X-linked glycogen storage disease IXa manifested in a female carrier due to skewed X chromosome inactivation

Background: Glycogen storage disease (GSD) is a group of inherited metabolic disorders due to enzymatic deficiency involved in glycogen breakdown. In various subtypes of GSD, GSD IXa is an X-linked recessive disorder, which only manifested in males. Here, we report a case of X-linked GSD IXa manifested in a female Chinese patient accompanying a skewed X-chromosome inactivation (XCI).

Methods: A 29-y-old Chinese female was admitted to evaluate mild hepatomegaly, which was repeatedly observed in serial abdominal ultrasonographic examinations. GSDIXa was suspected. To identify the mutation and the disease mechanism, we performed sequencing analysis of the PHKA2 gene, XCI assay and cDNA expression analysis.

Results: Sequencing analysis revealed a heterozygous mutation in the PHKA2 gene (c.3614C>T; p.P1205L) of the patient. In XCI assay, the proband showed a skewed XCI pattern cDNA expression analysis showed a preferential expression of the mutant allele in leukocytes of the patient.

Conclusions: This is a rare report of X-linked GSD IXa manifested in a female carrier with skewed XCI. Skewed XCI can play a key role in the manifestation of X-linked recessive disorders in female carriers.