Mutations in exon 1 highlight the role of MED12 in uterine leiomyomas

Kati Kämpjärvi, Min Ju Park, Miika Mehine, Nam Hee Kim, Alison D. Clark, Ralf Bützow, Tom Böhling, Jan Böhm, Jukka Pekka Mecklin, Heikki Järvinen, Ian P.M. Tomlinson, Zephne M. van der Spuy, Jari Sjöberg, Thomas G. Boyer, Pia Vahteristo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

66 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mediator regulates transcription by connecting gene-specific transcription factors to the RNA polymerase II initiation complex. We recently discovered by exome sequencing that specific exon 2 mutations in mediator complex subunit 12 (MED12) are extremely common in uterine leiomyomas. Subsequent screening studies have focused on this mutational hot spot, and mutations have been detected in uterine leiomyosarcomas, extrauterine leiomyomas and leiomyosarcomas, endometrial polyps, and colorectal cancers. All mutations have been missense changes or in-frame insertions/deletions. Here, we have analyzed 611 samples representing all above-mentioned tumor types for possible exon 1 mutations. Five mutations were observed, all of which were in-frame insertion/deletions in uterine leiomyomas. Transcriptome-wide expression data revealed that MED12 exon 1 and exon 2 mutations lead to the same unique global gene expression pattern with RAD51B being the most upregulated gene. Immunoprecipitation and kinase activity assays showed that both exon 1 and exon 2 mutations disrupt the interaction between MED12 and Cyclin C and CDK8/19 and abolish the mediator-associated CDK kinase activity. These results further emphasize the role of MED12 in uterine leiomyomas, show that exon 1 and exon 2 exert their tumorigenic effect in similar manner, and stress that exon 1 should be included in subsequent MED12 screenings.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1136-1141
Number of pages6
JournalHuman mutation
Volume35
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2014

Keywords

  • Benign tumor
  • Cancer
  • MED12
  • Somatic mutation
  • Uterine leiomyoma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Genetics(clinical)
  • Genetics

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