Microsatellite instability as a predictor of a mutation in a DNA mismatch repair gene in familial colorectal cancer

Germline alterations in human DNA mismatch repair genes are associated with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). Mutation analysis of the genes reveals carriers with a high risk of colorectal cancer, who will benefit from surveillance. We wanted to find the best predictive parameter of a germline mutation in those genes among patients with familial colorectal cancer. Affected members from a total of 83 unrelated colorectal cancer families previously analyzed for mutations in MSH2 and MLH1 were used to evaluate different parameters' ability to predict a germline mutation. We studied various clinical criteria such as family structure, age of onset, and prevalence of endometrial cancer, as well as microsatellite instability in the tumors from the families. In total, 124 tumors from 59 of the families were tested for microsatellite instability (MSI) using PCR-based mono- and dinucleotide markers to establish whether the families could be scored as MSI-positive or -negative. The finding of MSI-positive tumors in a family was the best predictor of a germline mutation, and was found in 73% of the MSI-positive, but in less than 3% of the MSI-negative families (P < 0.0001). In contrast, MSI in unselected colorectal cancer is not as useful, since most of these MSI-positive tumors are sporadic. The finding of microsatellite instability in colorectal tumors seems efficient enough even to select those with germline mutations among families fulfilling HNPCC Amsterdam criteria, once used in identification of the DNA mismatch repair genes. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 27:17-25, 2000.     

The role of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer in the management of familial ovarian cancer.

PURPOSE: Familial ovarian cancer is most often associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, implicating mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, another common syndrome, is also associated with ovarian cancer and is caused by DNA mismatch repair genes. We sought to identify the role of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer in women with family histories of ovarian cancer. METHODS: The likelihood of a genetic syndrome in 226 oophorectomized women in the Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry was determined by pedigree analysis using clinical criteria and by calculating the probability of a mutation in genes responsible for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer and hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer using available risk models. RESULTS: Some 86% had a BRCA gene mutation likelihood of 7.8% or higher, warranting consideration of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Of the 32 women below this threshold, 4 (12.5%) had family histories that met criteria for clinical diagnosis of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer. In addition, 16 women (7%) with a BRCA mutation likelihood greater than 7.8% met clinical criteria for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer or warranted its inclusion in the differential diagnosis. Among all study respondents, 9% had family histories warranting consideration of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer. CONCLUSION: Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer should be considered in the differential diagnosis of women with family histories of ovarian cancer.     

Loss of DNA mismatch repair function and cancer predisposition in the mouse: animal models for human hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer

Germline mutations in DNA mismatch repair genes underlie one of the most common hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes known in humans, hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). Defects of the DNA mismatch repair system are also prevalent in sporadic colorectal cancers. The generation of mice with targeted inactivating mutations in the mismatch repair genes has facilitated the in vivo study of how these genes function and how their individual loss contributes to tumorigenesis. Although there are notable limitations when using murine models to study the molecular basis of human cancer, there is remarkable similarity between the two species with respect to the contribution of individual members of the mismatch repair system to cancer susceptibility, and mouse mutants have greatly enhanced our understanding of the normal role of these genes in mutation avoidance and suppression of tumorigenesis.     

Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer: Review of clinical,molecular genetics,and counseling aspects

Lynch syndrome, or hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC), is an autosomal-dominant disease accounting for approximately 1–5% of all colorectal cancer cases. Due to the lack of pathognomonic morphological or biomolecular markers, HNPCC has traditionally posed unique problems to clinicians and geneticists alike, both in terms of diagnosis and clinical management. Recently, novel insight into the pathogenesis of this syndrome has been provided by the identification of its molecular basis. In HNPCC families, germline mutations in any of four genes encoding proteins of a specialized DNA repair system, the mismatch repair, predispose to cancer development. Mutations in mismatch repair genes lead to an overall increase of the mutation rate and are associated with a phenotype of length instability of microsatellite loci. The present report summarizes the clinicopathological aspects of HNPCC and reviews the most recent molecular and biochemical findings. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

