The evolving mutational landscape of normal human esophagus
The extent to which cells in normal tissues accumulate mutations during life is poorly understood. Some mutant cells expand into clones that can be detected by genome sequencing. We mapped mutant clones in normal esophageal epithelium from nine donors aged 20-75. Somatic mutations accumulate with age and are mainly caused by intrinsic mutational processes. We found strong Darwinian selection of clones carrying mutations in 14 cancer genes, with tens to hundreds of such clones per square centimeter. By middle age, clones with cancer-associated mutations cover most of the epithelium, with NOTCH1 and TP53 mutations affecting 40% and 10% of all cells, respectively. Remarkably, the prevalence of NOTCH1 mutations in normal esophagus is several times higher than in esophageal cancers. The esophagus emerges as an evolving patchwork of mutant clones that colonize the majority of the epithelium, with implications for our understanding of cancer and ageing.
- 25 samples
- DAC: EGAC00001000000
- Technology: HiSeq X Ten
- PUB DUO:0000019 (version: 2021-02-23)publication requiredThis data use modifier indicates that requestor agrees to make results of studies using the data available to the larger scientific community.
- US DUO:0000026 (version: 2021-02-23)user specific restrictionThis data use modifier indicates that use is limited to use by approved users.
- IS DUO:0000028 (version: 2021-02-23)institution specific restrictionThis data use modifier indicates that use is limited to use within an approved institution.
- GRU DUO:0000042 (version: 2021-02-23)general research useThis data use permission indicates that use is allowed for general research use for any research purpose.
Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute Cancer Genome Group Data Sharing Policy
Studies are experimental investigations of a particular phenomenon, e.g., case-control studies on a particular trait or cancer research projects reporting matching cancer normal genomes from patients.
| Study ID | Study Title | Study Type |
|---|---|---|
| Cancer Genomics |