TERT Promoter Mutation Assay
Also known as: Telomerase
Use
Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is the rate-limiting catalytic subunit of telomerase, which maintains telomere length. The two most commonly impacted sites for TERT promoter mutations are located 124 and 146 base pairs upstream from the translational start site, and generate C to T transitions (-124C>T and -146C>T). These two hotspots comprise 100% of the mutations reported in glioma, and >98% of the mutations detected in the TERT promoter across all tumor types. TERT promoter mutations create novel binding sites for ETS/TCF family of transcription factors such as GA Binding Protein Transcription Factor Subunit Alpha (GABPA) and increase TERT expression ~2-6 fold. The -146C>T mutation also creates a binding site for non-canonical NF-KB subunit p52 and ETS1/2.
Special Instructions
Not provided.
Limitations
This assay has a sensitivity to detect approximately 5% mutated TERT in a background of non-mutant DNA. Mutations present at a level below the detection sensitivity or outside the analyzed region of the TERT gene will not be detected. This test has not been cleared or approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Methodology
PCR-based (Multiplex PCR)
Biomarkers
TERT
Gene
LOINC Codes
- 95778-7 - TERT promotor region Mut Anl Tiss
- 95778-7 - TERT promotor region Mut Anl Tiss
- 42349-1
- 82771-7 - Lab test loc perf Patient
- 66746-9 - Specimen type
- 94736-6 - Tissue block ID Spec
- 62364-5 - Test performance info Spec
- 49549-9 - Ref lab test method
- 75608-0 - Citation Ref Lab Test
- 72486-4 - Lab director name Provider
- 8100-0 - Specimen preparation
Result Turnaround Time
5-7 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Tissue (FFPE)
Volume
Paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPE) block
Minimum Volume
Two unstained slides at 5µm and one matching H&E slide or three unstained slides at 5µm
Container
FFPE tissue block and slide container
Storage Instructions
Maintain FFPE blocks/slides at room temperature.
Causes for Rejection
No tumor tissue in FFPE block or slides; broken or stained slides
Other tests from different labs that may be relevant
