Frequency of mitoses with premature centromere division (PCD) was examined
in lymphocytes from subjects nifh multiple endocrine neoplasia type I (MEN
I). An increase in PCD after exposure to an alkylating agent was observed i
n subjects with MEN 1 who carry a heterozygous MEN1 gene mutation but not i
n normal controls or in affected subjects without the MEN1 gene mutation. T
hese findings support the inclusion of MEN1 as a chromosome instability syn
drome and recognition of PCD as a manifestation of chromosome instability F
urthermore, these results suggest that the MEN1 gene product may function t
o maintain the integrity of DNA. (C) Elsevier Science Inc., 1999. All right
s reserved.