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Updated: Sep 25, 2025

Investigating the Pathogenesis of MYH7 Mutation Gly823Glu in Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy using a Mouse Model
Published on: August 8, 2022
MYH7 variants cause complex congenital heart disease
Alyssa Ritter1,2, Jacqueline Leonard1, Christopher Gray1
1Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Insights
Genetic variants in the MYH7 gene are linked to a broader range of congenital heart disease (CHD) than previously known. This gene should be considered in families with complex CHD, especially with a history of left ventricular noncompaction or arrhythmias.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Genetics
- Molecular Cardiology
Background:
- The MYH7 gene encodes sarcomeric beta-myosin heavy chain, a known cause of hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathies.
- Heterozygous pathogenic variants in MYH7 have been associated with left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy (LVNC) and congenital heart disease (CHD), including septal defects and Ebstein anomaly.
Observation:
- This study reports on three probands with complex CHD, LVNC, and/or arrhythmias, all found to have MYH7 variants.
- These probands represented 12 affected family members, with documented histories of Ebstein anomaly (4) and LVNC (7).
Findings:
- The findings indicate a wider phenotypic spectrum of MYH7-related CHD than previously recognized.
- MYH7 variants are associated with complex CHD, LVNC, and arrhythmias, extending beyond previously described cardiomyopathies.
Implications:
- MYH7 should be considered in the genetic evaluation of families with multiple affected individuals and complex CHD, particularly when LVNC or arrhythmias are present.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the role of MYH7 in CHD pathogenesis and its complete phenotypic spectrum.
Abstract:
MYH7, encoding the myosin heavy chain sarcomeric β-myosin heavy chain, is a common cause of both hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathy. Additionally, families with left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy (LVNC) and congenital heart disease (CHD), typically septal defects or Ebstein anomaly, have been identified to have heterozygous pathogenic variants in MHY7. One previous case of single ventricle CHD with heart failure due to a MYH7 variant has been identified. Herein, we present a single center's experience of complex CHD due to MYH7 variants. Three probands with a history of CHD, LVNC, and/or arrhythmias were identified to have MYH7 variants through multigene panel testing or exome sequencing. These three patients collectively had 12 affected family members, four with a history of Ebstein anomaly and seven with a history of LVNC. These findings suggest a wider phenotypic spectrum in MYH7-related CHD than previously understood. Further investigation into the possible role of MYH7 in CHD and mechanism of disease is necessary to fully delineate the phenotypic spectrum of MYH7-related cardiac disease. MYH7 should be considered for families with multiple individuals with complex CHD in the setting of a family history of LVNC or arrhythmias.
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