A novel menin gene deletional mutation in a little series of Italian patients affected by apparently sporadic multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome

AIM: To perform a genetic screening for the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) gene mutations in patients affected by an apparently sporadic form of the disease, referred to an internal medicine unit of a large general hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In a group of 12 consecutive patients presenting clinical features of MEN type 1 syndrome, we performed a genetic screening for germline MEN1 gene mutations, including complete sequencing of the coding region (exons 2 to 10) and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification analysis for large deletion detection. RESULTS: Among these patients affected by apparently sporadic MEN type 1 syndrome, a targeted clinical history could detect indirect support for a diagnosis of familial condition only in 2 cases. The genetic screening identified pathogenic germline MEN1 gene mutations in 3 patients (25%). A previously unknown 18 base-pair deletion within exon 3, c.564_581delCAATGGGGAGCAGACAGC, resulting in loss of 6 amino acids (pAsp189_Ala194del), was found in heterozygosis in a woman affected by primary hyperparathyroidism and multifocal pancreatic neoplasia. CONCLUSIONS: Our results underscore the importance of performing genetic testing also in apparently sporadic MEN1 patients and extend the list of molecular variants leading to inactivation of the MEN1 gene.