Six novel MEN1 gene mutations in sporadic parathyroid tumors

Parathyroid Carcinoma and Adenoma Co-existing in One Patient: Case Report and Comparative Proteomic Analysis

BACKGROUND/AIM

The lack of specific parathyroid carcinoma (PC) biomarkers in clinical practice points out the importance of analyzing the proteomic signature of this cancer. We performed a comparative proteomic analysis of PC and parathyroid adenoma (PA) co-existing in the same patient.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

PC and PA were taken from a 63-year-old patient. Using two-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) coupled to mass spectrometry we examined the differences between PC and PA proteins. For validation, additional PC and PA samples were obtained from 10 patients. Western blot analysis was used to validate the difference of expression observed with 2D-DIGE analysis. Bioinfomatic analysis was performed using QIAGEN's Ingenuity Pathways Analysis (IPA) to determine the predominant canonical pathways and interaction networks involved.

RESULTS

Thirty-three differentially expressed proteins were identified in PC compared to PA. Among these, ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase-L1 (UCH-L1) was highly overexpressed in PC. The result was confirmed by Western Blot analysis in additional PC samples.

CONCLUSION

Our comparative proteomic analysis of co-existing neoplasms allowed detecting specific and peculiar differences between PC and PA overcoming population biological variability.

Comprehensive Analysis of MEN1 Mutations and Their Role in Cancer

Simple Summary

Cancers are characterized by accumulation of genetic mutations in key cell cycle regulators that alter or disable the function of these genes. Such mutations can be inherited or arise spontaneously during the life of the individual. The MEN1 gene prevents uncontrolled cell division and it is considered a tumor suppressor. Inherited MEN1 mutations are associated with certain parathyroid and pancreatic syndromes while spontaneous mutations have been detected in cancer cells. We investigated whether inherited mutations appear in cancer cells which would suggest that patients with parathyroid and pancreatic syndromes have a predisposition to develop cancer. We find a weak correlation between the spectrum of inherited mutations and those appearing spontaneously. Thus, inherited MEN1 mutations may not be a good predictor of tumorigenesis.

Abstract

MENIN is a scaffold protein encoded by the MEN1 gene that functions in multiple biological processes, including cell proliferation, migration, gene expression, and DNA damage repair. MEN1 is a tumor suppressor gene, and mutations that disrupts MEN1 function are common to many tumor types. Mutations within MEN1 may also be inherited (germline). Many of these inherited mutations are associated with a number of pathogenic syndromes of the parathyroid and pancreas, and some also predispose patients to hyperplasia. In this study, we cataloged the reported germline mutations from the ClinVar database and compared them with the somatic mutations detected in cancers from the Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer (COSMIC) database. We then used statistical software to determine the probability of mutations being pathogenic or driver. Our data show that many confirmed germline mutations do not appear in tumor samples. Thus, most mutations that disable MEN1 function in tumors are somatic in nature. Furthermore, of the germline mutations that do appear in tumors, only a fraction has the potential to be pathogenic or driver mutations.

MEN1 gene mutation with parathyroid carcinoma: first report of a familial case

BACKGROUND

The occurrence of parathyroid carcinoma in multiple endocrine neoplasia type I (MENI) is rare and the 15 cases of malignant parathyroid tumor reported so far have been associated with MENI in individuals and not with multiple members within a family.

METHODS

We report on a 61-year-old male, operated for a 7.3 cm parathyroid carcinoma infiltrating the esophagus. In his brother, a 4.6 cm parathyroid carcinoma was diagnosed histologically, while in the daughter, neck ultrasonography revealed 2 extrathyroidal nodules, yet to be excised.

RESULTS

Screening of the MEN1 gene identified a known germline heterozygous missense mutation (c.1252G>A; p.D418N) in exon 9, in all affected subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

The occurrence of parathyroid carcinoma in more than one affected member of a single MEN1 family represents the first reported familial case. This suggests that additional constitutional genetic mutations may contribute to the variation in malignant potential and clinical behavior of parathyroid tumors in MEN1.

