Molecular study of human growth hormone gene cluster in three families with isolated growth hormone deficiency and similar phenotype

The growth hormone (GH) gene (hGH-N) cluster was analysed using polymerase chain reaction, Southern and polymorphism analysis in five patients (including two pairs of siblings) with extreme short stature and absence of GH secretion. Patients 1 and 2 (siblings) were homozygous for a large deletion removing four genes of the cluster: hGH-N, hCS-L, hCS-A and hGH-V Both siblings produced high anti-GH antibody levels in response to exogenous GH therapy, followed by growth arrest a few months after starting replacement therapy. In patient 3 we detected a heterozygous deletion which involved three genes of the cluster (hCS-A, hGH-V, hCS-B) and left an intact hGH-N gene. Direct sequencing of hGH-N specific amplified fragments excluded the presence of any point mutations in exons and splicing regions. In patients 4 and 5 (sisters) our study did not demonstrate any gene deletions. Analysis of polymorphic restriction patterns in this family demonstrated that both sisters inherited the same alleles from the father but different alleles from the mother, suggesting that the defect was not linked to the hGH-N gene. These results confirm the difficulty of clinical identification of subjects with hGH-N deletion and underline the importance of DNA analysis in patients with absence of GH secretion and extreme growth retardation.A preliminary report of these studies was presented at the 31st Annual Meeting of the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE), Zaragoza (Spain), September 6–9, 1992     

Novel splice site mutation in the growth hormone receptor gene in Turkish patients with Laron-type dwarfism

Growth hormone (GH) is involved in growth, and fat and carbohydrate metabolism. Interaction of GH with the GH receptor (GHR) is necessary for systemic and local production of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) which mediates GH actions. Mutations in the GHR cause severe postnatal growth failure; the disorder is an autosomal recessive genetic disease resulting in GH insensitivity, called Laron syndrome. It is characterized by dwarfism with elevated serum GH and low levels of IGF-I. We analyzed the GHR gene for mutations and polymorphisms in eight patients with Laron-type dwarfism from six families. We found three missense mutations (S40L, V125A, I526L), one nonsense mutation (W157X), and one splice site mutation in the extracellular domain of GHR. Furthermore, G168G and exon 3 deletion polymorphisms were detected in patients with Laron syndrome. The splice site mutation, which is a novel mutation, was located at the donor splice site of exon 2/ intron 2 within GHR. Although this mutation changed the highly conserved donor splice site consensus sequence GT to GGT by insertion of a G residue, the intron splicing between exon 2 and exon 3 was detected in the patient. These results imply that the splicing occurs arthe GT site in intron 2, leaving the extra inserted G residue at the end of exon 2, thus changing the open reading frame of GHR resulting in a premature termination codon in exon 3.     

Prenatal exclusion of severe factor VII deficiency

A nonconsanguineous asymptomatic couple, were identified as carriers of factor VII (FVII) deficiency when two of their newborn children died of massive intracranial hemorrhage secondary to severe congenital FVII deficiency. Complete sequence analysis of the factor VII (F7) gene in this couple indicated that the mother was heterozygous for an A to G transition at position -2 of the exon 5 acceptor splice site, and the father was heterozygous for a G to T transversion at position +1 of the exon 6 donor splice site. This information allowed us to exclude a compound heterozygous deficiency state in a subsequent pregnancy using PCR/direct sequencing of the F7 gene using DNA obtained from chorionic villi at 10 weeks' gestation. Our experience with the family reported here further supports the conclusion that mutation-specific detection is reliable in the prenatal exclusion of severe bleeding disorders.     

