Single Amino Acid Deletion in MYH11 Segregating in a Family with TAAD

 Single Amino Acid Deletion in MYH11 Segregating in a Family with TAAD

Background Seven genes have been identified as causative in the development of thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) and dissections (TAAD). In this study, we identify a single amino acid deletion in MYH11 gene which segregates with disease in a large TAAD family. Methods We identified five members in one family who had a history of TAA or TAAD. Blood samples from fifteen members of this family were collected for whole exome sequencing (WES) analysis and mutation analysis. Thirteen members of this family underwent echocardiography and cardiac pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurement. Results WES analysis revealed a mutation of myosin heavy chain 11 (MYH11) – a three base-pair deletion of leucine at position 1264 - that segregated with the disease phenotype in this family. PWV was not correlated with mutation or disease status. Conclusion Deletion of leucine at position 1264 in MYH11 appears to play an important role in the development of familial TAA and TAAD.