[Functional characterization of two novel splicing mutations in glucokinase gene in monogenic diabetes MODY2]

Two novel mutations in glucokinase (GCK) gene-G to C substitution at -1 position of intron 7 acceptor splice site (c. 864-1G>C) and synonymous substitution c. 666C>G (GTC>GTG, p.V222V) in exon 6--were identified in patients with monogenic diabetes MODY2 (Maturity Onset Diabetes of Young). GCK minigenes with these mutations were constructed. Analysis of splicing products upon transfection of minigenes into human embryonic cell line HEK293 has shown that each of these nucleotide substitutions impair normal splicing. Mutation c.864-1G>C blocks the usage of normal acceptor site which activates cryptic acceptor splice sites within intron 7 and generates aberrant RNAs containing the portions ofintron 7. Synonymous substitution c.666C>G creates novel donor splice site in exon 6 that leads to formation of defective GCK mRNA with deletion of 16 nucleotides of exon 6. Analysis of in vitro splicing of minigenes confirms the inactivating action of novel mutations on glucokinase expression.