Mutations of the Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein (WASP): hotspots, effect on transcription, and translation and phenotype/genotype correlation

Blood. 2004 Dec 15;104(13):4010-9. doi: 10.1182/blood-2003-05-1592. Epub 2004 Jul 29.

Abstract

The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is an X-linked recessive immune deficiency disorder characterized by thrombocytopenia, small platelet size, eczema, recurrent infections, and increased risk of autoimmune disorders and malignancies. X-linked thrombocytopenia (XLT) is an allelic variant of WAS which presents with a milder phenotype, generally limited to thrombocytopenia. WAS and XLT are caused by mutations of the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) gene which encodes a 502-amino acid protein, named WASP. WASP is thought to play a role in actin cytoskeleton organization and cell signaling. Here, we report the identification of 141 unique mutations, 71 not previously reported, from 227 WAS/XLT families with a total of 262 affected members. When possible we studied the effects of these mutations on transcription, RNA splicing, and protein expression. By analyzing a large number of patients with WAS/XLT at the molecular level we identified 5 mutational hotspots in the WASP gene and have been able to establish a strong association between genotype and phenotype.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Mutation*
  • Phenotype
  • Protein Biosynthesis / genetics*
  • Proteins / genetics*
  • Sequence Deletion
  • Transcription, Genetic / genetics*
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome / genetics*
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein

Substances

  • Proteins
  • WAS protein, human
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein