VARIANTS AT THE SECRETORY PHOSPHOLIPASE-A2 (PLA2G2A) LOCUS - ANALYSISOF ASSOCIATIONS WITH FAMILIAL ADENOMATOUS POLYPOSIS AND SPORADIC COLORECTAL TUMORS
Ipm. Tomlinson et al., VARIANTS AT THE SECRETORY PHOSPHOLIPASE-A2 (PLA2G2A) LOCUS - ANALYSISOF ASSOCIATIONS WITH FAMILIAL ADENOMATOUS POLYPOSIS AND SPORADIC COLORECTAL TUMORS, Annals of Human Genetics, 60, 1996, pp. 369-376
The Min mouse is a model for human familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP
), an autosomal dominant disease characterised by multiple adenomatous
gastrointestinal polyps. The severity of the Min phenotype is modifie
d by a locus (Mom1) on mouse chromosome 4, at a position syntenic with
human chromosome 1p35-p36. The secretory phospholipase A2 (Pla2s) gen
e is a candidate for this modifier locus and there is evidence that a
locus on human chromosome 1p35-p36 acts to modify the severity of huma
n duodenal FAP. We have analysed the human secretory phospholipase A2
locus (PLA2G2A) for variants that could directly influence the FAP phe
notype. We found no PLA2G2A variants predicted to result in functional
variation in the phospholipase A2 protein. Two PLA2G2A polymorphisms
were, however, discovered, one a 'silent' base change in exon 3 and an
other in a non-coding region. Three other variants (possible mutations
) were found in non-coding regions. In 70 FAP patients from 20 familie
s, no associations were found between the severity of duodenal polypos
is and any PLA2G2A variant. One allele at the exon 3 polymorphic site
did, however, occur more often then expected in patients with relative
ly severe colonic FAP. Although of borderline statistical significance
, this association, if genuine, is likely to result from linkage diseq
uilibrium between the PLA2G2A alleles studied and undetected genetic v
ariation at a closely linked locus. The frequency of the alleles at bo
th polymorphic sites has also been determined in the germ line of pati
ents with sporadic colorectal adenomas and carcinomas and in random co
ntrols, but no differences were found among these groups. Our results
suggest that PLA2G2A variants do not influence inherited or sporadic c
olonic tumours. A linked locus may be a modifier of human FAP, but doe
s not influence the risk of colorectal tumours in the general populati
on.