Germline Von Hippel-Lindau Mutations Research Articles

The von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) germline mutation V84L manifests as early‐onset bilateral pheochromocytoma

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is a heritable tumor susceptibility syndrome caused by germline mutations in the VHL gene. The types of tumor that can occur in affected individuals include retinal and central nervous system hemangioblastoma, renal cell carcinoma, pheochromocytoma, and others. The pattern of tumor types that develops in a VHL-affected family defines the clinical subtype (1, 2A, 2B, 2C). Generally, it is difficult to accurately predict an individual's clinical phenotype based on their VHL mutation. However, in a few specific VHL mutations, a strong genotype-phenotype correlation has been established. We report here on the clinical findings in individuals from three unrelated families with a V84L VHL germline mutation, and present follow-up information regarding the only other reported family with this missense mutation. In each of these four families, the major clinical manifestation of VHL disease is multiple early-onset pheochromocytomas (VHL type 2C). This series of eight patients strengthens the correlation between the V84L mutation and the VHL type 2C phenotype, and improves our ability to provide prognostic and management recommendations for similarly affected individuals.

Effects of VHL Deficiency on Endolymphatic Duct and Sac

The von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is caused by VHL germ line mutation. Inactivation of the wild-type copy of the VHL gene leads to up-regulation of hypoxic response and tumor formation within central nervous system (CNS), kidneys, pancreas, adrenal glands, epididymis, broad ligament, and the endolymphatic sac/petrous bone. Endolymphatic sac tumors (ELST) have been proposed to be derived from endolymphatic sac epithelium, but other possible structures of origin have been implicated. To clarify the anatomic and cellular origin of ELSTs, we did a morphologic and molecular pathologic analysis of 16 tumors. In addition, we investigated effects of VHL deficiency on "tumor-free" endolymphatic duct and sac of VHL patients. Several tumors included in this study were <1 cm in size, and their origin could be placed in the intraosseous portion of the endolymphatic duct/sac. Furthermore, by analysis of clinically uninvolved "tumor-free" endolymphatic duct and sac tissues of VHL patients, we discovered a variety of VHL-deficient microscopic abnormalities with morphologic similarities to ELSTs. We conclude that most, if not all, ELSTs arise within the intraosseous portion of the endolymphatic duct/sac, the vestibular aqueduct. In analogy to renal parenchyma and selected topographical sites within the CNS, endolymphatic duct/sac epithelia are preferentially and multifocally targeted in VHL disease. The primary effect of VHL deficiency on human endolymphatic duct/sac epithelium seems to be the generation of multifocal sites of VHL-deficient cell proliferations from which tumorigenesis may or may not occur. Therefore, inactivation of the VHL wild-type allele seems necessary but not sufficient for the formation of tumor.

Three novel VHL germline mutations in Korean patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease and pheochromocytomas

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is an autosomal dominant inherited tumor syndrome associated with germline mutations in the VHL gene. VHL disease, as well as several other cancer syndromes, has been associated with an increased risk of pheochromocytomas, which are catecholamine-secreting tumors of the adrenal gland. VHL disease genotype-phenotype correlations have been well established based on the type of mutations in the VHL gene. However, although many groups have reported VHL germline mutations in different countries, no previous report has described VHL gene mutations in VHL disease and/or pheochromocytoma patients in Korea. In this study, we used direct sequencing to investigate VHL germline mutations in Korean patients with VHL disease or pheochromocytomas (11 VHL patients and 3 additional members from 7 families, 2 patients from 1 family with familial pheochromocytoma, and 2 cases of isolated pheochromocytoma). We found a total of 7 VHL germline mutations (6 missense and 1 frameshift), 3 of which were novel (323_324delGC, 355T>C and 361G>A). No VHL germline mutation was found in the 2 patients with isolated pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas. This study provides informative data for VHL germline mutations and VHL-related phenotypes in Korea.

