An FBN1 pseudoexon mutation in a patient with Marfan syndrome: confirmation of cryptic mutations leading to disease

J Hum Genet. 2008;53(11-12):1007-1011. doi: 10.1007/s10038-008-0334-7. Epub 2008 Sep 17.

Abstract

Marfan syndrome (MFS) results from heterozygous mutations in FBN1. However, genetic analyses of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from approximately 10-30% of MFS patients who meet diagnostic criteria do not reveal an identifiable FBN1 mutation. In a patient who met the diagnostic criteria for MFS, bidirectional DNA sequencing of exons and intron-exon boundaries of FBN1 failed to reveal a mutation. Assessment of the FBN1 message in dermal fibroblasts from the patient revealed insertion of a pseudoexon between exons 63 and 64. Sequencing of intron 63 identified a point mutation, IVS63+373, located near the middle of intron 63 of FBN1 that created a donor splice site in intron 63, leading to inclusion of a 93-bp fragment of intronic sequence in the FBN1 message. Identification of a novel pseudoexon mutation in FBN1, in association with a clinical diagnosis of MFS, confirms that cryptic mutations that are missed by the current DNA-based diagnostic methods have a causative role.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Base Sequence
  • Child
  • DNA Mutational Analysis / methods
  • Exons / genetics*
  • Female
  • Fibrillin-1
  • Fibrillins
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Humans
  • Introns / genetics
  • Male
  • Marfan Syndrome / genetics*
  • Microfilament Proteins / genetics*
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation / genetics*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • FBN1 protein, human
  • Fibrillin-1
  • Fibrillins
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger