Clinical profile and molecular characterization of Galactosemia in Brazil: identification of seven novel mutations. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Garcia, Daniel; Camelo, José; Molfetta, Greice; Turcato, Marlene; Souza, Carolina; Porta, Gilda; Steiner, Carlos; Silva, Wilson
• Is Part Of: BMC medical genetics. Volume 17:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 8
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: GALT -- Inborn error of galactose metabolism -- Mutation screening; Medical genetics -- Periodicals; 616.04205
• DOI: 10.1186/s12881-016-0300-8
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-2350

Abstract

Abstract Background Classical Galactosemia (CG) is an inborn error of galactose metabolism caused by the deficiency of the galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase enzyme. It is transmitted as an autosomal recessive disease and is typically characterized by neonatal galactose intolerance, with complications ranging from neonatal jaundice and liver failure to late complications, such as motor and reproductive dysfunctions. Galactosemia is also heterogeneous from a molecular standpoint, with hundreds of different mutations described in theGALT gene, some of them specific to certain populations, reflecting consequence of founder effect. Methods This study reviews the main clinical findings and depicts the spectrum of mutations identified in 19 patients with CG, six with Duarte Galactosemia and one with type 2 Galactosemia in Brazil. Some individuals were diagnosed through expanded newborn screening test, which is not available routinely to all newborns. Results The main classical Galactosemia mutations reported to date were identified in this study, as well as the Duarte variant and seven novel mutations - c.2 T > C (p.M1T), c.97C > A (p.R33S), c.217C > T (p.P73S), c.328 + 1G > A (IVS3 + 1G > A), c.377 + 4A > C (IVS4 + 4A > C), c.287_289delACA (p.N97del) and c.506A > C (p.Q169P). This was expected, given the high miscegenation of the Brazilian population. Conclusions This study expands the mutation spectrum inGALT gene and reinforces the importance of early diagnosis and introduction of dietary treatment, what is possible with the introduction of Galactosemia in neonatal screening programs.