Maladie de von Hippel-Lindau : progrès génétiques et cliniques récents

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is a hereditary cancer syndrome that predisposes to the development of a panel of highly vascularized tumors including CNS and retinal hemangioblastomas, endolymphatic sac tumors, clear-cell renal cell carcinomas (RCC), pheochromocytomas and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. CNS hemangioblastomas and RCC are the two main life-threatening manifestations. The disease is caused by germline mutations in the VHL tumor-suppressor gene that plays a major role in regulating the oxygen-sensing pathway by targeting the hypoxia-inducible factor HIF for degradation in proteasome. Somatic inactivation of the VHL gene occurs also in most sporadic RCC and sporadic CNS hemangioblastomas. The demonstration of the critical role of VHL in angiogenesis is paving the way for the development of new specific drugs that could represent an attractive potential treatment for VHL but also for sporadic RCC and other cancers.

Hemangioblastomas of Central Nervous System: Molecular Genetic Analysis and Clinical Management

Hemangioblastomas of the central nervous system (CNS) are benign neoplasms that may occur sporadically or in association with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease. The proportion of primary symptomatic hemangioblastomas associated with VHL disease is estimated to be from 10 to 40%, but it seems to be underestimated. We investigated the frequency of VHL germline mutation in patients with symptomatic CNS hemangioblastoma without evidence of VHL disease to define the role of molecular genetic analysis in the management of such patients and their relatives. We analyzed 14 patients (6 female and 8 male; mean age, 43.5 yr) with no family history and no other clinical manifestations of VHL disease who had been operated on for symptomatic CNS hemangioblastoma. Exons 1, 2, and 3 of the VHL gene and their immediately flanking sequences were amplified by use of polymerase chain reaction followed by analysis with denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography and sequencing the anomalous samples. Germline mutations of the VHL gene were identified in 2 (14%) of 14 patients. VHL gene mutation analysis was performed in both patients' family members, which showed another affected asymptomatic subject for VHL disease. The affected subjects were recommended for VHL disease surveillance protocol. Molecular genetic analysis is a safer and more specific instrument to confirm or exclude VHL disease in patients with CNS hemangioblastoma, a negative family history, or absence of other known manifestations of the disease. Early identification of VHL mutation gene carriers is important for reducing disease morbidity and mortality. Nonsymptomatic family members will benefit from early VHL disease diagnosis or by being excluded as at-risk subjects, reducing the psychological and economic burden of screening and surveillance protocols.

Epigenetic analysis of HIC1, CASP8, FLIP, TSP1, DCR1, DCR2, DR4, DR5, KvDMR1, H19 and preferential 11p15.5 maternal-allele loss in von Hippel-Lindau and sporadic phaeochromocytomas

Phaeochromocytoma is a neural-crest-derived tumour that may be a feature of several familial cancer syndromes including von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2), neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and germline succinate dehydrogenase subunit (SDHB and SDHD) mutations. However the somatic genetic and epigenetic events that occur in phaeochromocytoma tumourigenesis are not well defined. Epigenetic events including de novo promoter methylation of tumour-suppressor genes are frequent in many human neoplasms. As neuroblastoma and phaeochromocytoma are both neural-crest-derived tumours, we postulated that some epigenetic events might be implicated in both tumour types and wished to establish how somatic epigenetic alterations compared in VHL-associated and sporadic phaeochromocytomas. We identified frequent aberrant methylation of HIC1 (82%) and CASP8 (31%) in phaeochromocytoma, but both genes were significantly more methylated in VHL phaeochromocytomas than in sporadic cases. Of four tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) receptors analysed, DR4 was most commonly methylated (41%; compared with DcR2 (26%), DcR1 (23%) and DR5 (10%)). Gene methylation patterns in phaeochromocytoma and neuroblastoma did not differ significantly suggesting overlapping mechanisms of tumourigenesis. We also investigated the role of 11p15.5-imprinted genes in phaeochromocytoma. We found that in 10 sporadic and VHL phaeochromocytomas with 11p15.5 allele loss, the patterns of methylation of 11p15.5-differentially methylated regions were consistent with maternal, rather than, paternal chromosome loss in all cases (P<0.001). This suggests that 11p15.5-imprinted genes may be implicated in the pathogenesis of both familial (germline VHL and SDHD mutations) and sporadic phaeochromocytomas.

