Characterization of a large genomic deletion in four Irish families with C7 deficiency

Inherited deficiency of the seventh complement component (C7) is associated with increased susceptibility to Neisseria meningitidis infections. The disease is rare in most Western countries. Here we report new investigations of a large, but incompletely characterized genomic deletion of exons 8 and 9 [c.739-?_1093+?del], previously identified in three unrelated Irish families with C7 deficiency. We have analysed DNA from one individual, who is homozygous for the deletion, by PCR using primers progressively proximal to the deleted exons. Thus we were able to map the deletion boundaries. Amplification across the breakpoint and sequencing revealed an indel mutation that included a 6.4kb deletion together with an insertion of a novel 8bp sequence [c.739+1262_1270-2387delinsGCAGGCCA]. We demonstrated the same defect in the C7 deficient patients from each family and developed a duplex PCR method to enable the detection of alleles containing the deletion in heterozygotes. A member of a fourth family was found to be homozygous for the deletion defect. Thus, the deletion defect may be a more commonly distributed cause of C7 deficiency in Ireland.