Mutation spectrum and polymorphisms in ATP7B identified on direct sequencing of all exons in Chinese Han and Hui ethnic patients with Wilson's disease

Wilson's disease (WD), an autosomal recessive copper transport disorder, usually presents with symptoms involving the liver or central nervous system. The disease is caused by a large number of mutations in the ATP7B gene comprising 21 expressed exons. Some of the mutations appear to be population specific, whereas others are found in probands from a variety of different ethnic backgrounds. This paper presents the results of screening of the ATP7B gene by means of the direct sequencing of all exons in the gene in 39 Han and one Hui ethnic Chinese patients. Nineteen novel mutations were revealed along with nine others that have been previously described; 57.5% of the mutations were located in exons 8, 13, and 12. In particular, the Arg778Leu mutation in exon 8 was found in 55% of these Chinese patients in at least one allele. Five patients were homozygotes and 17 patients were heterozygotes for Arg778Leu. The detection rate on direct sequencing of the polymerase chain reaction products of all exons of the ATP7B gene in 40 unrelated patients was 83.8% of alleles. Seventeen polymorphisms were also identified in patients and healthy controls. We first reported the presence of ATP7B mutations in Chinese Hui ethnic patients and summarize our results here along with the previously reported findings. A significant correlation between genotype and phenotype was not found in 37 homozygotes and 52 heterozygotes for Arg778Leu.     

Spectrum of ATP7B mutations and genotype–phenotype correlation in large‐scale Chinese patients with Wilson Disease

Wilson disease (WD), an inherited disorder associated with ATP7B gene, has a wide spectrum of genotypes and phenotypes. In this study, we developed a rapid multiplex PCR‐MassArray method for detecting 110 mutant alleles of interest, and used it to examine genomic DNA from 1222 patients and 110 healthy controls. In patients not found to have any mutation in the 110 selected alleles, PCR‐Sanger sequencing was used to examine the ATP7B gene. We identified 88 mutations, including 9 novel mutations. Our analyses revealed p.Arg778Leu, p.Arg919Gly and p.Thr935Met showed some correlations to phenotype. The p.Arg778Leu was related to younger onset age and lower levels of ceruloplasmin (Cp) and serum copper, while p.Arg919Gly and p.Thr935Met both indicated higher Cp levels. Besides, the p.Arg919Gly was related to neurological subtype, and p.Thr935Met showed significant difference in the percentage of combined neurological and visceral subtype. Moreover, for ATP7B mutations, the more severe impact on ATP7B protein was, the younger onset age and lower Cp level presented. The feasibility of presymptomatic DNA diagnosis and predicting clinical manifestation or severity of WD would be facilitated with identified mutations and genotype–phenotype correlation precisely revealed in the study.     

High frequency of two mutations in codon 778 in exon 8 of the ATP7B gene in Taiwanese families with Wilson disease.

The gene for Wilson disease (WD) has been cloned as a P type copper transporter gene (ATP7B). To elucidate the possible genetic mechanism for the diversity of clinical manifestations, we characterised 22 Taiwanese families with WD by microsatellite haplotyping of close DNA markers D13S314-D13S301-D13S316. We also screened for mutations of codon 778 in the transmembrane region. There were at least 15 haplotypes within eight broad subgroups observed among 44 WD chromosomes. Among the 22 unrelated patients, we found that six patients (27%) carried a codon 778 mutation. Nucleotide sequence analysis showed there were two different mutations: the previously reported Arg778Leu mutation in four patients and Arg778Gln, a new mutation, in two patients. The two different mutations of the same codon occurred in two distinct microsatellite haplotypes.     