Central nervous system manifestations in VHL: genetics, pathology and clinical phenotypic features

This review focuses on CNS hemangioblastomas in von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease. The pathogenesis of these lesions remains unclear to date; however, biallelic inactivation of the VHL tumor suppressor gene is thought to be an important step. These benign tumors occur frequently in patients with VHL disease and produce symptoms by mass effect either by the tumor itself or an accompanying cyst or edema. Furthermore, cases of spontaneous hemorrhage have been described. Genetic testing for VHL germline mutations is recommended in all patients with hemangioblastoma and yearly screening, including MRI of the brain and spine, is recommended for all VHL disease patients. Treatment of these tumors is mainly surgical. In general, surgery is indicated in symptomatic hemangioblastomas and eventually also in asymptomatic tumors that exhibit radiographic progression. However, since most VHL disease patients harbor multiple lesions, a careful individual decision must be made in each case. The tumors can usually be completely removed by dissection in the plane between tumor and CNS tissue and coagulating and cutting of the numerous feeding vessels with low power. As long as consequent yearly surveillance is performed and lesions are adequately treated in time, the prognosis of CNS hemangioblastomas in VHL disease is good. Preoperative neurological deficit, however, will not improve after surgery in most patients. Local tumor recurrences are rare.

The von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Protein: Roles in Cancer and Oxygen Sensing

Biallelic inactivation of the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor gene is a common event in hereditary (von Hippel- Lindau disease) and sporadic hemangioblastomas and clear-cell renal carcinomas. Germ-line VHL mutations are also linked to some hereditary pheochromocytoma families. The VHL gene product, pVHL, interacts with a number of cellular proteins and is implicated in the control of angiogenesis, extracellular matrix formation, cell metabolism, and mitogenesis. The best understood function of pVHL relates to its role as the substrate recognition unit of an E3 ligase that targets the heterodimeric transcription factor HIF (hypoxia-inducible factor) for destruction in the presence of oxygen. Down-regulation of HIF appears to be both necessary and sufficient for renal tumor suppression by pVHL, and HIF is strongly suspected of contributing to hemangioblastoma development as well. Recent work suggests that pVHL's role in pheochromocytoma is not related to HIF but rather to the ability of pVHL to regulate neuronal apoptosis, which is mediated by c-Jun, when growth factors such as NGF become limiting. Loss of pVHL leads to up-regulation of JunB, which antagonizes c-Jun and blunts apoptosis.

Somatic mutations in VHL germline deletion kindred correlate with mild phenotype.

Generally, von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is caused by a germline mutation of the VHL gene (chromosome 3p), and tumorigenesis is initiated from a "second-hit" deletion. A subset of VHL patients have a germline deletion of the VHL gene, and the molecular events leading to tumorigenesis are not fully understood. To determine the molecular pathogenesis of tumor formation in this setting, we analyzed five central nervous system hemangioblastomas from three patients of a single VHL germline deletion kindred, all displaying mild clinical phenotype. Rather than loss of heterozygosity (the "second hit" in VHL germline mutation patients), all tumors from this kindred showed "second-hit" point mutations on the wild-type allele. Moreover, in two patients who each had two hemangioblastomas resected each tumor contained a unique mutation. The specific germline deletion and the overall genetic makeup of the patient did not predict these random "second-hit" point mutations. These results suggest that in patients with germline deletion of a tumor suppressor gene there is a unique genetic mechanism underlying tumorigenesis. This unique genetic mechanism correlates with and may help to understand the mild clinical phenotype seen in these patients.

Mutations of von Hippel-Lindau Tumor-Suppressor Gene and Congenital Polycythemia

The von Hippel-Lindau (pVHL) protein plays an important role in hypoxia sensing. It binds to the hydroxylated hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) and serves as a recognition component of an E3-ubiquitin ligase complex. In hypoxia or secondary to a mutated VHL gene, the nondegraded HIF-1 alpha forms a heterodimer with HIF-beta and leads to increased transcription of hypoxia-inducible genes, including erythropoietin (EPO). The autosomal dominant cancer-predisposition von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome is due to inheritance of a single mutated allele of VHL. In contrast, we recently showed that homozygous germline 598C-->T VHL mutation leads to Chuvash polycythemia (CP). We subsequently found VHL mutations in three unrelated individuals unaffected with CP, one of whom was compound heterozygous for the 598C-->T mutation and another VHL mutation. We now report seven additional polycythemic patients with VHL mutations in both alleles. Two Danish siblings and another American boy were homozygous for the VHL 598C-->T mutation. Three unrelated white Americans were compound heterozygotes for 598C-->T and another VHL mutation, 562C-->G in two and 574C-->T in the third. Additionally, a Croatian boy was homozygous for a 571C-->G VHL mutation, the first example of homozygous VHL germline mutation causing polycythemia, other than the VHL 598C-->T mutation. We have not observed VHL syndrome-associated tumors in polycythemic subjects or their heterozygous relatives; however, this will need to be evaluated by longitudinal studies. Over all, we found that up to half of the consecutive patients with apparent congenital polycythemia and increased serum Epo we have examined have mutations of both VHL alleles. Those findings, along with reports of CP, underscore that VHL mutations are the most frequent cause of congenital polycythemia and define a new class of polycythemic disorder, polycythemias due to augmented hypoxia sensing.

