AXIN2 gene plays a crucial role in morphogenesis of craniofacial area and is essential for tooth development. AXIN2 gene is one of the most studied genes associated with tooth agenesis, the most common defect of dentition in humans. Polymorphic variants in AXIN2 gene are discussed in relation to the occurrence of the tooth agenesis but also as an indication of the risk of cancer. Mutations in AXIN2 gene were found in patients with colorectal or hepatocellular carcinoma, prostate cancer, ovarium or lung cancer. These findings support the hypothesis that missing teeth may be a significant marker for predisposition for cancer.

Laboratory of Neurobiology and Molecular Psychiatry Department of Biochemistry Faculty of Science Masaryk University Brno Czech Republic

Laboratory of Neurochemistry Bosch Institute and Discipline of Anatomy and Histology School of medical sciences Sydney Medical School The University of Sydney 2006 Sydney NSW Australia

WNT10A variants: following the pattern of inheritance in tooth agenesis and self-reported family history of cancer