Mutations of the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene in Brazilian patients with phenylketonuria

In the present study, 115 Brazilian families with phenylketonuria (PKU), mainly from the Southeast of the country, were studied using three laboratory methods (DGGE, SSCP, and sequencing). All 13 exons of the PAH gene were analyzed, including the splicing sites and the promoter region. We identified 50 distinct mutations and characterized 91% of the mutant alleles. The five most prevalent mutations of the 50 mutations identified (50% of the PKU alleles) were IVS10nt-11G-->A (17.4%), followed by R261Q (12.2%), V388M (9.1%), R252W (6.5%), and R270K (4.8%). The other mutations were rare. The mutation spectrum included 10 novel mutations (IVS5nt-54A-->G, IVS6nt17G-->T, E205A, F240S, K274E, I318T, L321L, C357G, IVS11nt17G-->A, and S411X). To characterize the origin and distribution of the PAH alleles we determined the association between the detected mutations and the PCR/RFLP haplotypes and VNTR alleles located on the PAH gene. For those patients whose mutant alleles were detected, we calculated the correlation with pretreatment phenylalanine levels, thus establishing a genotype/phenotype correlation. The present results confirm the marked heterogeneity observed at the PAH locus and contribute to the understanding of the distribution and frequency of PKU mutations in the Brazilian population.     

Mutational and phenotypical spectrum of phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiency in Denmark

We describe the genotypes of the complete cohort, from 1967 to 2014, of phenylketonuria (PKU) patients in Denmark, in total 376 patients. A total of 752 independent alleles were investigated. Mutations were identified on 744 PKU alleles (98.9%). In total, 82 different mutations were present in the cohort. The most frequent mutation c.1315+1G>A (IVS12+1G>A) was found on 25.80% of the 744 alleles. Other very frequent mutations were c.1222C>T (p.R408W) (16.93%) and c.1241A>G (p.Y414C) (11.15%). Among the identified mutations, five mutations; c.532G>A (p.E178K), c.730C>T (p.P244S), c.925G>A (p.A309T), c.1228T>A (p.F410I), and c.1199+4A>G (IVS11+4A>G) have not been reported previously. The metabolic phenotypes of PKU are classified into four categories; ‘classical PKU’, ‘moderate PKU’, ‘mild PKU’ and ‘mild hyperphenylalaninemia’. In this study, we assigned the phenotypic outcome of three of the five novel mutations and furthermore six not previously classified mutations to one of the four PKU categories.     

Mutation spectrum and phenylalanine hydroxylase RFLP/VNTR background in 44 Romanian phenylketonuric alleles

The mutation spectrum and polymorphic haplotype background in 22 Romanian families have been analysed in this study using the restriction digestion of phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) regions specifically amplified or the DGGE/direct sequencing methods. Eleven PAH mutations specifically associated with six mutant haplotypes were detected. In spite of the relative heterogeneity of the molecular defects in the PAH gene, three mutations covered almost 70% of all alleles: R408W, 47.72%, 21/44; K363fsdelG 13.63%, 6/44; and P225T 6.81%, 3/44. Among these, R408W, the most frequent mutation in our population, represented 50% of all the phenylketonuric (PKU) chromosomes. Splice mutation IVS12nt1g→a affected two PAH alleles (4.54%); the remaining seven mutations were rare, each having an effect on just one chromosome (1/44), resulting in a relative frequency of 2.27%. A high frequency was observed in our PKU samples for the relatively uncommon mutations, K363fsdelG and P225T mutation, suggesting a possible founder effect at origin. Within the investigated panel, these mutations, both very rare among other Caucasians were exclusively linked to haplotype 5.8 and 1.7, respectively. These results provide a basis for the development of a routine molecular analysis of Romanian PKU families. Hum Mutat 12:314–319, 1998.© 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Mutation screening of phenylketonuria in the Far East of Russia

We analyzed mutant genotypes at the human phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) locus among phenylketonuria (PKU) patients in the Far East of Russia. A total of 60 variant alleles from 30 PKU families were analyzed for prevalent Caucasian mutations and restriction fragment length polymorphism/variable number of tandem repeats (RFLP/VNTR) haplotypes. Seventy-eight percent of all variant alleles carried six mutations. The most prevalent mutation was R408W (63%), with a haplotype background of 2.3. It also showed a very high degree of homozygosity (43%). The other five mutations (R158Q, R261Q, R252W, R261X, and IVS12nt-1) accounted for 1.7%–6.7% of all PKU alleles, and a single haplotype was associated with each genotype, except for R261Q. The genetic structure of PKU patients in the Far East of Russia seems to be relatively homogeneous, compared with that in the other Slavic and Oriental populations of surrounding countries. Prediction of a clinical phenotype and carrier detection will be feasible using DNA tests. Received: June 30, 1999 / Accepted: August 10, 1999     

Phenylketonuria mutations in Northern China

Mutation spectrum of phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene in patients with phenylketonuria (PKU) in Northern China is described with a discussion on genotype-phenotype correlation. By using PCR/SSCP and DNA sequencing, all exons of PAH gene in the 185 unrelated patients with PKU from Northern China were studied. A total of 70 different mutations, including 42 missense, 12 splice, 7 nonsense, 5 deletion, 3 insertion, and 1 silence/splice mutations, were detected in 349/370 mutant alleles (94.3%). Deletion, insertion, and frameshift mutations were found for the first time in China PKU patients. The mutations R243Q, EX6-96A>G, R111X, Y356X, and R413P were the prevalent mutations with relative frequencies of 22.2, 11.1, 8.7, 6.5, and 6.5%, respectively. Fifteen novel mutations were identified in this study: I38fsX19, IVS4+3G>C, Y154H, R157K, R157I, T200fsX6, Q267H, Q267E, F302fsX39, G346R, S349A, L367L, R400K, IVS12+4A>G, and IVS12+6T>A. Each of them occurs at very low frequency (0.3-1.1%). The mutation spectrum of PKU in Chinese is similar to other Asian populations but significantly different from European populations. Altogether, 70 different mutations are found in 109 genotypes distributed among 185 PKU patients. As shown by the analysis, the predicted residual activity found in the majority of PKU individuals match their in vivo phenotypes, though evidence is also found for both phenotypic inconsistencies among subjects with similar genotypes and discordance between the in vitro and in vivo effects of some mutant alleles. The study enables us to construct a national database in China serving as a valuable tool for genetic counseling and prognostic evaluation of future cases of PKU.     

Genetic background of clinical homogeneity of phenylketonuria in Poland.

In order to elucidate the clinical homogeneity and severity of the hyperphenylalaninaemias in Poland, a total of 71 children with typical phenylketonuria (PKU) originating from western and northern Poland were screened for 13 mutations in the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene. Eighty percent of all PKU alleles tested were found to carry an identified mutation. One mutation, namely the R408W mutation, accounted for more than 63% of mutant PAH alleles in Poland, the other 27% being accounted for by six mutations: IVS12nt1 (5%), IVSnt546 (5%), Y414C (4%), R252W (1.5%), R261Q (< 1%), and G272ter (< 1%). The predominance of the R408W mutation resulted in a high rate of homozygotes (35.2%) and compound heterozygotes for this mutation in children from western and northern Poland. The frequency and deleterious nature of this mutation probably accounts for the clinical homogeneity and severity of the hyperphenylalaninaemias in Poland. In addition, the high rate of the R408W mutation and its association with mutant haplotype 2 at the PAH locus in Poland give additional support to the Balto-Slavic origin of this mutant gene.     

The molecular basis of phenylketonuria in Latvia

Characterization of the molecular basis of phenylketonuria (PKU) in Latvia has been accomplished through the analysis of 96 unrelated chromosomes from 50 Latvian PKU patients. Phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene mutations have been analyzed through a combined approach in which R158Q, R252W, R261Q, G272X, IVS10-11G>A and R408W mutations were first screened for by PCR or restriction generating PCR amplification of PAH gene exons 5, 7, 11 and 12 followed by digestion with the appropriate diagnostic enzyme. Subsequently 'broad range' denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis of the 13 PAH gene exons has been used to study uncharacterized PKU chromosomes. A mutation detection rate of 98% was achieved. 12 different mutations were found, with the most frequent mutation, R408W, accounting for 76% of Latvian PKU alleles. Six mutations (R408W, E280K, R158Q, A104D, R261Q and P281L) represent 92% of PKU chromosomes. PAH VNTR and STR alleles have been also identified and minihaplotype associations with PKU mutations were also determined.     