Novel association of MEN1 gene mutations with parathyroid carcinoma

Inactivating mutations of the multiple endocrine neoplasia 1 (MEN1) gene cause MEN1 syndrome, characterized by primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT), and parathyroid and gastro-entero-pancreatic pituitary tumors. At present, only 14 cases of malignant parathyroid tumor have been associated with the syndrome, with 6 cases carrying an inactivating mutation of the MEN1 gene. The present study presents the case of a 48-year-old female who presented with multigland pHPT and multiple pancreatic lesions. The patient underwent surgery several times for the excision of parathyroid hyperplasia, carcinoma and adenoma. The MEN1 gene was screened, revealing three variants (in cis) at the intron/exon 3 boundary (IVS2-3G>C, c.497A>T and c.499G>T) detected on the DNA of the proband, not shared by her relatives. RNA sequencing revealed that the IVS2-3C>G variant caused the skipping of the exon 3. Therefore, the present study reports on a novel rare association of MEN1 syndrome and parathyroid carcinoma. The reported splicing mutation was previously identified in subjects who always developed malignant lesions; thus, a possible genotype-phenotype association may be considered.

Loss of p27 expression is associated with MEN1 gene mutations in sporadic parathyroid adenomas

MEN1 is the main gene responsible for tumorigenesis of syndromic and sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Germline mutations of the CDKN1B/p27^Kip gene have been associated with multiple endocrine tumors in rats and humans. To evaluate the involvement of the CDKN1B gene and its relationship with MEN1 in sporadic PHPT, we carried out sequencing and loss of heterozygosity analyses of the CDKN1B gene in 147 sporadic parathyroid adenomas. p27 immunohistochemistry and genetic screening of the MEN1 gene were performed in 50 cases. Three germline CDKN1B variants (c.-80C>T, c.-29_-26delAGAG, c.397C>A) were identified in 3/147 patients. Reduction of CDKN1B gene transcription rate was demonstrated in vitro for the novel c.-80C>T and the c.-29_-26delAGAG variants. Loss of p27 expression was detected in the tumor carrying the c.-29_-26delAGAG variant. Two tumors carrying the CDKN1B variants also harbored a MEN1 mutation. Fifty-four percent of 50 CDKN1B mutation-negative tumors had a reduction of p27 nuclear staining. Somatic MEN1 mutations, identified in 15/50 samples, significantly segregated in tumors negative for nuclear and cytoplasmic p27 staining. The germline nature of the CDKN1B mutations suggests that they might predispose to PHPT. The lack of somatic CDKN1B mutations in our samples points to a rare involvement in parathyroid adenomas, despite the frequent loss of nuclear p27 expression. MEN1 biallelic inactivation seems to be directly related to down-regulation of p27 expression through the inhibition of CDKN1B gene transcription.

Primary hyperparathyroidism

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a common disorder in which parathyroid hormone (PTH) is excessively secreted from one or more of the four parathyroid glands. A single benign parathyroid adenoma is the cause in most people. However, multiglandular disease is not rare and is typically seen in familial PHPT syndromes. The genetics of PHPT is usually monoclonal when a single gland is involved and polyclonal when multiglandular disease is present. The genes that have been implicated in PHPT include proto-oncogenes and tumour-suppressor genes. Hypercalcaemia is the biochemical hallmark of PHPT. Usually, the concentration of PTH is frankly increased but can remain within the normal range, which is abnormal in the setting of hypercalcaemia. Normocalcaemic PHPT, a variant in which the serum calcium level is persistently normal but PTH levels are increased in the absence of an obvious inciting stimulus, is now recognized. The clinical presentation of PHPT varies from asymptomatic disease (seen in countries where biochemical screening is routine) to classic symptomatic disease in which renal and/or skeletal complications are observed. Management guidelines have recently been revised to help the clinician to decide on the merits of a parathyroidectomy or a non-surgical course. This Primer covers these areas with particular attention to the epidemiology, clinical presentations, genetics, evaluation and guidelines for the management of PHPT.

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor interacting protein (AIP) mutations occur rarely in sporadic parathyroid adenomas

CONTEXT

The molecular pathogenesis of primary hyperparathyroidism is still largely unknown. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor interacting protein (AIP) gene has a major role in the pathogenesis of familial isolated pituitary adenoma.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the involvement of the AIP gene in sporadic parathyroid adenomas.

PATIENTS AND DESIGN

We performed direct sequencing and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification analyses of the AIP gene in a large series of sporadic parathyroid adenomas. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the AIP locus was studied, and aryl hydrocarbon receptor interacting protein immunostaining was also performed. In addition, alterations in the MEN1 gene were studied.

