Novel VCAN mutations and evidence for unbalanced alternative splicing in the pathogenesis of Wagner syndrome.

Abstract

Wagner syndrome (WS) is an autosomal dominant vitreoretinopathy affecting various ocular features and is caused by mutations in the canonical splice sites of the VCAN gene, which encodes the large chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan, versican. We report the identification of novel splice acceptor and donor-site mutations (c.4004-1G>C and c.9265+2T>A) in two large WS families from France and the United Kingdom. To characterize their pathogenic mechanisms we performed qRT-PCR experiments on RNA from patient-derived tissues (venous blood and skin fibroblasts). We also analyzed RNA from the original Swiss family reported by Wagner (who has the previously reported c.9265+1G>A mutation). All three mutations resulted in a quantitative increase of transcript variants lacking exons 7 and/or 8. However, the magnitude of the increase varied between tissues and mutations. We discuss altered balance of VCAN splice variants in combination with reduction in glycosaminoglycan protein modifications as possible pathogenic mechanisms.

• Authors: Barbara Kloeckener-Gruissem, John Neidhardt, István Magyar, Henri Plauchu, Jean-Christophe Zech, Laurette Morlé, Sheila M Palmer-Smith, Moira J Macdonald, Véronique Nas, Andrew E Fry, Wolfgang Berger
• Journal: European journal of human genetics : EJHG (Eur J Hum Genet) Vol. 21 Issue 3 Pg. 352-6 (Mar 2013) ISSN: 1476-5438 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 22739342 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• VCAN protein, human
• Versicans

Topics

• Alternative Splicing
• Eye Diseases (genetics)
• Female
• Fibroblasts
• Humans
• Male
• Mutation
• Pedigree
• Syndrome
• Versicans (genetics)