De novo mutation of keratin 9 gene in two Taiwanese patients with epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma

Epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma (EPPK) is an autosomal dominant hereditary disorder of keratinization. Recent molecular studies have shown that EPPK is caused by mutations in keratin 9 gene (K9). We report 2 unrelated sporadic cases of EPPK in Taiwanese, confirmed by histopathology and electron microscopy. A de novo mutation with a C to T transition at the first nucleotide of codon 162 in K9 was detected in both patients, but not in their parents. The mutation is expected to result in an arginine to tryptophan substitution (R162W) in the beginning region of the alpha-helical 1A domain of K9. Mutations in this region could disrupt keratin filament assembly, leading to degeneration or cytolysis of keratinocytes. Mutations of this arginine codon (R162W, R162Q) are common in pedigrees with EPPK. Our mutation analysis suggests that codon 162 in K9 gene is an important hot spot for mutation in EPPK.