Identification and functional validation of a novel pathogenic POT1 germline variant p.G95V in familial melanoma

Abstract

POT1 variants have been identified in familial melanoma (FM) as well as a number of other germline and somatic malignancies. The functional validation of variants identified from the screening of patients with melanoma gene susceptibility panels is key to understanding the clinical significance of identified variants. Here we report a novel, likely pathogenic POT1 missense variant (p.G95V) in FM and investigate its functional impact. We demonstrate loss of function owing to the inability of the mutant POT1 protein to bind telomeric DNA compared to its wild-type counterpart. This study provides important functional validation of a novel POT1 variant in FM.