A family with hereditary thrombocythaemia and normal genes for thrombopoietin and c-Mpl

Hereditary thrombocythaemia (HT) is an inherited autosomal dominant disorder. Recent studies reported six different mutations, four within the thrombopoietin (TPO) gene and two within c-Mpl (TPO receptor) gene in six unrelated families with HT. This study investigated the molecular basis of hereditary thrombocythaemia in an Israeli-Jewish family. We screened the genes for TPO and c-Mpl by amplification and sequencing of all the corresponding exons including exon/intron boundaries and promoters. In addition, plasma levels of TPO and erythropoietin (EPO) were measured. No abnormality in the TPO/c-Mpl genes has been identified in affected HT family members. Plasma TPO and EPO levels were found to be normal/low or normal respectively in the individuals affected. In conclusion, lack of a molecular lesion within either TPO or cMpl genes indicate that HT may be caused by factors other than TPO-cMpl axis in this family.