The molecular basis of phenylketonuria in Koreans

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an inborn error of metabolism that results from a deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH). We characterized the PAH mutations of 79 independent Korean patients with PKU or hyperphenylalaninemia. PAH nucleotide sequence analysis revealed 39 different mutations, including ten novel mutations. The novel mutations consisted of nine missense mutations (P69S, G103S, N207D, T278S, P281A, L293M, G332V, S391I, and A447P) and a novel splice site variant (IVS10–3C>G). R243Q, IVS4–1G>A, and E6–96A>G were the most prevalent mutations, as they accounted for 32% of the total mutant alleles in this study. Although some common characteristics of allele frequency and distribution were identified among oriental populations, several distinctive characteristics were revealed in Korean patients. Although the R413P allele is the most prevalent form (30.5%) in Japanese, we detected it in only five chromosomes from 158 independent chromosomes (3.2%). The A259T allele, which has not yet been found in oriental populations, was frequently found in this study. We also observed that tetrahydrobiopterin (BH₄) responsiveness was associated with specific genotypes (R53H, R241C, and R408Q), suggesting there are some correlations between phenotype and genotype.The first two authors contributed equally to this work.     

Population genetics of hyperphenylalaninaemia resulting from phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiency in Portugal.

In order to elucidate the molecular basis of phenylketonuria (PKU) in Portugal, a detailed study of the Portuguese mutant phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) genes was performed. A total of 222 mutant alleles from 111 PKU families were analysed for 26 mutations and restriction fragment length polymorphismlvariable number tandem repeat (RFLP/VNTR) haplotypes. It was possible to characterise 55% of the mutant alleles, in which 14 different mutations (R261Q, V388M, IVS10nt-11, I65T, P281L, R252W, R158Q, L348V, Y414C, L311P, Y198fsdel22bp, R408W, R270K, and R261X) and three polymorphisms (Q232Q, V245V, and L385L) were identified. A total of 14 different haplotypes were observed, with a high prevalence of haplotype 1 among mutant and normal alleles. The results reported in this study show considerable genetic heterogeneity in the Portuguese PKU population, as has also been described for other southern European populations.     

中国北方地区苯丙氨酸羟化酶基因的突变构成

目的了解中国人苯丙氨酸羟化酶（phenylalanine hydroxylase,PAH）基因的突变构成。方法应用PCR单链构象多态结合序列分析检测230例苯丙酮尿症患儿PAH基因全部外显子及其两侧内含子。结果（1）在460个PAH等位基因中检测出75种不同的突变基因,总检测率达94.6%（435/460）,其中3种突变基因（S251-R252〉SfsX89、Y387D和A389G）尚未见到报道。常见的突变基因为：R243Q（21.7%）、EX6-96A〉G（10.2%）、R111X（8.3%）、R413P（6.5%）和Y356X（6.1%）。较常见的突变基因为：V399V（4.1%）、IVS4-1G〉A（3.5%）、IVS7＋2T〉A（2.2%）和R241C（2.2%）。大部分突变集中在第3、5、6、7、11和12外显子及其两侧内含子区域。（2）检测出10种多态性位点,突变率高的4个位点IVS3-22C〉T（56.7%）、IVS10＋97G〉A（75.9%）、Q232Q（89.0%）和V245V（81.9%）,提示PAH基因cDNA序列存在人种差异。结论中国人PAH基因的突变构成与欧洲人群完全不同,与亚洲其它人群有频率的差异。     

河南地区苯丙酮尿症患者苯丙氨酸羟化酶基因突变研究

目的 了解河南地区苯丙酮尿症(phenylketonuria,PKU)患者苯丙氨酸羟化酶(phenylalanine hydroxylase,PAH)基因突变情况,以便为苯丙酮尿症产前诊断和遗传咨询提供理论依据.方法 应用PCR产物直接测序对47例PKU患者及其父母PAH基因第1～13外显子及其两侧内含子进行序列分析.结果 在94条染色体中共检测到了83个PAH基因突变位点,检出率为88.3%(83/94),共发现了25种突变,其中突变E79fX13、H271R和D415Y国内外未见报道,突变VS10-14C＞G为国内首次报道.河南地区PKU患者的PAH基因突变集中在第6、7和11外显子,常见的7种突变是p.R243Q(20.5%)、EX6-96A＞G(12.0%)、p.Y356X(9.6%)、VS4-1G＞A(9.6%)、p.R111X(8.4%)、p.V399V(8.4%)、p.R413P(7.2%).结论 河南地区PKU患者PAH基因突变与中国其他地区相似,通过PAH基因直接测序可对大部分的PKU家系进行产前诊断.