Mutations in the VHL gene in sporadic apparently congenital polycythemia

The congenital polycythemic disorders with elevated erythropoietin (Epo) have been until recently an enigma, and abnormality in the hypoxia-sensing pathway has been hypothesized as a possible mechanism. The tumor suppressor von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) participates in the hypoxia-sensing pathway, as it binds to the proline-hydroxylated form of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha) and mediates its ubiquitination and proteosomal degradation. The loss of VHL function may result in the accumulation of HIF-1alpha and overproduction of HIF-1 downstream target genes including Epo. VHL syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder predisposing to the development of tumors, due to inherited mutations in the VHL gene. Some rare patients with VHL syndrome have polycythemia, which has been attributed to Epo production by a tumor. It was recently found that homozygosity for the VHL Arg200Trp mutation is the cause of Chuvash polycythemia, an autosomal recessive polycythemic disorder characterized by elevated serum Epo and hypersensitivity of erythroid cells to Epo. We evaluated the role of VHL in 8 children with a history of polycythemia and an elevated serum Epo level and found 3 different germline VHL mutations in 4 of them. One child was homozygous for the Arg200Trp VHL mutation, and another compound heterozygous for the Arg200Trp and the Val130Leu mutations. Two children (siblings) were heterozygous for an Asp126Tyr mutation, one of them fulfilling some criteria of VHL syndrome. We propose that mutations of the VHL gene represent an important cause of pediatric sporadic polycythemias with an inappropriately high serum Epo concentration.

New Insights into the Genetics of Familial Chromaffin Cell Tumors

We review genetic aspects and recent advances in our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of familial chromaffin cell tumors (pheochromocytoma, paraganglioma). About 10 percent of pheochromocytomas are familial and occur as part of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2), von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease, and neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF 1). A subset of paragangliomas, tumors that can also produce and secrete catecholamines, are also familial and occur in patients with germline mutations in genes that encode subunits of the mitochondrial complex II. The precise molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of chromaffin cell tumors remain widely unknown, although recent studies in hereditary tumors help elucidate their development. In MEN 2, overrepresentation of mutant RET in selected adrenomedullary cells may be an important mechanism in initiating the formation of a pheochromocytoma. In VHL disease, pheochromocytoma development appears to occur according to Knudson's two-hit model, a VHL germline mutation and wildtype allelic deletion. Tumorigenesis of NF1-associated pheochromocytomas remains unknown, as does tumor formation (i.e., carotid body tumor) in patients with germline mutations in SDHB, SDHC, and SDHD, genes that encode subunits of the mitochondrial complex II, the smallest complex in the respiratory chain. Many genetic alterations have been found in sporadic chromaffin cell tumors. However, at present such genetic changes are difficult to place into context with regard to tumor formation and progression.

Somatic point mutation of the wild-type allele detected in tumors of patients with VHL germline deletion.

The majority of patients with Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease are affected by a VHL germline mutation involving one copy of the VHL gene. Loss of heterozygosity of the second VHL allele can be consistently demonstrated in tumor tissue from these patients, suggesting that allelic deletion is a very early or even initiating event for tumorigenesis. Approximately 20% of VHL disease patients, however, exhibit germline deletion of one entire copy or at least a substantial part of the VHL gene. To investigate the nature of the "second genetic hit" in this patient population, we analysed two renal cell carcinomas and one CNS hemangioblastoma from three unrelated patients for genetic changes of the second copy of the VHL gene. All three tumors showed retention of one VHL allele by FISH. Single-strand conformation polymorphism and mutation analysis of microdissected tumor DNA revealed somatic point mutations of the wild-type VHL copies in each of the three tumors. The results indicate that the "two hit model" is equally applicable to patients with VHL germline mutation and VHL germline deletion. In contrast to tumors from patients with VHL germline mutation, however, point mutations of the wild-type allele can be detected in tumors from patients with VHL germline deletion.

