RNA sequence analysis reveals macroscopic somatic clonal expansion across normal tissues

https://science.sciencemag.org/content/364/6444/eaaw0726?ijkey=747d2d8299edcfd1fdfe566522ccbcf3ba841b1f&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha

Keren Yizhak, François Aguet, Jaegil Kim, Paz Polak, Kristin G. Ardlie, Gad Getz and others

• The authors study the RNA sequence of >6000 samples across 29 normal tissues (using a method they call RNA-MuTect), and find multiple macroscopic somatic mutations in normal tissues.
• Genes which are highly expressed may be investigated for evidence of somatic mosaicism
• Sun-exposed skin, esophagus, and lung have a higher mutation load than other tested tissues, suggesting an evironmental role
• Mutation burden was associated with age and tissue-specific proliferation rate
• Normal tissues were found to harbour mutations in known cancer genes
• See also Cristian Tomasetti's summary here