A Japanese family with autosomal dominant growth hormone deficiency

We report a 1-year-old Japanese boy and his father with isolated growth hormone deficiency II. In both cases, a G → A transition of the first base of the donor splice site of intron 3 of the growth hormone-1 gene was detected. All unaffected family members were homozygous normal. Conclusion This is the fourth reported case of autosomal isolated growth hormone deficiency II with a G → A transition. The CG dinucleotide at the exon 3-intron 3 junction of the growth hormone-1 gene appears to be a hot spot for point mutations. Received: 1 July 1998 / Accepted in revised form: 16 December 1998     

Mutational analysis of the CYP1B1 gene in Pakistani primary congenital glaucoma patients: Identification of four known and a novel causative variant at the 3′ splice acceptor site of intron 2

Primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) causes blindness in early age. It has an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance, hence is more prevalent in populations with frequent consanguineous marriages that occur in the Pakistani population. Mutations in the CYP1B1 gene are commonly associated with PCG. The aim of the present study was to identify genetic mutations in the CYP1B1 gene in PCG cases belonging to 38 Pakistani families. DNA was extracted using blood samples collected from all enrolled patients, their available unaffected family members and controls. Direct sequencing of the CYP1B1 gene revealed a novel 3' splice acceptor site causative variant segregating in an autosomal recessive manner in a large consanguineous family with four PCG‐affected individuals. The novel variant was not detected in 93 ethnically matched controls. Furthermore, four already reported mutations, including p.G61E, p.R355X, p.R368H, and p.R390H were also detected in patients belonging to nine different families. All identified causative variants were evaluated by computational programs, that is, SIFT, PolyPhen‐2, and MutationTaster. Pathogenicity of the novel splice site variant identified in this study was analyzed by Human Splicing Finder and MaxEntScan. Ten out of 38 families with PCG had the disease due to CYP1B1 mutations, suggesting CYP1B1 was contributing to PCG in these Pakistani patients. Identification of this novel 3' splice acceptor site variant in intron 2 is the first report for the CYP1B1 gene contributing to genetic heterogeneity of disease.     

New growth hormone receptor exon 9 mutation causes genetic short stature

A novel form of congenital growth hormone insensitivity syndrome (GHIS), which lacks the classic phenotype associated with this condition, is described. Dominant inheritance is shown to result from a heterozygous 876-1 G to C transversion of the 3' splice acceptor site preceding exon 9 in the growth hormone receptor (GHR) gene. The result of this mutation is a severely truncated cytoplasmic domain of the GHR, which is incapable of transmitting a signal. The mutant receptor is shown to form a heterodimer with the wild-type GHR, the activity of which is inhibited in a dominant-negative manner.     

Correction of aberrant pre-mRNA splicing by antisense oligonucleotides in beta-thalassemia Egyptian patients with IVSI-110 mutation

The splicing mutation in intron 1 of beta-globin gene (IVS1-110) is the most common mutation in Egyptian thalassemics that causes aberrant splicing of pre-mRNA and deficient beta-globin chain synthesis. Antisense oligonucleotides (ASONs) are compounds that redirect pre-mRNA splicing and modify gene expression. Our aim was ex vivo correction of the aberrant splicing of beta-globin110 pre-mRNA by ASON against the 3' aberrant splice site. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 10 thalassemic patients with IVS1-110 mutation were duplicated and 1 was treated with 20 micromoL/mL morpholino ASON targeted against the 3' aberrant splice site. The level of total hemoglobin (Hb), fetal Hb, and mRNA were estimated in the duplicate samples. Five cases (50%) showed correction with ASON treatment, of which 2 cases showed the appearance of corrected mRNA band with absence of the aberrant band and 3 cases showed an increased ratio of the corrected to the aberrant mRNA band from 2:1 to 3:1, and 4:1. The total Hb showed significant increase in the 5 corrected cases. In conclusion, ASON can restore correct splicing of beta-globin pre-mRNA leading to correct gene product in cultured erythropoietic cells. These results suggest the applicability of ASON for the treatment of thalassemia.     

Six new mutations in the ornithine transcarbamylase gene detected by single-strand conformational polymorphism.

