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Investigating the Pathogenesis of MYH7 Mutation Gly823Glu in Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy using a Mouse Model
Published on: August 8, 2022
Progress in the molecular genetics of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a mini-review
Tao Tian1, Yaxin Liu, Xianliang Zhou
1Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
Insights
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an inherited heart condition caused by genetic mutations. Research is advancing our understanding of its molecular genetics, pathogenesis, and unique features in elderly patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Genetics
- Molecular Cardiology
- Geriatric Cardiology
Background:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an inherited cardiovascular disease characterized by unexplained left ventricular hypertrophy.
- Its penetrance increases with age, highlighting the importance of understanding age-related factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in the molecular genetics of HCM.
- To discuss the distinct characteristics observed in elderly patients with HCM.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of studies focusing on HCM-related genes and their genotype-phenotype correlations.
- Investigation into the potential pathogenesis of HCM.
- Examination of the clinical features specific to elderly HCM patients.
Main Results:
- HCM is linked to mutations in genes encoding sarcomere, Z-disc, and Ca2+-handling proteins.
- Phenotype complexity arises from genetic modifiers and epigenetic factors.
- Late-onset HCM shows specific gene distributions, with MYBPC3 mutations being common and sarcomere gene screens often negative in older individuals.
Conclusions:
- Significant progress has been made in identifying HCM genetic causes and pathogenesis.
- Identifying the genetic basis for 50% of HCM cases without identified mutations remains a challenge.
- Further research using advanced genetic technologies and elucidating mutation effects on cardiocyte function is needed.
Background:
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), which is characterized by unexplained and asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy in the absence of other cardiac or systemic diseases, is an inherited cardiovascular disease and presents rising penetrance with aging.
Objective:
The purpose of this review is to offer an outline of recent progress in the molecular genetics of HCM and to discuss characteristics of elderly HCM patients.
Methods:
Studies were analyzed which included disease genes related to HCM, relationships between genotype and phenotype, potential pathogenesis of HCM, and the features of elderly patients with HCM.
Results:
HCM is caused by mutations in genes encoding myofilament proteins of the sarcomere, Z-disc proteins, Ca2+ -handling proteins, and other proteins related to the sarcomere. Phenotypic manifestations of HCM are not just determined by these genes; modifying genes and epigenetic factors also contribute to the complexity of the HCM phenotype. The potential pathogenesis of HCM involves dominant negative function, an imbalance of myocardial energetic metabolism, and haploinsufficiency. Late-onset HCM presents its own features in the distribution of causal genes. Mutations in MYBPC3 may be the most common cause of delayed expression of HCM, and the sarcomere gene screen is most likely to be negative in elderly HCM patients.
Conclusions:
Despite progress in the identification of genetic causes and pathogenesis of HCM, there are still some questions that need to be better understood. It remains a great challenge to identify the cause of 50% of HCM cases in patients without an identified mutation. The application of a new genetic study technology may completely uncover the genetic background of these cases. In addition, the influences of causal mutations on the function and signaling of cardiocytes are expected to be elucidated further.
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