Novel point mutation in a leucine-rich repeat of the GPIbalpha chain of the platelet von Willebrand factor receptor, GPIb/IX/V, resulting in an inherited dominant form of Bernard-Soulier syndrome affecting two unrelated families: the N41H variant

Haematologica. 2008 Nov;93(11):1743-7. doi: 10.3324/haematol.12830. Epub 2008 Sep 24.

Abstract

In Italy, a significant proportion of patients with autosomal dominant inheritance of macrothrombocytopenia have been recognized as having heterozygous Bernard-Soulier syndrome carrying the Bolzano-type defect. This condition prompted a systematic review of our out-patients with chronic isolated macrothrombocytopenia. We recognized that the affected members of two unrelated families represented a new variant of heterozygous Bernard-Soulier Syndrome with autosomal dominant inheritance. Sequencing analysis of the GPIbalpha gene revealed a novel heterozygous mutation, A169C, resulting in an N41H substitution in the protein. This aminoacid belongs to the first leucine-rich repeat of the chain. The molecular modeling suggests that the replacement of the N41 with a histidine (N41H) drastically disturbs the structure of the first portion of GPIbalpha N-terminal, directly involved in von Willebrand factor binding. As a consequence, platelet aggregation to 1.2 mg/mL of ristocetin is slightly impaired and flow cytometry reveals a reduced binding of monoclonals directed against N-terminal epitopes of the GPIbalpha.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Base Sequence
  • Bernard-Soulier Syndrome / blood
  • Bernard-Soulier Syndrome / genetics*
  • Blood Platelets / pathology
  • Blood Platelets / physiology
  • Consensus Sequence
  • Conserved Sequence
  • Family
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Genetic Variation
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics*
  • Pedigree
  • Platelet Glycoprotein GPIb-IX Complex
  • Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics*
  • Point Mutation*

Substances

  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Platelet Glycoprotein GPIb-IX Complex
  • Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins
  • adhesion receptor
  • von Willebrand factor receptor