遗传性非息肉性大肠癌患者中hMLH1和hMSH2基因遗传性突变的分析

目的通过分析遗传性非息肉性大肠癌（ＨＮＰＣＣ）患者错配修复基因的遗传性突变，对患者的家族成员进行遗传咨询和症状前的基因诊断。方法用ＰＣＲ－异源双链体形成、ＰＣＲ－ＳＳＣＰ和ＤＮＡ序列分析技术，检测１４例ＨＮＰＣＣ、１０例有家族史大肠癌患者的外周血细胞ＤＮＡ，分析其错配修复基因ｈＭＬＨ１、ｈＭＳＨ２的所有３５个外显子。结果确认４／１４的ＨＮＰＣＣ、１／１０有家族史的大肠癌患者携带遗传性错配修复基因的突变，其中２例见于ｈＭＬＨ１基因，３例ｈＭＳＨ２基因。突变类型：３例由碱基缺失导致的移码突变，１例无义突变，１例错义突变。结论ＨＮＰＣＣ的发生与错配修复基因的突变密切相关；在大肠癌患者中检测遗传性错配修复基因的突变不宜仅限于严格符合临床诊断标准的ＨＮＰＣＣ患者。     

Microsatellite Instability and Mutation of DNA Mismatch Repair Genes in Gliomas

Microsatellite instability (MSI) has been identified in various human cancers, particularly those associated with the hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome. Although gliomas have been reported in a few hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome kindred, data on the incidence of MSI in gliomas are conflicting, and the nature of the mismatch repair (MMR) defect is not known. We established the incidence of MSI and the underlying MMR gene mutation in 22 patients ages 45 years or less with sporadic high-grade gliomas (17 glioblastomas, 3 anaplastic astrocytomas, and 2 mixed gliomas, grade III). Using five microsatellite loci, four patients (18%) had high level MSI, with at least 40% unstable loci. Germline MMR gene mutation was detected in all four patients, with inactivation of the second allele of the corresponding MMR gene or loss of protein expression in the tumor tissue. Frameshift mutation in the mononucleotide tract of insulin-like growth factor type II receptor was found in one high-level MSI glioma, but none was found in the transforming growth factor β type II receptor and the Bax genes. There was no family history of cancer in three of the patients, and although one patient did have a family history of colorectal carcinoma, the case did not satisfy the Amsterdam criteria for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome. Three patients developed metachronous colorectal adenocarcinomas, fitting the criteria of Turcot’s syndrome. Thus, MSI and germline MMR gene mutation is present in a subset of young glioma patients, and these patients and their family members are at risk of developing other hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome-related tumors, in particular colorectal carcinomas. These results have important implications in the genetic testing and management of young patients with glioma and their families.     

中国汉族和韩国朝鲜族非患肉性结直肠癌家系临床及遗传学表型的比较分析

目的 分析和比较汉族和朝鲜族遗传性非息肉性结直肠癌(hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer,HNPCC)家系的临床及遗传学表型的异同点.方法 收集31个中国的汉族家系和63个韩国的朝鲜族家系先证者和家系成员的各项临床资料,对先证者外周血DNA进行相关基因hMLH和hMSH2的种系突变检测.应用聚合酶链反应-单链构象多态性分析或变性高效液相色谱法筛查突变,对结果异常的样本进行DNA测序.结果 31个汉族家系中共发生136例次恶性肿瘤,其中结直肠癌106例次,占所有肿瘤患者的77.9%,诊断年龄平均为(48.6±29.0)岁;其次为胃癌共14例.经突变检测,31例汉族先证者中有7例被检出含有hMLH1(3个)或hMSH2(4个)基因的病理性突变,总突变率为22.6%.其中错义突变2个、无义突变2个、移码突变2个、大片段缺失1个.63个朝鲜族家系中共发生293例次恶性肿瘤,其巾结直肠癌242例次,占所有肿瘤患者的82.6%,诊断年龄平均为(45.9±11.0)岁;胃癌同样也是第2大常见肿瘤类型,共发生21例.63例朝鲜族先证者中有19例被检测出含有hMLH1(17个)或hMSH2(2个)基因的突变,总突变率为30.2%.其中12个为移码突变,5个为错义突变,1个为无义突变,1个为剪接位点的碱基改变导致异常剪接.结论 (1)汉族与朝鲜族HNPCC家系在临床表现上相似,均有发病年龄轻、以远端结肠癌和直肠癌多见、多原发大肠癌发生率较两方国家低、肠外肿瘤以胃癌最多见等特点.(2)遗传表型方面,汉族与朝鲜族HNPCC家系的总突变率相似,但均低于西方国家的报道.两个种族的家系中的突变基因、突变类型和突变分布上存在差异及各自的特征.     

