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Molecular and biochemical characterization of a novel intronic single point mutation in a Tunisian family with glycogen storage disease type III

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Abstract

Genetic deficiency of the glycogen debranching enzyme causes glycogen storage disease type III, an autosomal recessive inherited disorder. The gene encoding this enzyme is designated as AGL gene. The disease is characterized by fasting hypoglycemia, hepatomegaly, growth retardation, progressive myopathy and cardiomyopathy. In the present study, we present clinical features and molecular characterization of two consanguineous Tunisian siblings suffering from Glycogen storage disease type III. The full coding exons of the AGL gene and their corresponding exon–intron boundaries were amplified for the patients and their parents. Gene sequencing identified a novel single point mutation at the conserved polypyrimidine tract of intron 21 in a homozygous state (IVS21-8A>G). This variant cosegregated with the disease and was absent in 102 control chromosomes. In silico analysis using online resources showed a decreased score of the acceptor splice site of intron 21. RT-PCR analysis of the AGL splicing pattern revealed a 7 bp sequence insertion between exon 21 and exon 22 due to the creation of a new 3′ splice site. The predicted mutant enzyme was truncated by the loss of 637 carboxyl-terminal amino acids as a result of premature termination. This novel mutation is the first mutation identified in the region of Bizerte and the tenth AGL mutation identified in Tunisia. Screening for this mutation can improve the genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis of GSD III.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are extremely grateful to the patients and their family whose participation made this work possible. The authors confirm independence from the sponsors; the content of the article has not been influenced by the sponsors. The study was supported by the Tunisian Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Higher education and Scientific Research.

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The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Correspondence to Sonia Abdelhak.

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Ben Rhouma, F., Azzouz, H., Petit, F.M. et al. Molecular and biochemical characterization of a novel intronic single point mutation in a Tunisian family with glycogen storage disease type III. Mol Biol Rep 40, 4197–4202 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-013-2500-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-013-2500-z

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