中国人WD基因第14和18号外显子的错义突变

目的了解中国人肝豆状核变性（Ｗｉｌｓｏｎ＇ｓｄｉｓｅａｓｅ,ＷＤ）基因第１４和１８号外显子的突变情况,与国外报道的这两个外显子的高突变频率进行比较。方法应用聚合酶链反应－单链构像多态（ＰＣＲ－ＳＳＣＰ）结合ＤＮＡ测序技术,对４４例无亲缘关系的ＷＤ患者及６０例正常对照进行突变检测。结果一例患者在１４号外显子发生了Ａｒｇ１０４１Ｐｒｏ（３１２１Ｇ→Ｃ）纯合错义突变,另一例患者在１８号外显子发生了Ａｓｎ１２７０Ｓｅｒ（３８０９Ａ→Ｇ）杂合错义突变。结论Ａｒｇ１０４１Ｐｒｏ为未报道过的新型错义突变,Ａｓｎ１２７０Ｓｅｒ突变与国外报道一致。但均未呈热区分布。     

Wilson disease: novel mutations in the ATP7B gene and clinical correlation in Brazilian patients

Wilson disease (WD) is a rare inherited autosomal recessive disorder caused by a defect in a metal transporting P-type ATPase, resulting in copper overload in various tissues and cells. The aim was to assess both the phenotype in Brazilian WD patients and the corresponding ATP7B genotype. Sixty subjects belonging to 46 pedigrees diagnosed as WD were included in this study. Direct sequencing of all 21 exons within ATP7B and their flanking introns was performed. Demographic, clinical, laboratory and histopathological data at the time of diagnosis were obtained. We identified twenty-five mutations, twelve of them reported for the first time. The c.3402delC mutation had the highest allelic frequency (30.8%), followed by the c.2123T>C (p.L708P) (16.7%). Exons 8 and 15 were the site of 62.5% of the mutations. The common European mutation c.3207C>A (p.H1069Q) was not present at all. Phenotype varied greatly among individuals with the same ATP7B genotype. Our data confirm the heterogeneity of ATP7B genotype in Brazilian WD patients. The mutational spectrum is compatible with the Brazilian history of Mediterranean immigration; however, new mutations, and different frequencies and phenotype associated with the previously known mutations characterize this population. Exons 8 and 15 should be preferentially screened in WD cases from Brazil. Phenotype variation among subjects with the same ATP7B genotype suggests that modifying factors play an additional role in the pathogenesis of WD.     

肝豆状核变性基因表达产物及基因突变的研究

目的 探讨肝豆状核变性（Wilson's disease,WD)的发病机理。方法 将活检获得的WD患者肝标本体外分离,培养肝细胞,应用Western印迹法对WD患者肝细胞WD蛋白进行检测,同时扩增其基因组DNA并直接测序。结果 3例WD患者中有2例出现肝细胞WD蛋白特异条带密度降低。DNA测序发现其中一例患者存在ATP7B778位点CGG→CTG（Arg778Leu)杂合突变及770位点CTC→CTG改变。结论 WD基因在WD患者肝细胞的蛋白表达存在异常。可能与ATP7B基因突变有关。     

应用变性高效液相色谱技术进行肝豆状核变性的基因突变筛查及产前诊断

目的 探讨变性高效液相色谱(denature high performance liquid chromatography,DHPLC)技术在肝豆状核变性(Wilson's disease,WD)的突变筛查及产前诊断中的临床应用.方法 以6个WD家系中的患者及其父母的DNA为模板,采用PCR技术扩增ATP7B基因的21个外显子及5'非翻译区,PCR产物经DHPLC技术进行突变筛查,对峰型有改变者进行测序验证.在确定了先证者突变类型的基础上,采用相同方法对其中4个家系(1个双胎和3个单胎)进行产前诊断.结果 6例患者中检测出5种已知的致病突变及8种多态类型.患者的父母均为相应突变类型的携带者.产前诊断结果显示,两例妊娠为异常胎儿,其中1例双胎为Arg778Leu/IVS4-1G>C双重杂合子,1例单胎为Ser975Tyr/Pro992Leu双重杂合子,这两对妊娠夫妇选择了终止妊娠.另两例妊娠中,1例为Ser975Tyr杂合子,1例完全正常,他们选择了继续妊娠,出生了表型正常儿.结论 DHPLC在Wilson病的突变检测和产前诊断中有良好的应用前景.     