Microsatellite instability and expression of MLH1 and MSH2 in normal and malignant endometrial and ovarian epithelium in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer family members.

Mismatch repair deficiency is a characteristic molecular finding in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), and has been demonstrated in both colorectal cancers and benign adenomas. Endometrial and ovarian cancers are common extracolonic tumors in this syndrome; however, few studies have investigated whether genetic changes occur in histologically normal endometrial and ovarian epithelia from HNPCC family members. If early genetic changes exist, they might be used as molecular markers to detect susceptibility to endometrial and ovarian cancers. In this study, we analyzed microsatellite instability (MSI) and MLH1 and MSH2 immunohistochemical expression in 20 histologically normal epithelia (12 endometrial and 8 ovarian) and 8 cancers (4 endometrial and 4 ovarian) obtained from 20 individuals representing 7 unrelated HNPCC families. While MSI was observed in endometrial (75%) and ovarian (100%) cancers, no case was determined to exhibit MSI in histologically normal epithelia of the endometrium or ovary. Similarly, in immunohistochemical expressions for MLH1 and MSH2, histologically normal epithelia had no genetic changes predisposing to malignancy. In cancer cases, a correlation existed between the expression of MLH1 and MSH2, the presence of germline mutations in the hMLH1 and hMSH2 genes, and the presence of tumor MSI. These data suggest that MSI and MLH1 and MSH2 expression are not useful biomarkers for the early detection of endometrial and ovarian malignancy in cancer-unaffected HNPCC germline mutation carriers. Further studies of other genetic changes in normal and premalignant precursor lesions are needed.     

遗传性非息肉病性结直肠癌的分子生物学研究

目的：探索遗传性非息肉病性结直肠癌（HNPCC）基因突变规律。方法：用聚合酶链式反应和PCR-SSCP对9例HN-PCC患者及其家系成员4例政审对照的hMSH2、hHLH1基因进行检测。结果：9例来自不同家庭的患者中,7例出现电泳条带异常;4例来自上述家系的无症状成员,其中2例出现电泳条带异常。结论：聚合酶链式反应和PCR-SSCP联合应用,可用于 hMSH2、hMLH1基因突变的检测。     

Seven novel MLH1 and MSH2 germline mutations in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer

Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is the most frequent hereditary form of colorectal cancer and is caused by germline mutations in mismatch repair (MMR) genes. The majority of mutations occur in MLH1 and MSH2. We report hereby seven novel germline mutations in these two genes (five in MLH1 and two in MSH2). All mutations have been found in families fulfilling criteria of the Bethesda guidelines and four of which also fulfilled the Amsterdam criteria. We identified three insertions or deletions of 1 bp leading to premature stop codons (MLH1: c.341delC, c.1413‐1414insA; MSH2: c.1119delG) and three nonsense mutations (MLH1: c.67G>T [E23X], c.436C>T [Q146X]; MSH2: c.1857T>G [Y619X]). The corresponding tumors showed a high level of microsatellite instability (MSI‐H) and a complete loss of expression of the affected protein. In addition, a missense mutation in MLH1 was identified (c.1984A>C [T662P]). The respective tumor also showed a high level of microsatellite instability but a reduced, rather then lost, expression of the MLH1‐protein. This missense mutation was not found in 107 healthy control individuals and in 54 HNPCC patients. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

