Project name: Homo sapiens

Description: Genomic rearrangements typically occur progressively during tumor development. Recent findings, however, suggest an alternative mechanism, involving chromosome shattering and reshuffling ('chromothripsis'), for which no genetic basis has yet been described. Whole-genome sequencing of a Sonic-Hedgehog medulloblastoma (SHH-MB) brain tumor from a patient with a germline TP53 mutation (Li-Fraumeni syndrome) revealed massive, complex rearrangements resulting from chromothripsis. Integrating TP53 status with genomic rearrangement data in additional medulloblastomas revealed a striking association between TP53 mutation and chromothripsis in SHH-MBs. Unexpectedly, five seemingly sporadic SHH-MB patients with chromothripsis harbored TP53 germline mutations – findings relevant for clinical management. Analysis of additional tumor entities substantiated a link between TP53 mutation and chromothripsis, beyond general genomic instability. Among these, we observed a strong association between somatic TP53 mutations and chromothripsis in acute myeloid leukemia. These findings implicate p53 in the initiation of, or cellular reaction to, chromothripsis – a novel role for the 'guardian of the genome'.Overall design: The DNA copy-number profiles of 11 primary medulloblastoma samples were analyzed on the Affymetrix Mapping250K Nsp array, together with data from 70 primary samples taken from GSE14437. Data from diploid reference samples were taken from GSE9222. Additionally, DNA copy-number profiles for 19 additional medulloblastoma samples were generated on the Affymetrix SNP6 platform with matched blood samples.

Data type: Variation

Sample scope: Multiisolate

Relevance: Medical

Release date: 2012-01-20

Last updated: 2011-12-08