WD Repeat Containing Domain Protein 76 (WDR76)

Allele imbalance at chromosome 15q14-q22 is seen in a high proportion of sporadic colorectal cancers encompassing the colorectal adenoma and carcinoma susceptibility locus. The FLJ12973 gene, which has recently been identified as a candidate tumour suppressor, maps to 15q15 and encodes a WD-repeat protein with structural similarity to the small subunit of the xeroderma pigmentosum E (XP-E) complex.

No missense changes or pathogenic mutations--truncating or splice site--were detected in any of the tumours. While epigenetic effects on FLJ12973 cannot be excluded, these results show that it is not a common target for mutations in colorectal cancers.