Identification of a 1-megabase consensus region of deletion at 1p36.3 in primary neuroblastomas

Background: Deletion of the distal short arm of chromosome 1 occurs frequently in neuroblastoma. In addition, neuroblastoma has been described in children with constitutional deletions within 1p36, supporting the existence of one or more neuroblastoma suppressor genes within this region.

Procedure: We have pursued a 1p36 tumor suppressor gene identification strategy that has included deletion mapping of 566 primary neuroblastomas and 46 neuroblastoma-derived cell lines, and have determined the parental origin of the deleted 1p homologue in 44 cases to determine whether there is evidence for genomic imprinting within this region.

Results and conclusions: We have identified a 1-Mb consensus region of deletion within 1p36.3 defined by primary tumor deletions, constructed a physical map of the region that is being sequenced to completion, and have identified and prioritized candidate genes within this region for further analyses.