Clinical and functional significance of TP53 exon 4–intron 4 splice junction variants Journal Article


Authors: Pinto, E. M.; Maxwell, K. N.; Halalsheh, H.; Phillips, A.; Powers, J.; MacFarland, S.; Walsh, M. F.; Breen, K.; Formiga, M. N.; Kriwacki, R.; Nichols, K. E.; Mostafavi, R.; Wang, J.; Clay, M. R.; Rodriguez-Galindo, C.; Ribeiro, R. C.; Zambetti, G. P.
Article Title: Clinical and functional significance of TP53 exon 4–intron 4 splice junction variants
Abstract: Germline TP53 splicing variants are uncommon, and their clinical relevance is unknown. However, splice-altering variants at exon 4–intron 4 junctions are relatively enriched in pediatric adrenocortical tumors (ACT). Nevertheless, family histories of cancer compatible with classic Li-Fraumeni syndrome are rarely seen in these patients. We used conventional and in silico assays to determine protein stability, splicing, and transcriptional activity of 10 TP53 variants at exon 4–intron 4 junctions and analyzed their clinical correlates. We reviewed public databases that report the impact of TP53 variants in human cancer and examined individual reports, focusing on family history of cancer. TP53 exon 4–intron 4 junction germline variants were identified in 9 of 75 pediatric ACTs enrolled in the International Pediatric Adrenocortical Tumor Registry and Children’s Oncology Group ARAR0332 study. An additional eight independent TP53 variants involving exon 4 splicing were identified in the Pediatric Cancer Genome Project (n = 5,213). These variants resulted in improper expression due to ineffective splicing, protein instability, altered subcellular localization, and loss of function. Clinical case review of carriers of TP53 exon 4–intron 4 junction variants revealed a high incidence of pediatric ACTs and atypical tumor types not consistent with classic Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Germline variants involving TP53 exon 4–intron 4 junctions are frequent in ACT and rare in other pediatric tumors. The collective impact of these germline TP53 variants on the fidelity of splicing, protein structure, and function must be considered in evaluating cancer susceptibility. © 2021 American Association for Cancer Research.
Journal Title: Molecular Cancer Research
Volume: 20
Issue: 2
ISSN: 1541-7786
Publisher: American Association for Cancer Research  
Date Published: 2022-02-01
Start Page: 207
End Page: 216
Language: English
DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.Mcr-21-0583
PUBMED: 34675114
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC8816887
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 1 March 2022 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Michael Francis Walsh
    156 Walsh
  2. Kelsey E Breen
    18 Breen