Abstract：

Objective To study the characteristics of the phenylalanine hydroxylase gene (PAH)mutations in patients with phenylketonuria (PKU) in Henan province, in order to provide basic information for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis. Methods Mutations of the PAH gene were detected in exons 1-13 with flanking introns of PAH gene by PCR and DNA sequencing in 47 families with PKU. Results A total of 25 different mutations were detected in 83 out of 94 PAH alleles (88. 3%). Among them,E79fX13, H271R and D415Y have not been reported previously. It was the first time that IVS10-14C＞Gmutation was reported in Chinese PKU population. The mutations p. R243Q, EX6-96A＞G, p. Y356X,IVS4-1G＞A, p. R111X, p. V399V and p. R413P, were the prevalent mutations with relative frequencies of 20. 5 %, 12.0%, 9.6%, 9. 6%, 8. 4%, 8. 4% and 7.2% respectively. Conclusion The mutations of the PAH gene in patients with classical phenylketonuria in Henan province were similar to that in other areas of China. Prenatal gene diagnosis for PKU by PAH gene sequencing is efficient for most PKU families.     

经典型苯丙酮尿症苯丙氨酸羟化酶基因的新突变鉴定

目的研究经典型苯丙酮尿症(phenylketonuria, PKU)基因突变.方法应用聚合酶链反应,单链构象多态分析和DNA直接测序等技术,对内蒙古地区32个PKU家系苯丙氨酸羟化酶(phenylalanine hydroxylase, PAH)基因第3～12外显子进行了鉴定分析. 结果检出14种PAH基因点突变R243Q (12/64)、Y356X(6/64)、Y204C(5/64)、R261Q(2/64)、Y161S(2/64)、R252Q(1/64)、R111X(2/64)、D282G(1/64)、S303P(1/64)、G239D(1/64)、R413P(1/64)、IVS7nt+2(2/64)、IVS4nt+3(1/64)、IVS9nt+34(2/64),经检索国际PAH基因突变数据统计库(截至到2004年7月),确认IVS4nt+3(G>C)、IVS9nt+34(G>A)为国际首次发现的新突变,S303P(T>C) 、D282G(A>G)为国内首次报道的新突变.结论内蒙古人群苯丙氨酸羟化酶基因存在突变的多样性,R243Q、Y356X、Y204C是PAH基因的突变热点.     

河南省苯丙酮尿症患者苯丙氨酸羟化酶基因突变的构成

目的 了解河南省苯丙酮尿症(phenylketonuria,PKU)患者苯丙氨酸羟化酶(phenylalanine hydroxylase,PAH)基因突变的特点,为临床遗传咨询、基因诊断及产前诊断提供科学依据.方法 应用聚合酶链反应和DNA正反测序技术对34例经典型PKU患者的PAH基因全部13个外显子及两侧部分内含子进行鉴定分析.结果 34例患者共68个PAH等位基因中共检出23种致病突变(包括错义突变12种、无义突变4种、剪接突变4种和缺失3种)和9种其它基因变异.致病基因突变的总检出率为92.65%(63/68).第7外显子的基因突变种类最多,其次是第5外显于和第11外显子.检索PAH基因突变数据库和查阅相关文献,确定有2种突变[A156P和P69_S70delinsP(delCTT)]国际上未见报道,4种突变(IVS2+5G＞C、G332E、IVS10-14C＞G、L367＞Wfs)国内未见报道.结论 河南省PKU患者PAH基因的突变构成及频率与中国其它地区人群稍有不同.     

