ABSENCE OF GERMLINE PROHIBITIN MUTATIONS IN EARLY-ONSET BREAST-CANCER

The prohibitin gene, mapped to chromosome 17q21 is a candidate tumor s uppressor gene. Because several somatic mutations of prohibitin were d etected in breast tumors, we sought to identify potential carriers of prohibitin gene mutations in selected patients with early onset breast cancer. Seventy-six patients who developed breast cancer at or before the age of 40 were examined for mutations of prohibitin within the mo st conserved regions of the gene. Additionally, all exons of the prohi bitin gene were examined in a subgroup of patients with a history of f irst-degree relatives with primary breast cancer. While several polymo rphisms were noted, no inherited mutations of prohibitin were identifi ed. This study suggests that prohibitin is not an early onset breast c ancer susceptibility gene and additional studies will be necessary to understand its role in sporadic breast cancer progression.