Identification of a novel Wilson disease gene mutation frequent in Upper Austria: a genetic and clinical study

Wilson disease (WD), a disorder of copper metabolism is caused by mutations in the ATP7B gene, a copper transporting ATPase. In the present study we describe a novel mutation in exon 9 of the ATP7B gene. The ATP7B gene was analyzed for mutations by denaturing HPLC and direct sequencing. DNA from 100 healthy blood donors from the same geographic area was examined as control. Sixteen (7.4%) out of the 216 patients diagnosed with WD in Austria carried the newly identified R816S(c.2448G>T) point mutation in exon 9 (4 male, age: 19 (6-30) years, median (range)). One patient was homozygous for R816S(c.2448G>T). Thirteen patients were compound heterozygotes (p.H1069Q(c.3207C>A)/R816S(c.2448G>T) (N=6), P539L/R816S(c.2448G>T) (N=3), each one G710S/R816S(c.2448G>T), P767P(2299insC)/R816S(c.2448G>T), W779G/R816S(c.2448G>T), T1220M/R816S(c.2448G>T)). In two patients no second mutation was identified. Interestingly, all but three of the patients originated within a distinct geographical area in Austria. Eleven patients presented with hepatic disease, 3 patients with neurological disease and 2 were asymptomatic sisters of an index case. A liver biopsy was available in 14 patients. Three patients showed advanced liver disease with liver transplantation for acute hepatic failure in two. The remaining patients had only mild histological changes, most commonly steatosis. Chronic hepatitis was described in five patients. Kayser-Fleischer ring was present in five patients. None of the 100 healthy controls carried the mutation. We describe a novel mutation in the ATP7B gene, occurring in patients originated from a distinct geographical area in Austria associated with a variable course of the disease.