Genetic analysis of a large kindred exhibiting type I protein C deficiency and associated thrombosis

A previously described large Vermont kindred possessing a high incidence of venous thromboembolism with associated Type I protein C deficiency (1) has been genetically analyzed. All nine exons of the protein C gene, including both coding and non-coding regions, have been amplified from blood cell genomic DNA using the Tag DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and primers corresponding to flanking intronic regions, and the products directly sequenced. An initial mutation (C-->T) resulting in Thr298-->Met was observed in one arm of the family exhibiting a history of thrombosis and protein C deficiency and was designated protein CVERMONT IIa. However, examination of the kindred member parent (male) of this arm and members of other arms of the kindred demonstrated that the mutation entered the arm via the genetically unrelated spouse. Further analysis of the father and members of other arms of the kindred revealed a different mutation (C insertion: CAT-->CCAT), resulting in a frameshift beginning at amino acid #107 (His-->Pro) and truncation of the protein at codon #119 of the mature protein. This mutation, called protein CVERMONT IIb, is associated with protein C deficiency and thrombosis throughout the kindred.