A novel mutation of GATA4 in a familial atrial septal defect.
BACKGROUND
Previous studies have identified that mutations in a few genes, including T-BOX5, NKX2-5, EVC and GATA4, are associated with atrial septal defect (ASD).


METHODS
A family of three generations with 4 members who were affected with ASD was investigated. To exclude the presence of any sub-microscopic chromosomal imbalance, high-resolution 1M array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) was performed. SNaPShot was used to certify the specificity of the finding mutation in the other family members. The coding region of GATA4 and NKX2-5 genes was screened by sequencing in another 30 cases including 10 cases of ventricular septal defect (VSD), 10 cases of atrial septal defect (ASD), 8 cases of VSD combined with ASD and 2 cases of atrioventricular septal defects (AVSD).


RESULTS
No pathogenic copy number variant was detected by aCGH in the four affected family members with ASD. A novel non-synonymous variant, c.839C>T (T280M) in GATA4, was identified and segregated with all the ASD patients within this Chinese family. Such mutation was absent in other family members or present among sporadic CHD patients. In addition, we identified a non-synonymous variant in the NKX2-5 gene (P257A) associated with one congenital heart disease patient with VSD. Both mutations were not identified among healthy controls.


CONCLUSIONS
T280M mutation of GATA4 is suggested to be associated with ASD in this Chinese family.
Chen
Ying
Y
Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Suzhou Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province 215002, PR China.
Mao
Jun
J
Sun
Ying
Y
Zhang
Qiang
Q
Cheng
Hong-Bo
HB
Yan
Wen-Hua
WH
Choy
Kwong Wai
KW
Li
Hong
H
D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D055028:Comparative Genomic Hybridization; D005190:Family; D050991:GATA4 Transcription Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000235:genetics*; D006345:Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / Q000235:genetics; D000072576:Homeobox Protein Nkx-2.5; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics
D050991:GATA4 Transcription Factor; D000072576:Homeobox Protein Nkx-2.5; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C095552:NKX2-5 protein, human; D014157:Transcription Factors