Int J Med Sci 2017; 14(11):1143-1153. doi:10.7150/ijms.21353 This issue Cite

Research Paper

MEF2C loss-of-function mutation contributes to congenital heart defects

Xiao-Hui Qiao1*, Fei Wang2*, Xian-Ling Zhang3*, Ri-Tai Huang4, Song Xue4, Juan Wang5, Xing-Biao Qiu6, Xing-Yuan Liu7✉, Yi-Qing Yang6,8,9✉

1. Department of Pediatric Internal Medicine, Ningbo Women & Children's Hospital, 339 Liuding Street, Ningbo 315012, China;
2. Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 389 Xincun Road, Shanghai 200065, China;
3. Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 301 Middle Yanchang Road, Shanghai 200072, China;
4. Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1630 Dongfang Road, Shanghai 200127, China;
5. Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 150 Jimo Road, Shanghai 200120, China;
6. Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 241 West Huaihai Road, Shanghai 200030, China;
7. Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 389 Xincun Road, Shanghai 200065, China;
8. Department of Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 241 West Huaihai Road, Shanghai 200030, China;
9. Department of Central Laboratory, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 241 West Huaihai Road, Shanghai 200030, China.
* These three authors contributed equally to this work.

Citation:
Qiao XH, Wang F, Zhang XL, Huang RT, Xue S, Wang J, Qiu XB, Liu XY, Yang YQ. MEF2C loss-of-function mutation contributes to congenital heart defects. Int J Med Sci 2017; 14(11):1143-1153. doi:10.7150/ijms.21353. https://www.medsci.org/v14p1143.htm
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Abstract

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common type of developmental abnormality in humans, and is a leading cause for substantially increased morbidity and mortality in affected individuals. Increasing studies demonstrates a pivotal role of genetic defects in the pathogenesis of CHD, and presently mutations in more than 60 genes have been associated with CHD. Nevertheless, CHD is of pronounced genetic heterogeneity, and the genetic basis underpinning CHD in a large proportion of patients remains unclear. In the present study, the whole coding exons and splicing donors/acceptors of the MEF2C gene, which codes for a transcription factor essential for normal cardiovascular development, were sequenced in 200 unrelated patients affected with CHD, and a novel heterozygous missense mutation, p.L38P, was identified in an index patient with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and ventricular septal defect (VSD). Genetic scan of the mutation carrier's family members available showed that the mutation was present in all affected family members but absent in unaffected family members. Analysis of the proband's pedigree revealed that the mutation co-segregated with PDA, which was transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait with complete penetrance. The mutation changed the amino acid that was completely conserved evolutionarily, and did not exist in 300 unrelated, ethnically-matched healthy individuals used as controls. Functional deciphers by using a dual-luciferase reporter assay system unveiled that the mutant MEF2C protein had a significantly reduced transcriptional activity. Furthermore, the mutation significantly diminished the synergistic activation between MEF2C and GATA4, another cardiac core transcription factor that has been causally linked to CHD. In conclusion, this is the first report on the association of a MEF2C loss-of-function mutation with an increased vulnerability to CHD in humans, which provides novel insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying CHD, implying potential implications for early diagnosis and timely prophylaxis of CHD.

Keywords: Congenital heart disease, Genetics, Transcription factor, MEF2C, Reporter gene assay


Citation styles

APA
Qiao, X.H., Wang, F., Zhang, X.L., Huang, R.T., Xue, S., Wang, J., Qiu, X.B., Liu, X.Y., Yang, Y.Q. (2017). MEF2C loss-of-function mutation contributes to congenital heart defects. International Journal of Medical Sciences, 14(11), 1143-1153. https://doi.org/10.7150/ijms.21353.

ACS
Qiao, X.H.; Wang, F.; Zhang, X.L.; Huang, R.T.; Xue, S.; Wang, J.; Qiu, X.B.; Liu, X.Y.; Yang, Y.Q. MEF2C loss-of-function mutation contributes to congenital heart defects. Int. J. Med. Sci. 2017, 14 (11), 1143-1153. DOI: 10.7150/ijms.21353.

NLM
Qiao XH, Wang F, Zhang XL, Huang RT, Xue S, Wang J, Qiu XB, Liu XY, Yang YQ. MEF2C loss-of-function mutation contributes to congenital heart defects. Int J Med Sci 2017; 14(11):1143-1153. doi:10.7150/ijms.21353. https://www.medsci.org/v14p1143.htm

CSE
Qiao XH, Wang F, Zhang XL, Huang RT, Xue S, Wang J, Qiu XB, Liu XY, Yang YQ. 2017. MEF2C loss-of-function mutation contributes to congenital heart defects. Int J Med Sci. 14(11):1143-1153.

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