中国人遗传性非腺瘤病性结直肠癌家系hMSH2和hMLH1基因突变分析

目的 分析符合不同临床标准的中国遗传性非腺瘤病性结直肠癌(HNPCC)家系hMSH2和hMLH1基因种系突变状况,评价不同临床标准预示突变检测的敏感性。方法应用DNA直接测序对24个符合Amsterdam标准、15个符合日本标准家系先证者和19个符合Bethesda指导纲要患者(字系中仅1例患者)进行hMSH2和hMLH1基因种系突变检测。对检出突变的家系进行家庭成员的突变筛选。并对检出突变患者进行肿瘤组织突变的检测。结果在16例家系先证者中检测到6个hMSH2突变和11个hMLHl种系突变,其中12个突变是国际上尚未报道过的新突变。突变位于不同外显子中,其中6个突变位于hMLHl第14-16外显子。Amsterdam标准家系突变阳性率为50％(12／24),以日本标准所筛家系突变阳性率为3／15,以上两组家系以外的Bethesda指导纲要患者突变阳性率为1／19。突变类型包括移码突变、无义突变、剪接异常、框架内插入或缺失以及错义突变。基因突变与疾病共分离,检出突变家系先证者的肿瘤组织错配修复基因表现出3种不同基因型：(1)野生型等位基因丢失;(2)肿瘤组织基因型与生殖细胞一致;(3)突变型等位基因丢失。结论中国人HNPCC家系hMSH2和hMLHl突变谱广泛,突变类型多样,hMLHl突变较hMSH2突变多见,突变较为集中于hMLHl外显子14-16。不同临床标准预示突变的敏感性不同。突变基因型与疾病表现型共分离。家系成员中尚未发病的突变携带者应予密切监测。     

Microsatellite instability in adenomas as a marker for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer

Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is the most common of the well-defined colorectal cancer syndromes, accounting for at least 2% of the total colorectal cancer burden and carrying a greater than 80% lifetime risk of cancer. Significant reduction in cancer morbidity and mortality can be accomplished by appropriate clinical cancer screening of HNPCC patients with mutations in mismatch repair (MMR) genes. Thus, it is desirable to identify individuals who are mutation-positive. In individuals with cancer, mutation detection can be accomplished relatively efficiently by germline mutation analysis of individuals whose cancers show microsatellite instability (MSI). This study was designed to assess the feasibility of screening colorectal adenoma patients for HNPCC in the same manner. Among 378 adenoma patients, six (1.6%) had at least one MSI adenoma. Five out of the six patients (83%) had a germline MMR gene mutation. We conclude that MSI analysis is a useful method of prescreening colorectal adenoma patients for HNPCC.     

Communication,encouragement, and cancer screening in families with and without mutations for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer: A pilot study

PurposeKnown and suspected mutation carriers for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer are advised to have colonoscopies every 1 to 2 years to detect colorectal cancer. Little is known about colonoscopy completion in families suspected of having hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer but without identified mutations.MethodsThis study examined the effect of communication and encouragement on colonoscopy in families with and without known mutations. Twenty-three respondents from 11 families with indeterminate genetic test results were matched with 23 respondents from 11 families with mutation-positive results. Hierarchical modeling examined the effects of relational characteristics on time since last colonoscopy in index cases and their first-degree relatives.ResultsNearly one fifth of respondents were not screening appropriately. Time since last screening did not differ according to family mutation status. However, respondents who communicated about risk and received encouragement to screen from a greater proportion of named family members, and those who had a greater proportion of named family members involved in both communication and encouragement were significantly more likely to have a shorter time interval since last colonoscopy.ConclusionIdentifying patterns of interaction within at-risk families, regardless of gene mutation status, may be one avenue for promoting screening adherence.     

典型遗传性非息肉病性结直肠癌家系临床病理及分子遗传学分析

目的 了解国人遗传性非息肉病性结直肠癌（HNPCC）的临床病理及分子遗传学特征。方法 用微解剖、微卫星不稳定性分析、免疫组织化学及直接DNA测序方法,检测4例HNPCC患者的肿瘤组织微卫星不稳定性状态、错配修复基因hMSH2及hMLH1蛋白水平的表达变化以及生殖细胞突变。结果 4例先证者5个肿瘤组织均表现为高度微卫星不稳定性,3例表现为hMSH2蛋白表达异常,1例表现为hMLH1蛋白表达异常。检测出3个生殖细胞病理性突变。结论 中国人典型HNPCC病例中错配修复基因突变率较高。高度微卫星不稳定性、错配修复基因hMSH2及hMLH1蛋白表达异常与错配修复基因生殖细胞突变密切相关。微卫星不稳定性和错配修复基因蛋白分析可作为DNA测序前的筛选手段。     