Cryptic von Hippel-Lindau disease: germline mutations in patients with haemangioblastoma only

OBJECTIVESCentral nervous system haemangioblastoma (HAB) is a major feature of von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease, and it is estimated that about 30% of HAB patients have VHL disease. Consequently, it is...

CLINICAL AND GENETIC CHARACTERIZATION OF PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA IN VON HIPPEL-LINDAU FAMILIES: COMPARISON WITH SPORADIC PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA GIVES INSIGHT INTO NATURAL HISTORY OF PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA

Purpose Families with von Hippel-Lindau disease have variable risk of pheochromocytoma. Patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease and pheochromocytoma identified by screening can have no characteristic signs or symptoms. Families with von Hippel-Lindau disease were screened and followed to describe the natural history of von Hippel-Lindau pheochromocytoma, and to correlate these findings with von Hippel-Lindau germline mutation. Materials and Methods Between 1988 and 1997, 246 individuals with von Hippel-Lindau disease were identified (von Hippel-Lindau group). Between August 1990 and June 1997, 26 consecutive patients with sporadic pheochromocytoma were evaluated (sporadic group). Results A total of 64 patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease had manifestations of pheochromocytoma, including 33 newly diagnosed during screening at the National Institutes of Health and 31 previously treated (93 adrenal and 13 extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas). Germline von Hippel-Lindau gene missense mutation was associated with extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma, younger age at presentation and the only patient with metastases. Of the 33 newly diagnosed patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease 4 had pheochromocytoma 2 times (37 pheochromocytomas) during followup. Of these pheochromocytomas 35% (13 of 37) were associated with no symptoms, normal blood pressure and normal catecholamine testing. Comparison of urinary catecholamines in the von Hippel-Lindau and sporadic groups demonstrated increased epinephrine, metanephrines and vanillylmandelic acid in the sporadic group. Analysis of urinary catecholamine excretion in the von Hippel-Lindau and sporadic groups together demonstrated a correlation between tumor size, and urinary metanephrines, vanillylmandelic acid, norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine. In 12 patients without signs or symptoms of pheochromocytoma 17 newly diagnosed pheochromocytomas were followed for a median of 34.5 months without morbidity. Median tumor doubling time was 17 months. Conclusions Von Hippel-Lindau gene missense mutation correlated with the risk of pheochromocytoma in patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease. These findings support a von Hippel-Lindau disease clinical classification, wherein some families are at high risk for manifestations of pheochromocytoma. Von Hippel-Lindau disease pheochromocytomas identified by screening were smaller and less functional than sporadic pheochromocytomas.

Clinical characteristics of ocular angiomatosis in von Hippel-Lindau disease and correlation with germline mutation.

To examine the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of the ocular manifestations of von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease and to detect phenotype-genotype relationships of disease severity. A cross-sectional clinical and molecular genetic study. One hundred eighty-three affected VHL gene carriers from 81 unrelated pedigrees were interviewed and examined; clinical data were also obtained from 12 living and 39 deceased affected relatives. DNA extracted from venous blood was used to identify mutations in the VHL gene. The prevalence of ocular angiomatosis (hemangioblastomas) in von Hippel-Lindau disease was 67.8% (124/183), and the mean number of angiomas in gene carriers was 1.85 (range, 0-15). Neither prevalence nor angioma count increased with age. Severe vision loss in 1 or both eyes was associated with presentation at a young age. The cumulative probability of incurring vision loss by age 50 years was 35% in all gene carriers, 55% in those with angiomatosis, and significantly worse in those coming to us with symptoms. Angiomas were nonrandomly distributed in the fundus, occurring rarely at the posterior pole (1% of retinal tumors) and commonly on the optic disc (8% of eyes) and supratemporal retina. Complications of ocular angiomatosis included disc and retinal neovascularization; secondary angioma formation; retinal detachment, exudation, and membrane; and retinal and vitreous hemorrhage. Germ-line VHL mutations were detected in 161 of 183 patients and 69 (85%) of 81 pedigrees and included deletions (n= 16), missense (mutations causing amino acid substitutions; n = 24), nonsense (premature stop codons; n = 15), frameshift (n = 13), and splice-site (n = 1) mutations. There was no association between the type or position of mutation and the severity of ocular angiomatosis. A systematic clinical description of a large cohort of VHL gene carriers further defines the ocular phenotype. There is no general influence of germline mutation on severity of ocular disease in VHL. The ophthalmic and molecular genetic description of patients with VHL disease.

