A Rare TP53 Mutation Predominant in Ashkenazi Jews Confers Risk of Multiple Cancers

Abstract

Germline mutations in TP53 cause a rare high penetrance cancer syndrome, Li Fraumeni Syndrome (LFS). Here we identified a rare TP53 tetramerization domain missense mutation, c.1000G>C;p.G334R, in a family with multiple late-onset LFS-spectrum cancers. Twenty additional c.1000G>C probands and one c.1000G>A proband were identified, and available tumors showed biallelic somatic inactivation of TP53. The majority of families were of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, and the TP53 c.1000G>C allele was found on a commonly inherited Chromosome 17p13.1 haplotype. Transient transfection of the p.G334R allele conferred a mild defect in colony suppression assays. Lymphoblastoid cell lines from the index family in comparison to TP53 normal lines showed that while classical p53 target gene activation was maintained, a subset of p53 target genes (including PCLO, PLTP, PLXNB3 and LCN15) showed defective transactivation when treated with Nutlin-3a. Structural analysis demonstrated thermal instability of the G334R mutant tetramer, and the G334R mutant protein showed increased preponderance of mutant conformation. Clinical case review in comparison to classic LFS cohorts demonstrated similar rates of pediatric adrenocortical tumors and other LFS component cancers, but the latter at significantly later ages of onset. Our data show that TP53 c.1000G>C;p.G334R is found predominantly in Ashkenazi Jewish individuals, causes a mild defect in p53 function, and leads to low penetrance Li Fraumeni Syndrome.