Germline Mutations in the Von Hippel-Lindau Disease (VHL) Gene in Mainland Chinese Families

Background: von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is a hereditary cancer syndrome caused by germline mutations in the VHL gene. To date, more than 500 VHL families have been reported worldwide. However, few information is available about VHL germline mutations in mainland Chinese families.

Objective: To provide some preliminary information about the germline VHL mutations in mainland Chinese population.

Methods: A total of 27 index patients suspected of having VHL disease from unrelated Chinese families were studied by using direct DNA sequencing analysis and universal primer quantitative fluorescent multiplex polymerase chain reaction.

Results: The VHL germline mutations were detected in 26 (96%) probands. A total of 20 intragenic mutations (77%) were identified consisting of 12 missenses, 5 nonsenses, 2 micro-deletions and 1 novel intron mutation (IVS1-38C>T). Six large deletions (23%) were detected including four partial deletions and two complete deletions. Furthermore, a C>T substitution at nucleotide 470 (Pro86Leu) was observed in two unrelated Chinese families. Of note, two mutations (Asn78Ser and Ser80Ile) previously characterized as VHL type I mutations in Western VHL were associated with the type II Chinese family. In addition, a VHL germline mutation was also identified in a proband who did not fulfill the clinical diagnostic criteria for VHL disease.

Conclusions: The spectrum of VHL germline mutations in mainland Chinese population is similar to that observed in Western population, and Genetic testing can be powerful in diagnosis and clinical management of VHL disease.