. The mutation MLH1,c.884+4A>G detected in two families results in a complete skipping of exon 10 on mRNA level and thus has been considered as pathogenic. In all cases the tumor tissue of the index patient revealed high microsatellite instability (MSI-H) and showed a complete loss of expression of the affected protein in the tumor cells by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The findings underline the importance of a pre-screening of tumor tissue for an efficient definition of conspicuous cases.