MonoSeq Variant Caller Reveals Novel Mononucleotide Run Indel Mutations in Tumors with Defective DNA Mismatch Repair

Christopher J. Walker, Mario A. Miranda, Matthew J. O'Hern, James S. Blachly, Cassandra L. Moyer, Jennifer Ivanovich, Karl W. Kroll, Ann Kathrin Eisfeld, Caroline E. Sapp, David G. Mutch, David E. Cohn, Ralf Bundschuh, Paul J. Goodfellow

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Next-generation sequencing has revolutionized cancer genetics, but accurately detecting mutations in repetitive DNA sequences, especially mononucleotide runs, remains a challenge. This is a particular concern for tumors with defective mismatch repair (MMR) that accumulate strand-slippage mutations. We developed MonoSeq to improve indel mutation detection in mononucleotide runs, and used MonoSeq to investigate strand-slippage mutations in endometrial cancers, a tumor type that has frequent loss of MMR. We performed extensive Sanger sequencing to validate both clonal and subclonal MonoSeq mutation calls. Eighty-one regions containing mononucleotide runs were sequenced in 540 primary endometrial cancers (223 with defective MMR). Our analyses revealed that the overall mutation rate in MMR-deficient tumors was 20–30-fold higher than in MMR-normal tumors. MonoSeq analysis identified several previously unreported mutations, including a novel hotspot in an A7 run in the terminal exon of ARID5B.The ARID5B indel mutations were seen in both MMR-deficient and MMR-normal tumors, suggesting biologic selection. The analysis of tumor mRNAs revealed the presence of mutant transcripts that could result in translation of neopeptides. Improved detection of mononucleotide run strand-slippage mutations has clear implications for comprehensive mutation detection in tumors with defective MMR. Indel frameshift mutations and the resultant antigenic peptides could help guide immunotherapy strategies.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1004-1012
Number of pages9
JournalHuman mutation
Volume37
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2016

Keywords

  • endometrial cancer
  • microsatellite instability
  • mononucleotide run
  • next-generation sequencing

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