Three-step site-directed mutagenesis screen identifies pathogenic MLH1 variants associated with Lynch syndrome

Houlleberghs, H.; Dekker, M.; Lusseveld, J.; Pieters, W.; Ravesteyn, T. van; Verhoef, S.; Hofstra, R.M.W.; Riele, H. te

doi:doi:10.1136/jmedgenet-2019-106520

BackgroundInactivating mutations in the MLH1 DNA mismatch repair (MMR) gene underlie 42% of Lynch syndrome (LS) cases. LS is a cancer predisposition causing early onset colorectal and endometrial cancer. Nonsense and frameshift alterations unambiguously cause LS. The phenotype of missense mutations that only alter a single amino acid is often unclear. These variants of uncertain significance (VUS) hinder LS diagnosis and family screening and therefore functional tests are urgently needed. We developed a functional test for MLH1 VUS termed 'oligonucleotide-directed mutation screening' (ODMS).MethodsThe MLH1 variant was introduced by oligonucleotide-directed gene modification in mouse embryonic stem cells that were subsequently exposed to the guanine analogue 6-thioguanine to determine whether the variant abrogated MMR.ResutsIn a proof-of-principle analysis, we demonstrate that ODMS can distinguish pathogenic and non-pathogenic MLH1 variants with a sensitivity of >95% and a...Show moreBackgroundInactivating mutations in the MLH1 DNA mismatch repair (MMR) gene underlie 42% of Lynch syndrome (LS) cases. LS is a cancer predisposition causing early onset colorectal and endometrial cancer. Nonsense and frameshift alterations unambiguously cause LS. The phenotype of missense mutations that only alter a single amino acid is often unclear. These variants of uncertain significance (VUS) hinder LS diagnosis and family screening and therefore functional tests are urgently needed. We developed a functional test for MLH1 VUS termed 'oligonucleotide-directed mutation screening' (ODMS).MethodsThe MLH1 variant was introduced by oligonucleotide-directed gene modification in mouse embryonic stem cells that were subsequently exposed to the guanine analogue 6-thioguanine to determine whether the variant abrogated MMR.ResutsIn a proof-of-principle analysis, we demonstrate that ODMS can distinguish pathogenic and non-pathogenic MLH1 variants with a sensitivity of >95% and a specificity of >91%. We subsequently applied the screen to 51 MLH1 VUS and identified 31 pathogenic variants.ConclusionODMS is a reliable tool to identify pathogenic MLH1 variants. Implementation in clinical diagnostics will improve clinical care of patients with suspected LS and their relatives.Show less

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Three-step site-directed mutagenesis screen identifies pathogenic MLH1 variants associated with Lynch syndrome