Genetic and epigenetic analysis of monozygotic twins discordant for testicular cancer

International Journal of Molecular Epidemiology and Genetics

Christian P Kratz¹ 

关键词: Testicular germ cell tumor;    twin study;    epigenetics;    familial cancer;    array CGH;    methylation;   

DOI  :  

学科分类：流行病学

来源: e-Century Publishing Corporation

【 摘 要 】

Despite the notion that monozygotic (identical) twins share 100% identical genetic information, genetic differences among monozygotic twin pairs do occur and can be explained by mechanisms occurring during post-zygotic events. Despite such twins being fundamentally “identical”, these post-zygotic genetic changes may give rise to phenotypic differences and genetic diseases. Consequently, studies of monozygotic twin pairs discordant for specific genetic diseases represent an important tool for the identification of disease genes. We used array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) and methylation arrays to search for genetic and epigenetic differences in blood drawn from four monozygotic twin pairs discordant for testicular germ cell tumors. No consistent differences were identified. A larger twin study would be required to achieve confident discovery of very subtle differences between monozygotic twins discordant for testicular germ cell tumors.

【 授权许可】

CC BY-NC