A clinical and molecular genetic analysis of solitary ocular angioma

ObjectivesTo determine whether ocular angioma can occur in the absence of von Hippel Lindau (VHL) syndrome, to define the clinical characteristics of sporadic (non-VHL) angioma, and to estimate a prevalence for sporadic ocular angioma. Design and participantsA cross-sectional study of a cohort of patients with apparent sporadic ocular angiomatosis recruited from throughout the United Kingdom. InterventionClinical details and a family history were obtained for the patients in the cohort. Systematic ocular examination and further systemic screening were performed on the patients and relatives when possible. Leukocyte DNA was examined for VHL germline mutations. Main outcome measuresPatients with solitary and typical VHL-like ocular angioma, without clinical and family histories for VHL, were selected as possible sporadic (non-VHL) ocular angioma cases. An estimate of the population prevalence of sporadic (non-VHL) ocular angioma was made from patients presenting in the East Anglian region of the United Kingdom over a 25-year period. ResultsFrom 32 patients referred, 17 had typical solitary ocular angioma and no evidence of other VHL complications in themselves or in family members. All 17 patients were negative for germline VHL mutations. The mean age of presentation was 30.9 years (median, 27.5; range, 3–52); 11 of 17 eyes suffered visual loss and 4 of 17 tumors occurred on the optic disc. The estimated prevalence of non-VHL ocular angioma was 9.0 × 10−6, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.3 − 19 × 10−6 (1 in 110,000 persons, 95% CI = 1 in 53,000–300,000). ConclusionsSporadic ocular angioma can occur in the absence of VHL disease but appears less prevalently than VHL itself. The age of presentation, degree of visual morbidity, complications, morphology, and anatomic location of tumors are similar to those seen in VHL disease.

Molecular genetic analysis of von Hippel-Lindau disease.

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is a dominantly inherited multisystem family cancer syndrome predisposing to retinal and central nervous system haemangioblastomas, renal carcinoma, phaeochromocytoma, pancreatic islet cell tumours and endolymphatic sac tumours. In addition, renal, pancreatic and epididymal cysts occur. Morbidity and mortality from VHL disease can be reduced by the identification and surveillance of affected individuals and at-risk relatives so that complications are diagnosed at an early presymptomatic stage. The detailed mapping and subsequent isolation of the VHL tumour suppressor gene has enabled molecular genetic analysis in families and patients with definite or possible VHL disease. Initially, linked DNA markers were used in informative families to modify individual risks and then to make appropriate alterations in surveillance programs. However, currently most DNA analysis involves the characterisation of germline mutations. World-wide, mutations have been identified in almost 500 families (including 132 in our laboratory). These studies have revealed considerable heterogeneity both in the type and in the location of mutations within the VHL gene. In our experience, most recurrent mutations result from de novo mutations at hypermutable sequences, although a founder effect for the Tyr98His ('Black Forest') mutation has been reported in German and American families. Although many mutations are predicted to impair the ability of pVHL to combine with the elongin regulatory subunits, analysis of genotype-phenotype relationships suggests that the VHL protein has multiple and tissue specific functions. Calculation of tumour risks for different classes of VHL mutations has provided important prognostic information especially with respect to the likelihood of phaeochromocytoma. However, there is evidence that retinal involvement does not correlate with allelic heterogeneity, but that the variability in retinal angiomatosis is influenced by modifier gene effects. VHL gene mutation analysis also provides a basis for investigating the genetic basis of familial phaeochromocytoma and renal cell carcinoma, and apparently isolated retinal angiomas. Results to date suggest that a substantial proportion of patients with familial pheochromocytoma have VHL gene mutations but in contrast, most familial clusters of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) without evidence of VHL do not have germline VHL mutations.

