A dominant RAD51C pathogenic splicing variant predisposes to breast and ovarian cancer in the Newfoundland population due to founder effect

Abstract Background RAD51C is important in DNA repair and individuals with pathogenic RAD51C variants have increased risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC), an autosomal dominant genetic predisposition to early onset breast and/or ovarian cancer. Methods Five female HBOC proban...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Molecular Genetics & Genomic Medicine
Main Authors: Lesa M. Dawson, Kerri N. Smith, Salem Werdyani, Robyn Ndikumana, Cindy Penney, Louisa L. Wiede, Kendra L. Smith, Justin A. Pater, Andrée MacMillan, Jane Green, Sheila Drover, Terry‐Lynn Young, Darren D. O’Rielly
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2020
Subjects:
founder variant
hereditary breast and ovarian cancer
RAD51C
splicing
variant of uncertain significance
Genetics
QH426-470
Newfoundland
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/mgg3.1070
https://doaj.org/article/85df780709ba4208b36038099c41da29
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Summary:Abstract Background RAD51C is important in DNA repair and individuals with pathogenic RAD51C variants have increased risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC), an autosomal dominant genetic predisposition to early onset breast and/or ovarian cancer. Methods Five female HBOC probands sequenced negative for moderate‐ and high‐risk genes but shared a recurrent variant of uncertain significance in RAD51C (NM_058216.3: c.571 + 4A > G). Participant recruitment was followed by haplotype and case/control analyses, RNA splicing analysis, gene and protein expression assays, and Sanger sequencing of tumors. Results The RAD51C c.571 + 4A > G variant segregates with HBOC, with heterozygotes sharing a 5.07 Mbp haplotype. RAD51C c.571 + 4A > G is increased ~52‐fold in the Newfoundland population compared with the general Caucasian population and positive population controls share disease‐associated alleles, providing evidence of a founder effect. Splicing analysis confirmed in silico predictions that RAD51C c.571 + 4A > G causes exon 3 skipping, creating an immediate premature termination codon. Gene and protein expression were significantly reduced in a RAD51C c.571 + 4G > A heterozygote compared with a wild‐type relative. Sanger sequencing of tumors from two probands indicates loss‐of‐heterozygosity, suggesting loss of function. Conclusion The RAD51C c.571 + 4A > G variant affects mRNA splicing and should be re‐classified as pathogenic according to American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines.

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