Odontogenic myxomas are not associated with activating mutations of the Gs alpha gene
Boson, W.L.; Gomez, R.S.; Araujo, L.; Kalapothakis, E.; Friedman, E.; De Marco, L.
Anticancer Research 18(6a): 4415-4417
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0250-7005 PMID: 9891502 Document Number: 494219
Myxoma is a rare bone tumor of the mandible and maxillary sinus whose etiology and underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. Mutations that inhibit the GTPase activity of the a subunit of the stimulating G protein (Gsa) have been demonstrated in the myocardium of patients with McCune-Albright syndrome. The histopathological similarities shared by cardiac and jaw myxomas coupled with the paucity of reported candidate genes involved in jaw tumor pathogenesis, prompted us to investigate for the presence of gsp mutations in 23 sporadic jaw myxomas. We used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify the appropriate genomic fragments, followed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis. No gsp mutations could be demonstrated in any of tumors analyzed, while the technique has a proven capability to detect these specific mutations. We conclude that mutations of the Gs alpha gene rarely, if ever, are associated with sporadic jaw myxomas tumorigenesis.