Abstract
A germ-line mutation of hMSH6 (also called GTBP) was found in a hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC)-like patient in whom germ-line mutations of hMSH2, hMSH3, or hMLH1 had not been detected. The patient had rectal cancer and two colon adenomas at 62 years of age and a weak family history of gastrointestinal tumors, indicating atypical HNPCC. Somatic mutations of hMSH6 were observed in three colorectal tumors from the patient, indicating two-hit inactivation. Microsatellite instabilities at mononucleotide repeats were detected in all three tumors. These data suggest that hMSH6 is responsible for tumorigenesis in atypical HNPCC.
Supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Priority Areas from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture of Japan (to Y. A. and Y. Y.) and by a research grant from the Princess Takamatsu Cancer Research Fund (to Y. Y.).
