One hotspot RB1 mutation disrupt RB1 function founded in a Chinese patient

Retinoblastoma is divided into two clinical types, sporadic and heritable, and is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in infancy and childhood. It was the first malignancy to demonstrate the genetic etiology of cancer, with the RB1 gene as the only pathological gene present in heritable cases. Although the RB1 mutation p.E125* had been previously reported in other retinoblastoma patients, it lacked functional analysis.

In this study, we identified the RB1 p.E125* mutation in a bilateral retinoblastoma patient from China. We investigated the distribution, cell localization, and function of this mutation using molecular biology and structural analysis following the transfection of cells with plasmids encoding the mutant RB1 gene.

Functional analyses revealed abnormal protein localization, altered cell cycle distribution, and apoptosis in cells transfected with the mutant RB1 plasmids.

Our findings contribute to a better understanding of RB1 mutation hotspots. Furthermore, our results highlight the importance of offering targeted genetic testing and counseling to families with RB1 mutations. The identification of the somatic origin of this mutation was vital in ruling out the heritability of this condition in this specific patient.