Mutation sharing, predominant involvement of the MLH1 gene and description of four novel mutations in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer. Mutations in brief no. 144. Online

Worldwide, the DNA mismatch repair genes MSH2 and MLH1 account for a major share and almost equal proportions of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). Furthermore, the predisposing mutation usually varies from kindred to kindred. In this study, we screen 29 verified or putative HNPCC kindreds from Finland for mutations in these two genes and found 8 different mutations, 7 in MLH1 and 1 in MSH2, occurring in 13 families. Four of these mutations were novel. Altogether, we have to date studied 81 kindreds for mutations and 12 different mutations in 52 families have been identified, 10 in MLH1 and 2 in MSH2. These data show that Finnish HNPCC kindreds are characterized by the predominant involvement of MLH1 (49/52, 94% of the families) and a high rate of shared mutations (5/12, 42%) offering unique possibilities for mutation screening for both research and diagnostic purposes.     

Germline and somatic mutation analysis of MLH3 in MSI-positive colorectal cancer

Microsatellite instability (MSI) is characteristic of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, and occurs in a subset (10 to 15%) of unselected colorectal cancer cases. In hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, MSI is caused by defects in five mismatch repair genes, and in sporadic cases the main cause seems to be somatic MLH1 promoter methylation. Most likely additional hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer genes remain to be discovered. Genes with simple repeats in their coding region are often targets for deletions in MSI-positive tumors. Several genes (TGFbeta RII, IGFIIR, MSH3, MSH6, BAX, MBD4) with significance in tumorigenesis harbor repeats in their coding regions and are often somatically inactivated because of deletions causing frameshifts. Recently, a novel human mismatch repair gene, MLH3, was cloned and shown to be involved in mammalian mismatch repair. To evaluate the possible role of MLH3 in hereditary cancer, we performed germline single-strand conformation polymorphism-analysis for 52 patients displaying features of inherited colorectal cancer. Forty-six of these had been diagnosed with MSI-positive tumors. No germline mutations were found. Similar to MSH3 and MSH6, MLH3 harbors mononucleotide repeats, ie, (A(6))-(A(9)), in its coding region, which makes it a putative target for somatic mutations in MSI-positive tumors. To evaluate its somatic inactivation we performed a deletion search focusing on eight exonic MLH3 mononucleotide repeats in a series of 93 MSI-positive tumors. Somatic deletions were found in 8.6% of the samples, a frequency similar to one detected in neutral noncoding mononucleotide repeats. No evidence of involvement of MLH3 in MSI tumorigenesis was obtained.     

Genetic and epigenetic modification of MLH1 accounts for a major share of microsatellite-unstable colorectal cancers

Microsatellite instability (MSI) is a hallmark of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, and in these patients, results from inherited defects in DNA mismatch repair genes, mostly MSH2 and MLH1. MSI also occurs in 15% of sporadic colorectal cancers, but in these tumors, its basis is less well characterized. We investigated 46 sporadic MSI+ colorectal cancers for changes in MSH2 and MLH1 protein expression, followed by the analysis of somatic mutation, loss of heterozygosity (LOH), and promoter hypermethylation as possible underlying defects. Most cases (36/46, 78%) showed lost or reduced MLH1 expression. Among these, a majority (83%) was associated with MLH1 promoter hypermethylation, whereas the rates of LOH and somatic mutation of MLH1 were 24% and 13%, respectively. Hypermethylation and LOH were inversely correlated, suggesting that they had alternative functions in the inactivation of MLH1. MSH2 expression was lost in 7/46 (15%), and of these, 2 (29%) showed LOH and/or somatic mutation of MSH2. We conclude that most sporadic MSI+ colorectal cancers have an MLH1-associated etiology and that epigenetic modification is a major mechanism of MLH1 inactivation. Moreover, we found a significantly lower prevalence for MLH1 promoter hypermethylation in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer tumors with MLH1 germline mutations (12/26, 46%), which might explain some differences that are known to occur in the clinicopathological characteristics and tumorigenic pathways between sporadic and hereditary MSI+ colorectal cancers.     