Mutation spectrum of phenylketonuria in Iranian population

Identification of molecular basis of phenylketonuria (PKU) in Iran has been accomplished through the analysis of 248 unrelated chromosomes from 124 Iranian classic PKU subjects. Phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene mutations were analyzed through a combined approach in which p.S67P, p.R252W, p.R261Q, p.R261X, p.L333F, IVS10-11G>A, IVS11+1G>C, p.L364del, p.R408Q and p.R408W mutations were first screened by PCR of PAH gene exons 3, 7, 10, 11 and 12, followed by digestion with the appropriate digestion enzymes. Subsequently SSCP analysis for exons 2, 6, 7 and 11 of the PAH gene and finally, sequencing of 13 PAH gene exons have been used to study uncharacterized PKU chromosomes. 26 different mutations were found. The predominant mutation in this population sample was IVS10-11G>A, with a frequency of 24.6%. Nine mutations (IVS10-11G>A, p.R261Q, p.P281L, IVS11+1G>C, p.K363>NFS, p.R243X, IVS2+5G>C, p.R261X and p.R252W) represent almost 84% of all PKU chromosomes studied. IVS10-11G>A mutation is the major PKU-causing mutation throughout the Mediterranean region. The finding of the high prevalence of this mutation in Iranian population is consistent with the historical and geographical links between Iranian and Mediterranean populations.     

A comprehensive study of phenylalanine hydroxylase gene mutations in the Iranian phenylketonuria patients

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a metabolic disorder caused by mutations in the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene. After thalassemia, PKU is considered as the most common autosomal recessive diseases in the Iranian population. Therefore, an efficient diagnostic strategy is required to identify disease-causing mutations in this population. Following our first report in 2003, here we presented a comprehensive study on the mutation spectrum of the PAH gene in the Iranian population. This study was performed on 280 unrelated chromosomes from 140 Iranian patients with classic PKU. All 13 exons as well as exon-intron boundaries of the PAH gene were analyzed by direct DNA sequencing. Thirty four different mutations were identified by a mutation detection rate of 100%. IVS10-11G > A, p.P281L, R261Q, p.F39del and IVS11+1G > C were the most prevalent mutations with frequencies of 26.07%, 19.3%, 12.86%, 6.07 and 3.93%, respectively. All other mutations represented a relative frequency less than 3.5%. The data from this study provided a comprehensive spectrum of the PAH gene mutations which can facilitate carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis of PKU disease in the Iranian population.     

Molecular characterization of phenylketonuria and tetrahydrobiopterin-responsive phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiency in Japan

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a heterogeneous metabolic disorder caused by a deficiency in hepatic phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH). On the basis of phenotype/genotype correlations, determination of phenylketonuric genotype is important for classification of the clinical phenotype and treatment of PKU, including tetrahydrobiopterin therapy. We characterized the genotypes of 203 Japanese patients with PKU and hyperphenylalaninemia using the following systems: (1) denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography with a GC-clamped primer; (2) direct sequencing; and, (3) multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification. Of 406 mutant alleles, 390 (96%) were genotyped; 65 mutations were identified, including 22 new mutations. R413P, R241C, IVS4-1g>a, R111X and R243Q were prevalent mutations. Mutations prevalent in the Japanese cohort are also common in Korean and Northern Chinese populations, suggesting same origin. The spectrum of prevalent mutations was not significantly different among six Japanese districts, indicating that Japan comprises a relatively homogeneous ethnic group. We classified the mutations by clinical phenotypes and in vivo PAH activity and estimated the mutations with potential tetrahydrobiopterin (BH(4)) responsiveness. The frequency of BH(4) responsiveness based on the genotype was 29.1% in Japanese PKU patients. A catalog of PKU genotypes would be useful for predicting clinical phenotype, deciding on the subsequent treatment of PKU including BH(4) therapy, and genetic counseling in East Asia.     

Haplotypes and mutations of the PAH locus in Egyptian families with PKU

A high degree of molecular heterogeneneity at the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) locus was established by examining RFLP haplotypes and PAH mutations in the families of 13 Egyptians with phenylketenouria (PKU). Thirteen different haplotypes were unequivocally determined in these kindreds. Haplotypes 1.8, 3.9, 4.3, 7.8, 22.11, 27.6, and 52.8 were found segregating with normal chromosomes, whilst haplotypes 1.8, 5.9, 23.8, 32.8, the newly assigned 73.9, and two as yet incomplete but novel haplotypes were found segregating with the mutant chromosomes. There was no particular preference for a single haplotype among normal or mutant chromosomes. Nine different mutations were also identified among the 26 alleles. IVS 10nt11g (8/26), IVS 2nt5g-c (4/26), R261Q (3/26), R176X (2/26), Y206D (2/26), S231P (2/26), Y198fs [593-614del22bp]; (2/26), G46fs [136/137delG]; (1/26), and E178G (1/26). Six of these mutations (IVS 2nt5g-c, R176X, Y198fs, R261Q, S231P, and IVS 10nt11g) are common to other Mediterranean populations. Two mutations not previously reported in the Mediterranean basin were also observed (Y206D and G46fs). These intriguing preliminary findings confirm IVS 10nt11g as a major mutation among Mediterranean mutations and demonstrate the need for a more comprehensive study of Arab populations to confirm the uniqueness of the two novel mutations to the Egyptian population.     

