Mutations in PRKCSH cause isolated autosomal dominant polycystic liver disease

Autosomal dominant polycystic liver disease (ADPLD) is a distinct clinical and genetic entity that can occur independently from autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). We previously studied two large kindreds and reported localization of a gene for ADPLD to an approximately 8-Mb region, flanked by markers D19S586/D19S583 and D19S593/D19S579, on chromosome 19p13.2-13.1. Expansion of these kindreds and identification of an additional family allowed us to define flanking markers CA267 and CA048 in an approximately 3-Mb region containing >70 candidate genes. We used a combination of denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) heteroduplex analysis and direct sequencing to screen a panel of 15 unrelated affected individuals for mutations in genes from this interval. We found sequence variations in a known gene, PRKCSH, that were not observed in control individuals, that segregated with the disease haplotype, and that were predicted to be chain-terminating mutations. In contrast to PKD1, PKD2, and PKHD1, PRKCSH encodes a previously described human protein termed "protein kinase C substrate 80K-H" or "noncatalytic beta-subunit of glucosidase II." This protein is highly conserved, is expressed in all tissues tested, and contains a leader sequence, an LDLa domain, two EF-hand domains, and a conserved C-terminal HDEL sequence. Its function may be dependent on calcium binding, and its putative actions include the regulation of N-glycosylation of proteins and signal transduction via fibroblast growth-factor receptor. In light of the focal nature of liver cysts in ADPLD, the apparent loss-of-function mutations in PRKCSH, and the two-hit mechanism operational in dominant polycystic kidney disease, ADPLD may also occur by a two-hit mechanism.