A novel heterozygous deletion-insertion mutation (2695-2712 del/GTTTGT ins) in exon 18 of the filamin C gene causes filaminopathy in a large Chinese family

Neuromuscul Disord. 2010 Jun;20(6):390-6. doi: 10.1016/j.nmd.2010.03.009. Epub 2010 Apr 22.

Abstract

Filaminopathy represents a rare subgroup of myofibrillar myopathies caused by mutation in filamin C gene. We present a Chinese family with filaminopathy, characterized by onset at the age of 35-40years with progressive muscle weakness in all limbs. Mild cardiac symptoms and chronic diarrhea were present in a few patients. Muscle biopsy revealed numerous spheroid bodies and amorphous deposits in the fibers, which were positive for desmin, dysferlin, dystrophin and ubiquitin, but negative for alpha-actinin and alpha-synuclein. Ultrastructural analysis revealed inclusions composed of disorganized thin filaments and interspersed electron-dense granules, accumulating in spheroid or cytoplasmic structures. A novel complex mutation of 18-nucleotide deletion and 6-nucleotide insertion was identified in exon 18 of the filamin C gene, resulting in an in-frame 6 amino acid deletion (Lys899-Val904) and a 2 amino acid insertion (Val 899-Cys900) in the seventh Ig-like repeat of filamin C. Our findings expand the genetic spectrum and geographic distribution of filaminopathy.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Contractile Proteins / genetics*
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Exons / genetics
  • Family
  • Female
  • Filamins
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Microfilament Proteins / genetics*
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Molecular
  • Muscle Proteins / genetics
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / ultrastructure
  • Muscular Diseases / genetics*
  • Muscular Diseases / pathology*
  • Myofibrils / pathology*
  • Pedigree
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sequence Deletion / genetics
  • Sequence Deletion / physiology*

Substances

  • Contractile Proteins
  • Filamins
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Muscle Proteins