天津及周边地区苯丙氨酸羟化酶基因突变谱和新突变分析

目的 分析天津地区人苯丙氨酸羟化酶(phenylalanine hydroxylase gene,PAH)基因突变谱,明确本地区该基因突变类型和特点,为遗传咨询和产前基因诊断提供科学依据.方法 用聚合酶链反应-单链构象多态、变性高效液相色谱法和DNA测序法对天津及河北等地99例已确诊各种类型苯丙酮尿症患儿基因组DNA进行PAH全基因13个外显子分析.结果 全基因共检出41种突变,含错义突变22种、无义突变7种、剪接位点突变9种和缺失突变3种.其中新突变6种(IVS3nt+1g→a、A165D、Q301X、G344D、P362L和R413G).198个PAH等位基因突变总检出率为93.94%.结论 天津及周边地区PAH基因突变谱广、遗传异质性高,一些常见突变的发生频率与以往报道的地域分布略不同.     

PAH gene mutations in the Sicilian population: association with minihaplotypes and expression analysis.

The molecular basis of PAH deficiency in the Sicilian population is characterized by a marked heterogeneity, with 44 mutations at a single locus identified by a "gene-scanning" approach and accounting for a detection rate of 91%. The remaining 9% of PAH alleles does not bear mutations in any of the 13 exons and 24 exon/intron junctions. Three mutations IVS10nt-11 G > A, R261Q, and A300S accounted for 30.5%, whereas the remaining mutations were found at relative frequencies of less than 5% and 20 mutations were observed once only. Five mutations have been detected only in Sicilians so far. By studying the association of mutations with intragenic STR-VNTR haplotypes ("minihaplotypes"), "identity by descent" has been established for 24 mutations also detected in other populations. This finding supports the hypothesis of a multipolar origin for a large proportion of PAH mutant alleles currently detected in Sicilians. In order to improve our understanding of the clinical heterogeneity of PAH deficiency in this population, we have for the first time analyzed three missense mutations L41F, T92I, and P211T in vitro by the pCDNA3/COS-7 eukaryotic expression system and found an activity of 10, 76, and 72%, respectively, compared to normal PAH. In two HPA patients with mild PKU and mild hyperphenylalaninemia (MHP), harboring respectively L41F/R261Q and T92I/P281L genotypes, the predicted biochemical effect of these genotypes appeared to be consistent with the metabolic phenotypes. In contrast, discordant metabolic phenotypes (mild PKU and MHP) were observed in two unrelated patients bearing the same R261Q/P211T genotype, a finding which underscores the complex relationship linking genotype to phenotype in PAH deficiency. Hypotheses on the possible mechanisms responsible for the observed discordance are discussed. The spectrum of PAH gene mutations in Sicily reflects the complex demographic history of this island at the crossroad of prehistoric and historical migrations in the Mediterranean sea. The data presented in this study also add to the present knowledge on the relationship between PAH genotypes and HPA phenotype and are expected to improve PAH genotyping among individuals with hyperphenylalaninemia.     

The molecular basis of phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiency in Croatia

We present the results of a comprehensive analysis of mutations, polymorphisms and haplotypes in the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene in 39 Croatian families with phenylketonuria (PKU). A total of 21 disease-causing mutations was identified on 78 out of 79 independent chromosomes. The commonest mutation, R408W on haplotype 2 was found with a relative frequency of 37 %. P281L accounted for 11 %, R261Q and E390G each for 9 % of mutant chromosomes. There were three novel mutations: L249P (c.746T>C) in exon 7, IVS8+2T>C (c.912T>C) in intron 8, and F402L (c.1206T>G) in exon 12 of the PAH gene. Two known PKU mutations were found in cis on the same chromosome in one family, highlighting the need to perform full mutation scanning in recessive disease genes for molecular diagnosis even if two known mutations have been identified in a patient. This is the first comprehensive report on PKU mutations in southeastern Europe, adding to the growing bulk of molecular data for population genetic investigations.