Identification of novel ATP7B gene mutations and their functional roles in Korean patients with Wilson disease

Wilson disease (WND), an autosomal recessive disorder of copper transport, is characterized by excessive accumulation of intracellular copper in liver and extrahepatic tissues because of impaired biliary copper excretion and disturbed incorporation of copper into ceruloplasmin. Hepatic cirrhosis and neuronal degeneration are the major symptoms of WND, and mutations in the ATP7B gene are associated with WND. We have identified 28 different mutations in the ATP7B gene, including six novel variations, in 120 unrelated Korean patients with WND. Molecular defects in ATP7B were present in only 75.0% of Korean WND patients, with the most common mutation, p.Arg778Leu, having an allele frequency of 39.2%. To evaluate the functional defects of ATP7B caused by novel mutations, we used a yeast complementation system, and we used confocal microscopy to localize each mutation after transient expression in mammalian cells. Six novel variations were cloned into a yeast expression vector and two into a mammalian expression vector for confocal analysis. We found that c.2785A>G (p.Ile929Val) and c.3316G>A (p.Val1106Ile) were rare polymorphisms, whereas the others were novel variations disturbing ATP7B function.     

Mutational analysis of ATP7B and genotype-phenotype correlation in Japanese with Wilson's disease

The gene ATP7B responsible for Wilson's disease (WD) produces a protein which is predicted to be a copper-binding P-type ATPase, homologous to the Menkes disease gene (ATP7A). Various mutations of ATP7B have been identified. This study aimed to detect disease-causing mutations, to clarify their frequency and distribution, to determine whether genotype correlates with phenotype, and to determine the rate of abnormal findings in heterozygotes for the WD gene. We analyzed 41 unrelated Japanese WD families, including 47 patients. Twenty-one mutations, including nine novel ones, were identified. 2871delC (15.9%), 1708-5T-->G (11. 0%), and Arg778Leu (13.4%) were the most common mutations. 2871delC was detected mainly in eastern Japan and 1708-5T-->G in western Japan. The homozygotes for the 1708-5T-->G, 2871delC, or Arg778Leu mutations did not show a correlation with their phenotypes. Ceruloplasmin and copper levels were abnormally low in 28.6% and 35. 0% of heterozygotes, respectively. When patients and their families are screened for WD, a high rate of abnormal laboratory data in heterozygotes must be taken into account.     

Wilson's病8号外显子突变研究

目的对中国人ＷＤ基因８号外显子进行突变分析。方法对中国人Ｗｉｌｓｏｎ＇ｓ病（Ｗｉｌｓｏｎ＇ｓｄｉｓｅａｓｅ,ＷＤ）４５例患者以及２０例正常人的ＡＴＰ７Ｂ基因８号外显子进行ＳＳＣＰ分析,对有异常者进行测序,根据突变点序列设计合适的内切酶对所有患者进行酶切分析。结果正常组未见异常。患者组发现ｅｘ－ｏｎ８有泳动异常,序列分析证实Ｇ２２７３Ｔ置换,即Ａｒｇ７７８Ｌｅｕ突变。用限制性内切酶ＭｓｐⅠ对４５例患者以及２０例正常对照进行该位点酶切分析,表明正常组未见异常,患者组有２例突变纯合子,占患者总数４．４％,１１例杂合子,占１２．２％。外显子８的Ａｒｇ７７８Ｌｅｕ突变率占ＷＤ突变基因的１６．６７％。检测了２个突变家系。结论８号外显子突变可能是中国人ＷＤ发病的较重要原因。     

Frameshift and nonsense mutations in the gene for ATPase7B are associated with severe impairment of copper metabolism and with an early clinical manifestation of Wilson's disease

Wilson's disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive disorder of copper metabolism. The clinical phenotype of the disease is varied. It is proposed that this variation may be a result of differential functional disruption of ATPase7B (ATP7B) resulting from mutations in the gene ATP7B. We aimed to assess the relationship between specific mutational defects in ATP7B and divergence in the phenotypic expression of WD. One hundred and forty-two patients with clinically, biochemically and genetically diagnosed WD were included in the study. The phenotypic expression of WD was compared between patients with different types of mutations in ATP7B, detected by direct sequencing of exons 1-21 of the gene. Twenty-six mutations were identified in ATP7B; eleven of them were mutations predicted to result in the absence of a full-length normal protein [frameshift/nonsense mutations; classified as 'severe' mutations (SMs)], 14 were missense mutations (MMs) and one was a splice site mutation. Patients with one or two SMs on their alleles had lower serum copper and ceruloplasmin and were younger when the first symptoms of the disease appeared, compared with individuals with two MMs. The effect of SMs on the WD phenotype was dose-dependent. It is concluded that mutations within ATP7B are very heterogeneous. Frameshift and nonsense mutations are associated with a severe phenotype of WD.     

Mutation analysis of the ATP7B gene and genotype/phenotype correlation in 227 patients with Wilson disease

Wilson disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive disorder of copper transport. WD patients are presenting with a wide range of heterogeneous clinical syndromes including hepatic, neurological, or psychiatric presentations. The disease is caused by mutations in the ATP7B gene. This study presents the results of comprehensive mutation analysis in 227 WD patients from 200 unrelated families (173 from Czech Republic and 27 from Slovakia). More than 80% of all mutant alleles were identified, using a combination of PCR/RFLP, DGGE, TTGE, DHPLC, and sequencing. A total of 40 different mutations and 18 polymorphisms were detected on 400 independent mutant chromosomes. The most common molecular defect was H1069Q (57% of all 400 studied alleles). Each of the other 39 mutations was present in no more than 4% of WD alleles and 23 mutations were found in only one WD allele each (0.25%). Thirteen novel mutations were identified, including seven missense mutations (L641S, T737R, D918E, T1033S, G1111D, D1271N, and G1355C), four small deletions (19_20delCA, 1518_1522del5, 3140delA, and 3794_3803del10), and two splice-site mutations (2446-2A>G, 2865+1G>A). We did not find a significant correlation between H1069Q homozygosity and age of onset, and clinical and biochemical manifestation. Our data provide evidence that the H1069Q mutation-the most common molecular defect of the ATP7B gene in the Caucasian population-originates from Central/Eastern Europe. Screening of five prevalent mutations is predicted to reveal 70% of all mutant alleles presented in WD patients. This will provide a good starting point for early clinical classification of WD in our population.     

儿童肝豆状核变性临床表型及ATP7B基因突变关联性分析

目的了解汉族儿童肝豆状核变性（WD）患儿的临床表型与ATP7B基因突变的相关性。方法以2005年7月至2012年12月就诊于复旦大学附属儿科医院确诊WD患儿为研究对象,按起病部位分为肝病型和神经型,以临床表现分为临床型和亚临床型。采用PCR技术扩增ATPTB基因全部外显子并直接测序。提取临床表型和基因型的信息;分析两者之间的相关性。结果52个无亲缘关系家庭的53例WD患儿进行分析。肝脏损害52例（98．5％）。肝病型41例,神经型12例;临床型19例,亚临床型34例。①肝病型A¨升高明显;神经型24h尿铜水平、胆汁酸水平和K—F环阳性率均显著高于肝病型;亚临床型起病年龄、ALT或AST异常率显著高于临床型;24h尿铜水平、胆汁酸升高比例和K·F环阳性率显著低于临床型。②53例WD患儿ATP7B基因外显子序列分析发现致病性突变等位基因97个,突变频率为91．5％。纯合突变8例,复合杂合36例,杂合突变9例。错义突变23种,插入／缺失突变8种,无义突变2种,剪接突变3种。③错义突变与非错义突变,纯合突变与杂合突变患儿在起病年龄、K—F环阳性率、铜蓝蛋白水平、24h尿铜水平和ALT、AST异常率等方面差异无统计学意义。④3种高发突变P．Arg778Leu（35．O％,34／97）、P．Pr0992Leu（15／97,15．5％）和P．Ala874Val／Pro（5／97,5．2％）在临床型和亚临床型、肝病型和神经型问的分布差异无统计学意义。⑤纯合、错义和错义＋剪接突变在临床型和亚临床型、肝病型和神经型间的分布差异无统计学意义。结论WD患儿几乎均有肝脏受累,多以肝病表现起病。ATPTB常见突变为P．Arg778Leu、P．Pr0992Leu和P．Ala874Val,常见基因型和临床表型间未发现显著相关性。P．Ala874Val／Pro突变患儿起病年龄较低,剪接突变对血清铜蓝蛋白影响较小。     