We describe six new mutations in the ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) gene found in patients with OTC deficiency. These mutations were detected by single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis of amplified genomic DNA and characterized by direct sequencing of double-stranded DNA. Three of the mutations were found in males who had neonatal onset of hyperammonemia. The mutations are a single base deletion (guanine) in exon 5 at nucleotide 403 causing a frame-shift error, a guanine to adenine substitution at the 3' end of intron 2 nucleotide 217 (-1) causing an acceptor splicing site error, and a guanine to adenine substitution at base 236 changing the code from glycine to glutamic acid at position 47 of the mature enzyme. Two different mutations were found in two males whose onset of clinical problems occurred after the neonatal period. One patient had a guanine to cytosine transversion in the sense strand of exon 3 at nucleotide 281 resulting in a substitution of threonine for arginine in position 62 of the mature OTC protein. This substitution changes the composition of the putative active site for carbamyl phosphate from Ser-Thr-Arg-Thr-Arg to Ser-Thr-Arg-Thr-Thr. The second patient has a guanine to thymine substitution at nucleotide 912 of the sense strand of exon 9, changing the code for leucine to phenylalanine in position 272 of the mature OTC protein. This changes a conserved domain of the gene likely to be the ornithine binding site from Phe-Leu-His-Cys-Leu-Pro to Phe-Leu-His-Cys-Phe-Pro.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Laron综合征家系患者生长激素受体基因突变分析

目的研究Laron综合征患者的临床特点及生长激素受体（GHR）的基因突变。方法对一家系中2例表现为身材明显落后的患儿进行研究，分别进行体格测量和GH-IGF—I轴功能测定。提取外周血白细胞基因组DNA，运用聚合酶链式反应（PCR）扩增GHR基因第2～9外显子及其两侧的侧翼序列，直接进行测序，将所测结果与正常人GHR基因序列进行对比，确定突变位点和突变类型。对突变基因均经2次测定证实。结果2例患儿自出生后身长明显落后于同龄儿童，呈现Laron综合征的独特面貌，空腹血清GH值均明显高于正常儿童。空腹血清IGF-I明显低于同年龄同性别正常儿童。血浆IGFBP-3和GHBP低于检测线。GHR基因序列测定结果显示2例患儿均存在外显子4上第65为氨基酸的纯合突变S65H，为新发现突变。结论Laron综合征患者存在典型的面貌特征，结合血GH、IGF-I、IGFBP-3和GHBP测定可以明确诊断。GHR基因外显子4上S65H突变可能是该Laron综合征患者的致病原因。     

Analysis of exonic mutations leading to exon skipping in patients with pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 alpha deficiency

The pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) complex is situated at a key position in energy metabolism and is responsible for the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl CoA. In the literature, two unrelated patients with a PDH complex deficiency and splicing out of exon 6 of the PDH E1 alpha gene have been described, although intronic/exonic boundaries on either side of exon 6 were completely normal. Analysis of exon 6 in genomic DNA of these patients revealed two exonic mutations, a silent and a missense mutation. Although not experimentally demonstrated, the authors in both publications suggested that the exonic mutations were responsible for the exon skipping. In this work, we were able to demonstrate, by performing splicing experiments, that the two exonic mutations described in the PDH E1 alpha gene lead to aberrant splicing. We observed a disruption of the predicted wild-type pre-mRNA secondary structure of exon 6 by the mutated sequences described. However, when we constructed mutations that either reverted or disrupted the wild-type predicted pre-mRNA secondary structure of exon 6, we were unable to establish a correlation between the aberrant splicing and disruption of the predicted structure. The mutagenic experiments described here and the silent mutation found in one of the patients suggest the presence of an exonic splicing enhancer in the middle region of exon 6 of the PDH E1alpha gene.     

1例肢带型肌营养不良1B型的临床和遗传学特点

本文报道1例LMNA基因新发剪接杂合突变所致的肢带型肌营养不良1B型（LGMD1B）。患儿表现为进行性加重的行走乏力,肩胛带肌和下肢近端肌肉无萎缩,四肢肌张力正常,上肢肌力4级、下肢肌力4级,Gower征（+）;CK 779 U/L;肌肉病理HE染色提示肌营养不良表现,免疫组化显示Lamin A蛋白表达无明显减少;二代基因测序显示患儿LMNA基因存在新发的c.810+2T > C剪接位点杂合突变,其父母LMNA基因该位点正常。GERP++RS软件预测该突变位点具有高度保守性;Human Splice Finder和Spliceman软件预测该突变可能为致病性突变;ExPASy预测新的剪接变体氨基酸序列变短。转录组测序提示患者肌肉的mRNA存在两种序列：一种为正常序列,占92.2%;另一种为部分4号内含子保留,占7.8%,即异常剪接变体。LGMD1B是由位于常染色体1q22的LMNA基因突变所致的常染色体显性遗传性肌病,本研究的发现扩展了LMNA基因突变谱,为LGMD1B诊断提供了帮助。     

