A de novo FLCN mutation in a patient with spontaneous pneumothorax and renal cancer; a clinical and molecular evaluation

Fred H. Menko*, Paul C. Johannesma, R. Jeroen A. van Moorselaar, Rinze Reinhard, Jan Hein van Waesberghe, Erik Thunnissen, Arjan C. Houweling, Edward M. Leter, Quinten Waisfisz, Martijn B. van Doorn, Theo M. Starink, Pieter E. Postmus, Barry J. Coull, Maurice A. M. van Steensel, Johan J. P. Gille

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Birt-Hogg-Dub, syndrome (BHD) is an autosomal dominant condition due to germline FLCN (folliculin) mutations, characterized by skin fibrofolliculomas, lung cysts, pneumothorax and renal cancer. We identified a de novo FLCN mutation, c.499C > T (p.Gln167X), in a patient who presented with spontaneous pneumothorax. Subsequently, typical skin features and asymptomatic renal cancer were diagnosed. Probably, de novo FLCN mutations are rare. However, they may be under-diagnosed if BHD is not considered in sporadic patients who present with one or more of the syndromic features. Genetic and immunohistochemical analysis of the renal tumour indicated features compatible with a tumour suppressor role of FLCN. The finding that mutant FLCN was expressed in the tumour might indicate residual functionality of mutant FLCN, a notion which will be explored in future studies.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)373-379
JournalFamilial Cancer
Volume12
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2013

Keywords

  • Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome
  • Folliculin
  • de novo mutation
  • Pneumothorax
  • Renal cancer

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