Six novel ATP7B mutations in Thai patients with Wilson disease

WD is an autosomal recessive disorder of copper transport resulting in excessive copper deposition in the liver and brain. It is caused by defects of ATP7B encoding a copper transporting P-type ATPase. To identify the mutations in ATP7B in Thai patients with WD, DHPLC analysis was applied to detect mutations and polymorphisms of the entire ATP7B gene in 19 Thai patients with WD. Mutations in ATP7B were identified in 14 of 19 patients: 2 homozygotes, 8 compound heterozygotes and 4 heterozygotes. Eighteen mutations distributed throughout the entire coding region of ATP7B gene including 11 missense, 3 nonsense, 1 splice-site, 1 deletion and 2 insertions. Of 18 different mutations identified, 6 were found to be novel. Twelve single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were also identified and two SNPs have not yet previously been reported. Segregation analysis using DHPLC analysis showed mutation transmission patterns within each family of Thai patients with WD. Mutations in ATP7B in Thai patients with WD are worth adding into the public database for genetic epidemiology and population genetics.     

Wilson Disease Mutation Pattern with Genotype‐Phenotype Correlations from Western India: Confirmation of p.C271* as a Common Indian Mutation and Identification of 14 Novel Mutations

Wilson disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive disorder resulting from mutations in the ATP7B gene, with over 600 mutations described. Identification of mutations has made genetic diagnosis of WD feasible in many countries. The heterogeneity of ATP7B mutants is, however, yet to be identified in the Indian population. We analyzed the mutational pattern of WD in a large region of Western India. We studied patients (n = 52) for ATP7B gene mutations in a cohort of families with WD and also in first‐degree relatives (n = 126). All 21 exon–intron boundaries of the WD gene were amplified and directly sequenced. We identified 36 different disease‐causing mutations (31 exonic and five intronic splice site variants). Fourteen novel mutations were identified. Exons 2, 8, 13, 14, and 18 accounted for the majority of mutations (86.4%). A previously recognized mutation, p.C271*, and the novel mutation p.E122fs, were the most common mutations with allelic frequencies of 20.2% and 10.6%, respectively. Frequent homozygous mutations (58.9%) and disease severity assessments allowed analysis of genotype–phenotype correlations. Our study significantly adds to the emerging data from other parts of India suggesting that p.C271* may be the most frequent mutation across India, and may harbor a moderate to severely disabling phenotype with limited variability.     

Clinical features and mutational analysis in 114 young children with Wilson disease from South China

Wilson disease (WD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the ATP7B gene. Clinical features and mutational analysis of Chinese children with WD at early age were rarely described. Herein, we retrospectively examined 114 children with WD at the mean of 5.9 years old age at diagnosis. Eight patients developed acute liver failure at mean age of 9.7 years old, 4 of whom died. Among the 114 patients, 86.0% were presymptomatic with isolated elevation of transaminases at diagnosis, 99.1% had decreased ceruloplasmin, and 68.4% had urinary copper excretion over 100 μg/24 hr. Bi‐allele pathogenic ATP7B mutations were identified in all patients. Among the 60 mutations detected, 10 were novel, including 7 missense mutations (p.I566N, p.T704I, p.C980F, p.G1030 V, p.A1096Q, p.L1327P, and p.L1373F), 1 nonsense mutation (p.K866X), 1 small insertion (p.Y44LfsX2), and 1 small deletion (p.R1118PfsX10). The most frequent mutations were p.R778L, p.P992L, and p.I1148T, which affected 27.2, 25.4, and 20.2% of the 114 WD children, respectively. The patients carrying p.R778L presented a higher rate of acute liver failure than the patients without p.R778L (9.7% vs. 4.8%). These results will be helpful in establishing early diagnosis of WD at the gene level, offering beneficial information for genetic counseling and providing clues to genotype/phenotype correlation of ATP7B mutations.     