RESULTS

A somatic AIP mutation, substitution of arginine with glutamine at codon 304 (R304Q), was identified in 2 of 132 tumors. The mutation was germline in both cases despite the nonfamilial presentation. Heterozygous AIP large deletions were detected in 29 cases including 1 of the 2 mutated tumors, confirming a biallelic inactivation of the AIP gene. The AIP-mutated tumor with LOH showed decreased AIP immunostaining compared with normal parathyroid. LOH at the MEN1 locus, which often shared LOH at the AIP locus, was found in one third of tumors. Somatic MEN1 mutations were found in the 1 of the 2 AIP-mutated tumors and in 22 parathyroid adenomas. In addition, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification analysis revealed 1 large deletion of the MEN1 gene in 1 patient.

CONCLUSIONS

The AIP gene is rarely involved in parathyroid adenomas, but the germline nature of the mutations suggests that it might predispose to primary hyperparathyroidism. MEN1 gene alterations occur in a substantial proportion of sporadic parathyroid adenomas.

A novel missense mutation in the MEN1 gene in a patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1

OBJECTIVE

To describe a novel germline missense mutation in exon 2 of the MEN1 gene identified in a man with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1).

METHODS

We describe the patient's clinical, laboratory, and genetic data, and we review the relevant literature.

RESULTS

A 41-year-old man with a history of primary hyperparathyroidism and left lower parathyroidectomy presented with nausea, vomiting, and hematemesis. Laboratory data revealed an elevated gastrin level. Computed tomography of the abdomen demonstrated a 3.5-cm mass in the head of pancreas. A functional study with a somatostatin receptor scan showed increased uptake in the region of the pancreatic mass. The patient's symptoms promptly improved after the Whipple procedure, although he was also noted to have a markedly elevated calcium concentration along with inappropriately elevated parathyroid hormone levels. Sestamibi scan identified a hyperfunctioning right upper parathyroid gland. His calcium level normalized after parathyroidectomy, and results from pituitary hormone studies were all normal. Genetic testing of the MEN1 gene identified a novel mutation: Arg52Gly. The Arg52Gly mutation replaces the normal arginine residue (CGC) with a glycine residue (GGC) at position 52 of the resultant menin protein. This mutation was present in family members from 3 generations.

CONCLUSIONS

We report a novel disease-causing germline missense mutation in exon 2 of the MEN1 gene in a patient with MEN 1. Nonconservative replacement of arginine, a small, neutral amino acid, with glycine, a bulky positively charged amino acid, could potentially have a deleterious effect on the menin protein.

A proteomic approach to study parathyroid glands

Parathyroid tumours are heterogeneous and in some cases the diagnosis may be difficult using histological features. In this study we used a two-dimensional electrophoresis (2D)/mass spectrometry (MS)-based approach to examine the global changes of parathyroid adenoma tissues protein profile compared to the parathyroid normal tissues. Validation of protein expression was performed by immunoblotting using specific antibodies. Ingenuity software was used to identify the biological processes to which these proteins belong and to construct a potential network. A total of 30 proteins were found to be differentially expressed, of which 22 resulted in being over-expressed. Proteins identified by 2D/MS/MS proteomics were classified into functional categories and a major change (≥ 2-fold) in terms of expression was found in proteins involved in response to biotic stimuli, cell organization and signal transduction. After Ingenuity analysis, 14-3-3 ζ/δ appears to be a key protein in the network of parathyroid adenoma, where it is linked to other proteins such as annexin A2, B box and SPRY domain-containing protein (BSPRY), p53 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Our results suggest that the proteomic approach was able to differentiate the protein profiles of normal parathyroid and parathyroid adenoma and identify a panel of proteins which are differentially expressed. The functional role of these proteins in the network of intracellular pathways is discussed.

