1. Predicting a clinical/biochemical phenotype for PKU/MHP patients with PAH gene mutations.
- Author
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Kasnauskiene J, Cimbalistiene L, and Kucinskas V
- Subjects
- Alleles, Chromosomes, Human genetics, Chromosomes, Human metabolism, DNA Mutational Analysis methods, Female, Humans, Lithuania, Male, Phenylalanine Hydroxylase metabolism, Phenylketonurias enzymology, Predictive Value of Tests, Quantitative Trait Loci genetics, Exons genetics, Models, Genetic, Phenotype, Phenylalanine Hydroxylase genetics, Phenylketonurias genetics
- Abstract
Phenylketonuria (PKU) and mild hyperphenylalaninemia (MHP) are allelic disorders caused by mutations in the gene encoding phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH). In this study, a total of 218 independent PAH chromosomes (109 unrelated patients with PKU residing in Lithuania) were investigated. All 13 exons of the PAH gene of all PKU probands were scanned for DNA alterations by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). In the cases of a specific DGGE pattern recognised, mutations were identified by direct fluorescent automated sequencing or by restriction enzyme digestion analysis of a relevant exons. 25 different PAH gene mutations were identified in Lithuania. We estimated a connection between individual PAH locus mutations and biochemical and metabolic phenotypes in patients in whom the mutant allele acts on its own, i.e., in functionally hemizygous patients and using the assigned value (AV) method to determine the severity of both common and rare mutant alleles, as well as to check a model to predict the combined phenotypic effect of two mutant PAH alleles.
- Published
- 2008