Wilson病ATP7B基因启动子区突变对基因表达的影响

目的 探讨Wilson病ATP7B基因启动子区突变与Wilson发病的关系。方法 在48例患者中发现2例存在-183（C→T）突变，对发现存在突变的样本的DNA片段进行分离，克隆入pGL2荧光素酶报告基因，转染细胞，测定荧光素酶的活性，以野生型的ATP7B基因启动子作为对照，分析ATP7B基因启动子点突变对转录活性的影响。结果 含正常与含突变ATP7B启动子区序列的pGL2载体的荧光素酶转录活性相比较差异无统计学意义（n=3，P〉0．05）。结论 启动子区-183（C→T）突变不影响基因转录活性。提示该突变的意义有待进一步的探讨。     

Novel L2HGDH mutations in 21 patients with L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria of Portuguese origin

We studied 21 patients, from 18 families, with L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria (L-2-HGA), a rare neurometabolic disorder with a homogeneous presentation: progressive neurodegeneration with extrapyramidal and cerebellar signs, seizures, and subcortical leukoencephalopathy. Increased levels of L-2-hydroxyglutaric acid in body fluids proved the diagnosis of L-2-HGA in all 21 patients. We analyzed the L-2-HGA gene (L2HGDH), recently found to be mutated in consanguineous families with L-2-HGA, and identified seven novel mutations in 15 families. Three mutations appeared to be particularly prevalent in this Portuguese panel: a frameshift mutation (c.529delC) was detected in 12 out of 30 mutant alleles (40%), a nonsense mutation (c.208C>T; p.Arg70X) in 7/30 alleles (23%), and a missense mutation (c.293A>G; p.His98Arg) in four out of 30 mutant alleles (13%), suggesting that common origin may exist. Furthermore, two novel missense (c.169G>A; p.Gly57Arg, c.1301A>C; p.His434Pro) and two splice error (c.257-2A>G, c.907-2A>G) mutations were found. All the mutations presumably lead to loss-of-function with no relationship between clinical signs, progression of the disease, levels of L-2-HGA and site of the mutation. In the three remaining families, no pathogenic mutations in the L-2-HGA were found, which suggests either alterations in regulatory regions of the gene or of its intervening sequences, compound heterozygosity for large genomic deletion and, or further genetic heterogeneity.     

Fetal akinesia deformation sequence: a study of 30 consecutive in utero diagnoses

Wilson disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive disorder of copper metabolism. The H1069Q mutation in exon 14 of ATP7B is far the most frequent in Wilson patients of European origin. Mutations in exon 8 and 15 are also common among the over 150 described mutations in the WD gene. The aim was to investigate the frequency of these common WD gene mutations in Hungarian patients. A total of 42 patients with WD from 39 Hungarian families were examined. The H1069Q mutation was assessed by a seminested polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assay, while mutations in exons 8, 13, 15, and 18 of WD gene were identified by sequencing. In addition, haplotype analysis was performed using three common microsatellite markers (D13S314, D13S301, D13S316). The H1069Q mutation was found in 27 patients (64.3%). Nine patients were H1069Q homozygous. Eighteen patients were H1069Q compound heterozygous, two of them had H1069Q/P969Q and one patient H1069Q/3400delC genotype. In two of the 15 H1069Q-negative patients a novel mutation in exon 13 (T977M) was detected. One H1069Q-negative patient had a mutation in exon 8 (G710S). None of the studied mutations was detected in 12 WD patients. H1069Q-positive patients from various European countries had the same haplotype pattern. The H1069Q point mutation is frequent in Hungarian patients with WD and appears to have originated from a single founder in Eastern Europe. In contrast, mutations in exons 8, 13, 15, and 18 are uncommon in Hungarian WD patients.     

肝豆状核变性患者ATP7B基因突变分析及中医分型的相关性研究

目的用PCR-酶切和DNA直接双向测序法分析中国汉人ATP7B基因exon8,12突变特点及与WD中医分型的相关性。方法分子生物学方法及中医辨证分型方法。结果在102例WD患者中ATP7B基因exon8突变率27.5%,ex-on12突变率14.7%。中医辨证可将WD分为6型,各型在临床上有一定特点。结论exon8,12突变是WD患者的ATP7B基因最常见的突变,中医各型均与此突变密切相关;研究中还可发现一些国内罕见报道的点突变。