Identification of germline MSH2 gene mutations in endometrial cancer not fulfilling the new clinical criteria for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer

Endometrial cancer is the second most common malignancy in patients with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). This cancer is caused by germline mutations in one of the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes. The present study was undertaken to analyze the relation between microsatellite instability (MSI) and germline mutations of MMR genes. We analyzed MSI in 38 cases of endometrial cancer. MSI was present in one or more (out of 5 examined) regions in 11 (29%) cases. Furthermore, alterations in MLH1 and MSH2, two culprit genes representative of HNPCC, were examined in the 11 MSI-positive patients using polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism and sequencing. Germline mutations, namely, 1) a missense mutation at codon 688 (ATG-->ATA, Met-->Ile) and 2) a missense mutation at codon 390 (CTT-->TTT, Leu-->Phe) of the MSH2 gene, were found in 2 of the 11 patients (18%). Although these two cases do not fulfill the new Amsterdam criteria, they had strong family histories of colorectal and endometrial carcinoma. Our results show that genetic testing is important in cases of endometrial cancer with a history suggestive of HNPCC even if the new Amsterdam criteria are not fulfilled.     

Mononucleotide microsatellite instability and germline MSH6 mutation analysis in early onset colorectal cancer.

Germline mutations in the MSH2 and MLH1 mismatch repair genes account for most cases of hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer syndrome (HNPCC). In addition, germline MSH2 and MLH1 mutations have been detected in patients with non-HNPCC early onset colorectal cancer. Germline MSH6 mutations appear to be rare in classical HNPCC families, but their frequency in young colorectal cancer cases has not been studied previously. In a population based study of early onset colorectal cancer (<50 years) investigated for tumour microsatellite instability (MSI), we identified a subgroup of tumours with MSI for mono- but not dinucleotide repeat markers (m-MSI+ group). In contrast to tumours with classical MSI for dinucleotide markers (d-MSI+), the m-MSI+ group cancers were mainly left sided (6/7). As MSH6 mutations in yeast and human cell lines are associated with weak (and preferential mononucleotide) MSI, the complete MSH6 gene coding region was sequenced in blood DNA from the five m-MSI+ cases available for analysis. A germline nonsense mutation was identified in an isolated case of early onset colorectal cancer (age 43 years). These results support previous findings that germline MSH6 mutations may not be associated with classical MSI and suggest a role for germline MSH6 mutations in isolated early onset colorectal cancer.     

RNA-based mutation analysis identifies an unusual MSH6 splicing defect and circumvents PMS2 pseudogene interference

Heterozygous germline mutations in one of the mismatch repair (MMR) genes MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2 cause hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) or Lynch syndrome, a dominantly inherited cancer susceptibility syndrome. Recent reports provide evidence for a novel recessively inherited cancer syndrome with constitutive MMR deficiency due to biallelic germline mutations in one of the MMR genes. MMR-deficiency (MMR-D) syndrome is characterized by childhood brain tumors, hematological and/or gastrointestinal malignancies, and signs of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). We established an RNA-based mutation detection assay for the four MMR genes, since 1) a number of splicing defects may escape detection by the analysis of genomic DNA, and 2) DNA-based mutation detection in the PMS2 gene is severely hampered by the presence of multiple highly similar pseudogenes, including PMS2CL. Using this assay, which is based on direct cDNA sequencing of RT-PCR products, we investigated two families with children suspected to suffer from MMR-D syndrome. We identified a homozygous complex MSH6 splicing alteration in the index patients of the first family and a novel homozygous PMS2 mutation (c.182delA) in the index patient of the second family. Furthermore, we demonstrate, by the analysis of a PMS2/PMS2CL "hybrid" allele carrier, that RNA-based PMS2 testing effectively avoids the caveats of genomic DNA amplification approaches; i.e., pseudogene coamplification as well as allelic dropout, and will, thus, allow more sensitive mutation analysis in MMR deficiency and in HNPCC patients with PMS2 defects.