Kinetin improves IKBKAP mRNA splicing in patients with familial dysautonomia

Familial dysautonomia (FD) is caused by an intronic splice mutation in the IKBKAP gene that leads to partial skipping of exon 20 and tissue-specific reduction in I-κ-B kinase complex-associated protein/elongation protein 1 (IKAP/ELP-1) expression. Kinetin (6-furfurylaminopurine) has been shown to improve splicing and increase WT IKBKAP mRNA and IKAP protein expression in FD cell lines and carriers. To determine whether oral kinetin treatment could alter mRNA splicing in FD subjects and was tolerable, we administered kinetin to eight FD individuals homozygous for the splice mutation. Subjects received 23.5 mg/Kg/d for 28 d. An increase in WT IKBKAP mRNA expression in leukocytes was noted after 8 d in six of eight individuals; after 28 d, the mean increase compared with baseline was significant (p = 0.002). We have demonstrated that kinetin is tolerable in this medically fragile population. Not only did kinetin produce the desired effect on splicing in FD patients but also that effect seems to improve with time despite lack of dose change. This is the first report of a drug that produces in vivo mRNA splicing changes in individuals with FD and supports future long-term trials to determine whether kinetin will prove therapeutic in FD patients.     

宁夏苯丙酮尿症患儿苯丙氨酸羟化酶基因外显子7突变分析

目的 探讨宁夏地区苯丙酮尿症（PKU）患儿苯丙氨酸羟化酶（PAH）基因外显子7 突变类型及频率,为该地区PKU 的基因诊断和产前诊断提供依据。方法 应用PCR 产物直接测序方法,对宁夏73 例经典型PKU 患儿（回族39 例,汉族34 例）的146 个PAH 等位基因外显子7 及其旁侧内含子区域进行序列分析。结果 共检测出6 种突变基因型,分别是R243Q（14.4%）、R241C（6.8%）、IVS7+2T → A（2.7%）、L255S（0.7%）、G247V（0.7%）和G247R（0.7%）。外显子7 突变基因总频率为26.0%（38/146）,包括错义突变和剪接位点突变两种。回族患儿R241C 等位基因突变检出率高于汉族（10% vs 3%,P<0.05）。结论 宁夏地区PKU 患儿PAH 基因外显子7 突变频率最高的是R243Q,其次为R241C;回族和汉族PKU 患儿R241C 等位基因突变率不同。     

Imerslund-Grasbeck syndrome associated with recurrent aphthous stomatitis and defective neutrophil function

Vitamin B(12) deficiency is a well-known cause of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). However, the mechanism by which this deficiency causes the stomatitis is not well understood. Imerslund-Grasbeck syndrome (IGS) causes vitamin B(12) deficiency and proteinuria due to a defect in the vitamin B(12) receptor. We sought to determine whether the RAS observed in IGS patients is associated with neutrophil dysfunction. We report 3 infants with vitamin B(12) deficiency due to IGS, who presented with borderline or normal hemoglobin concentrations, RAS, and a neutrophil function defect. All 3 patients were homozygous for a splice site mutation affecting exon 4 of the AMN gene. A direct correlation was observed between low serum vitamin B12 levels and defective neutrophil function (low chemotaxis and elevated superoxide production) in the patients. Vitamin B(12) therapy led to an immediate resolution of aphthous stomatitis and full correction of neutrophil function. We demonstrated that serum vitamin B(12) deficiency is associated with a neutrophil chemotactic defect and RAS in IGS patients. We suggest that the RAS observed in these patients is due to this defect.