AFFECTED MEMBERS OF MELANOMA-PRONE FAMILIES WITH LINKAGE TO 9P21 BUT LACKING MUTATIONS IN CDKN2A DO NOT HARBOR MUTATIONS IN THE CODING REGIONS OF EITHER CDKN2B OR P19(ARF)

Mutations in the gene encoding the cell cycle inhibitor CDKN2A have be en identified in some melanoma kindreds linked to 9p21. However, many such families show no evidence of mutations in the coding regions of C DKN2A. In this study, we examined whether two other potential tumor su ppressors, CDKN2B and p19(ARF), which also map within the 9p21 region, play a role in the development of familial melanoma. We found no muta tions in the coding regions of either gene in melanoma-prone families with evidence of linkage to 9p21. We conclude either that another mela noma susceptibility gene exists within this chromosomal area or that m utations in noncoding regions of CDKN2A, CDKN2B, or p19(ARF) predispos e to melanoma. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.