ALLELE LOSS OF TUMOR-SUPPRESSOR GENES ON CHROMOSOME-17 IN HUMAN TESTICULAR GERM-CELL TUMORS

The molecular genetics of testicular germ cell tumours (TGCT) are stil l largely unknown. We investigated 20 TGCT tumours for allelic losses (LOH) of tumour supressor genes BRCA1, TP53 and of THRA1 on chromosome 17. We observed an overall loss of 50% for the whole chromosome. Deta iled deletion mapping revealed no losses for the BRCA1 gene, 42% LOH f or THRA1 and 11% allelic loss for the region telomeric to BRCA1. We ob served 11% LOH for TP53. Our results suggest that allelic losses of BR CA1 and TP53 genes do not play a pivotal role in TGCT but that dysfunc tion of THRA1 or tumour suppressor gene(s) in this region may have an impact in the development of this cancer.