Gout inheritance in an extended Chinese family analyzed by whole-exome sequencing: A case-report

Gout is a worldwide chronic disease generally caused by high serum levels of uric acid. Using whole exome sequencing, we aimed to explore genetic alterations in hereditary gout.

There were 9 direct descendants diagnosed with gout in total in this family. The patients concerned about the high incidence and inheritance of gout.

The youngest propositus was diagnosed as gout in our hospital. Diagnoses of other patients in this family were made on the foundation of history and clinical tests.

Six direct descendants and 3 healthy spouses in 1 family were recruited in our study. Whole-exome sequencing was conducted in all participants.

Whole-exome sequencing and genetic analysis revealed 2 putative rare inherited deleterious variants, which were detected only in direct descendants. Twelve gout and uric acid (UC)-related nucleotide sequence variants previously reported by GWAS were detected among all subjects.

In the case of this family, the GWAS identified gout and UC-related nucleotide sequence variants may increase the risk of developing gout, but penetrance was not complete. The rare sequence variants in low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) and oncoprotein induced transcript 3 (OIT3) may have contributed to inheritance of gout within the 5 generations of family members in this study.