The general objective of this project is to gain expertise in molecular genetics and acquire the laboratory skills necessary for applying genetic strategies to the understanding, diagnosis and possible treatment of endocrine tumors. Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2(MEN 2), a rare cancer syndrome genetically transmitted in an autosomal dominant pattern with age-dependent biochemical and clinical penetrance, is characterized by the concurrence of medullary thyroid carcinoma as the index lesion with variable expression of multiple neural crest abnormalities. The MEN 2 predisposition locus has been assigned to the pericentromeric region of chromosome 10 by linkage analysis (1,2,3) with evidence favoring genetic homogeneity in reported kindreds (4). Development of existing markers has been achieved primarily using the traditional and less informative method of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Moreover, the gene altered in the MEN 2 syndrome has not been identified or its product characterized. The objectives of this study are fourfold: 1) to generate additional markers in the pericentromeric region of chromosome 10 using microsatellite polymorphisms, a more efficient and informative approach than RFLP analysis; 2) to confirm co- inheritance of the DNA markers identified to the MEN 2 gene and test their value in early diagnosis; 3) to generate an abundance of sequence- tagged sites (STSs) from the subregion encompassing the MEN 2 locus for further isolation of yeast artificial chromosomes (YAC) clones; and 4) to refine the genomic structure of the pericentromeric area of chromosome 10 by contig assembly with YAC clones. Accomplishment of these aims will be possible by the educational and laboratory resources made available to me through the Human Genome Center at the University of Michigan under the sponsorship of Dr. Francis Collins.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Clinical Investigator Award (CIA) (K08)
Project #
5K08DK002176-03
Application #
2133957
Study Section
Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases B Subcommittee (DDK)
Project Start
1993-01-01
Project End
1995-12-31
Budget Start
1995-01-01
Budget End
1995-12-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1995
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Department
Surgery
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
791277940
City
Ann Arbor
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48109
Decker, R A; Peacock, M L (1998) Occurrence of MEN 2a in familial Hirschsprung's disease: a new indication for genetic testing of the RET proto-oncogene. J Pediatr Surg 33:207-14
Decker, R A; Peacock, M L; Watson, P (1998) Hirschsprung disease in MEN 2A: increased spectrum of RET exon 10 genotypes and strong genotype-phenotype correlation. Hum Mol Genet 7:129-34
Liu, X; Vega, Q C; Decker, R A et al. (1996) Oncogenic RET receptors display different autophosphorylation sites and substrate binding specificities. J Biol Chem 271:5309-12
Peacock, M L; Borst, M J; Sweet, J D et al. (1996) Detection of RET mutations in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2a and familial medullary thyroid carcinoma by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. Hum Mutat 7:100-4
Decker, R A; Geiger, J D; Cox, C E et al. (1996) Prophylactic surgery for multiple endocrine neoplasia type IIa after genetic diagnosis: is parathyroid transplantation indicated? World J Surg 20:814-20;discussion 820-1
Decker, R A; Peacock, M L; Borst, M J et al. (1995) Progress in genetic screening of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A: is calcitonin testing obsolete? Surgery 118:257-63;discussion 263-4
Borst, M J; VanCamp, J M; Peacock, M L et al. (1995) Mutational analysis of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A associated with Hirschsprung's disease. Surgery 117:386-91
Sandelin, K; Larsson, C; Decker, R A (1994) Genetic aspects of multiple endocrine neoplasia types 1 and 2. Curr Opin Gen Surg :60-8
Decker, R A; Collins, F S (1993) Dinucleotide repeat polymorphism at the D10S469 locus. Hum Mol Genet 2:1330