A novel germline mutation of MEN 1 gene in a patient with acromegaly and multiple endocrine tumors

Germline mutations of the MEN 1 gene are responsible for multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1), a dominantly inherited cancer syndrome characterized by tumors of the parathyroids, gastro-intestinal endocrine tissue, anterior pituitary and other endocrine tissues. We report on a 55-yr old woman, presenting with active acromegaly (due to GH-secreting microadenoma), associated to bilateral adrenal adenomatosis and Hürthle-cell thyroid neoplasia. No evidence of hyperparathyroidism or gastrin-secreting tumor was found. Peripheral blood genomic DNA was extracted, amplified by PCR, purified and analyzed by direct sequencing. The analysis revealed a heterozygous mutation in exon 4 of the MEN 1 gene: a G to A missense mutation at codon 229 (CGC-->CAC), which changes arginine to histidine. This mutation causes loss of the Hhal restriction site and can thus be employed for a rapid familiar screening. This case represents a newly recognized germline mutation of the MEN 1 gene.

MEN1 gene alterations do not correlate with the phenotype of sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism

Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in the MEN1 region on chromosome 11q13 and MEN1 gene mutations have been found in a subset of sporadic parathyroid tumors. The question of whether these genetic abnormalities in the parathyroid tumors might influence the clinical and biochemical characteristics of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) remains to be elucidated. The aim of the present study was to correlate the presence of MEN1 gene alterations in PHPT tumors with the clinical phenotype. Using microsatellite analysis for LOH at 11q13 and DNA sequencing of the coding exons, the MEN1 gene was studied in 38 parathyroid tumors of patients with sporadic PHPT. Fourteen tumors showed LOH at 11q13, and mutations of MEN1 gene were detected in 7 cases. The clinical and biochemical characteristics of patients were unrelated to the presence or absence of LOH and/or MEN1 gene mutations. In conclusion, MEN1 gene alterations are rather common in sporadic PHPT and their presence does not correlate with the clinical manifestations of the disease.

Genetic analysis of the MEN1 gene and HPRT2 locus in two Italian kindreds with familial isolated hyperparathyroidism

OBJECTIVES

Familial hyperparathyroidism may occur as part of hereditary syndromes, including multiple endocrine neoplasia types 1 and 2 (MEN1 and MEN2A), hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumour (HPT-JT) syndrome and familial isolated hyperparathyroidism (FIHP). It is unclear whether the latter is a distinct genetic entity or a variant of MEN1 or HPT-JT, where, because of reduced penetrance, only primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is present. In the present study, we describe two unrelated Italian kindreds with FIHP, in which the clinical, histopathological and genetic analyses of the MEN1 gene and HPRT2 locus at 1q21-32 suggest that both might be a variant of MEN1 and HPT-JT syndromes.

PATIENTS AND DESIGN

We studied 16 members, aged 14-50 years, of two unrelated kindreds with FIHP. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood leucocytes in all family members, and from parathyroid tissue in those who underwent parathyroidectomy.

MEASUREMENTS

Ionized calcium and PTH were measured in all family members. The nine coding exons and 16 splice junctions of the MEN1 gene from constitutional DNA were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced. Parathyroid glands were obtained from five subjects. Allelic deletions (loss of heterozygosity, LOH) of chromosomes 11q13 and 1q21-q32 were assessed using PYGM and D11S449, and D1S215, D1S222, D1S428, D1S412, D1S413 and D1S477, respectively. Forward primers were conjugated with 5' fluorescent dye. PCR products were analysed using an ABI PRISM 310 sequencer.

RESULTS

Five members of family 1 and three of family 2 had PHPT. A heterozygous deletion of 1 bp of the MEN1 gene in exon 10 (1785delA) was found in affected members of family 1. No MEN1 gene mutation was found in any member of family 2. LOH at 11q13 was observed in family 1 tumours, but not in those from family 2. Studies at 1q21-32 showed LOH in two family 2 tumours, whereas a retained heterozygosity was found in the remaining member. No LOH at 1q21-32 was found in family 1 tumours. The pathology of family 1 showed chief cell hyperplasia with a diffuse-nodular pattern of growth. Cut surface showed no cystic structures. Typical parathyroid adenoma was diagnosed in one member of family 2 and atypical adenoma in the remaining two. These tumours showed cystic structures.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, we describe two unrelated kindreds with FIHP which, on the basis of histopathological and genetic studies, could be labelled as variants of the MEN1 and HPT-JT syndromes, respectively. Therefore, an extensive analysis of the genes involved in these diseases should be performed in families with familial isolated hyperparathyroidism to identify the subset linked to the MEN1 gene or to the HPRT2 locus.