Analysis of genetic variations of lamin A/C gene (LMNA) by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography.

The human LMNA gene, when mutated, has been shown to cause at least 7 human diseases: dilated cardiomyopathy, Emery Dreifuss muscular dystrophy, limb girdle muscular dystrophy, familial partial lipodystrophy, Charcot Marie tooth disease type II, mandibuloacral dysplasia, and Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria (OMIM #176670). This article describes a high-throughput method for screening the human lamin A/C (LMNA) gene for genetic mutations and sequence variation using denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC). In the present study, 76 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy were screened for mutations using DHPLC and sequence analysis. Abnormal elution profiles were identified and sequenced on an ABI 377 automatic sequencer. Heterozygous LMNA mutations were detected in 8% of the affected patients. In addition, a number of intronic and exonic single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified. LMNA mutations are clinically relevant in at least 6 human diseases. This study provides a protocol for high-throughput LMNA analysis applicable both in the research and in the clinical diagnostic setting.

Natural history of dilated cardiomyopathy due to lamin A/C gene mutations.

OBJECTIVES: We examined the prevalence, genotype-phenotype correlation, and natural history of lamin A/C gene (LMNA) mutations in subjects with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). BACKGROUND: Mutations in LMNA have been found in patients with DCM with familial conduction defects and muscular dystrophy, but the clinical spectrum, prognosis, and clinical relevance of laminopathies in DCM are unknown. BACKGROUND: A cohort of 49 nuclear families, 40 with familial DCM and 9 with sporadic DCM (269 subjects, 105 affected), was screened for mutations in LMNA using denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography and sequence analysis. Bivariate analysis of clinical predictors of LMNA mutation carrier status and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were performed. RESULTS: Mutations in LMNA were detected in four families (8%), three with familial (R89L, 959delT, R377H) and one with sporadic DCM (S573L). There was significant phenotypic variability, but the presence of skeletal muscle involvement (p < 0.001), supraventricular arrhythmia (p = 0.003), conduction defects (p = 0.01), and "mildly" DCM (p = 0.006) were predictors of LMNA mutations. The LMNA mutation carriers had a significantly poorer cumulative survival compared with non-carrier DCM patients: event-free survival at the age of 45 years was 31% versus 75% in non-carriers. CONCLUSIONS: Mutations in LMNA cause a severe and progressive DCM in a relevant proportion of patients. Mutation screening should be considered in patients with DCM, in particular when clinical predictors of LMNA mutation are present, regardless of family history.