Mitochondrial microsatellite instability in colorectal carcinomas-frequency and association with nuclear microsatellite instability

The D310 mononucleotide repeat in the D-loop region in mitochondrial DNA has been identified as a hotspot for alterations in primary tumours. We examined D310 alterations as well as repeats in the ND1 and ND5 genes, in 95 colorectal carcinomas and in 95 controls without known gastrointestinal malignancy. D310 alterations were found in 32 (34%) of the carcinomas, in contrast to two persons (2%) in the control group. Thus, when frequency is concerned, D310 seems to be a hotspot for alterations in colorectal cancer. No mutations were found in the ND1 and ND5 genes. D310 instability was not associated with nuclear microsatellite instability, indicating different mechanisms of occurrence.