Sporadic phaeochromocytomas are rarely associated with germline mutations in the von Hippel-Lindau and RET genes.

von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) are autosomal dominant cancer syndromes. In both conditions, phaeochromocytoma is a prominent feature. It has recently been suggested that phaeochromocytoma can be the presenting and sole clinical manifestation of these multi-organ syndromes. The aim of this study was to ascertain the incidence of VHL and MEN2 among patients with sporadic phaeochromocytoma by mutational analysis. Twenty-seven unrelated patients with biochemically and/or anatomically proven sporadic phaeochromocytoma were evaluated. Constitutional DNA obtained from the patients was analysed by single stranded conformational analysis (SSCP) for mutations within the VHL gene coding sequence and by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) for predominant mutations in exons 10, 11 and 16 of the RET proto-oncogene. The incidence of patients positive for either VHL or RET germline mutations was assessed. Twenty-six of 27 patients had normal SSCP patterns in all three VHL gene exon segments and only one patient, with an atypical clinical presentation, had an aberrant pattern in exon 3 which upon DNA sequencing was shown to harbor a G to A transversion mutation at nucleotide 695. All patients had normal RET exon 10, 11 and 16 DGGE migration patterns. Most, if not all, patients with typical unilateral sporadic phaeochromocytoma do not have von Hippel-Lindau disease or MEN2. Thus, clinical and/or molecular investigation for von Hippel-Lindau disease and MEN2 in this patient population does not appear to be indicated.

Genetic predisposition to phaeochromocytoma: analysis of candidate genes GDNF, RET and VHL.

Inherited predisposition to phaeochromocytoma (MIM No 171300) occurs in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2) (MIM No 171400), von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease (MIM No 199300), and neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) (MIM No 162200). In addition, familial phaeochromocytoma alone has also been reported and we and others have identified germline VHL mutations in five of six kindreds analysed previously. Germline mutations in the RET proto-oncogene, which encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase, and in the VHL tumour suppressor gene cause MEN 2 and VHL disease, respectively. To further investigate the genetics of phaeochromocytoma predisposition, we analysed three groups of patients with no evidence of VHL disease, MEN 2 or NF1: Group A, eight kindreds with familial phaeochromocytoma; Group B, two patients with isolated bilateral phaeochromocytoma; and Group C, six cases of multiple extra-adrenal phaeochromocytoma or adrenal phaeochromocytoma with a family history of neuroectodermal tumours. Germline missense VHL mutations were identified in three of eight kindreds with familial phaeochromocytoma. A germline VHL mutation was also characterised in one of the two patients with bilateral phaeochromocytoma. No VHL or RET mutations were detected in the final group of patients with multiple extra-adrenal phaeochromocytoma or adrenal phaeochromocytoma with a family history of neuroectodermal tumours. The absence of germline VHL and RET gene mutations in many of these families suggested that other phaeochromoeytoma susceptibility loci may exist. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has been recently identified as a natural ligand for RET. Thus, it seems plausible that GDNF is a good candidate gene to play a role in phaeochromocytoma susceptibility. We searched for germline mutations in GDNF in 16 cases of familial phaeochromocytoma (groups A, B and C) and looked for evidence of somatic change in GDNF in 28 sporadic phaeochromocytomas, 12 MEN 2 phaeochromocytomas and five VHL phaeochromocytomas. No GDNF mutations were identified in patients with familial phaeochromocytoma disease, but a c277C-->T (R93W) sequence variant was identified in one of 28 sporadic tumours. This candidate mutation was identified in the germline and tumour tissue but was not present in 104 control GDNF alleles. GDNF sequence variants including R93W have been suggested previously to represent low penetrance susceptibility mutations for Hirschsprung disease and the R93W was not identified in 376 control alleles studied by others. These findings suggest that although GDNF mutations do not appear to have a major role in the pathogenesis of familial or sporadic phaeochromocytomas, allelic variation at the GDNF locus may modify phaeochromocytoma susceptibility.