The purpose of this research was to determine the phenotypic spectrum associated with phospholamban gene (PLN) mutations.
Background
Inheritance contributes to the development of dilated cardiomyopathy. Mutations in the gene encoding PLN have been associated with dilated cardiomyopathy characterized by early onset and the presence of lethal ventricular arrhythmias.
Methods
We screened a cohort of 260 unrelated dilated cardiomyopathy patients from a tertiary care referral center for mutations in the PLN gene.
Results
Family history of cardiomyopathy was present in approximately one-half the individuals in this cohort. We identified 1 family with a deletion of arginine 14 in the PLN. Interestingly, unlike other individuals reported with the identical PLN mutation, these individuals were not diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy until their seventh decade when they were only mildly symptomatic with congestive heart failure.
Conclusions
The identical PLN mutation can be associated with both mild and severe forms of dilated cardiomyopathy. Additionally, PLN mutations should be considered in late onset cardiomyopathy. (Genetics of Cardiovascular and Neuromuscular Disease; http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00138931?order=1; NCT00138931)
Abbreviations and Acronyms
DCM
dilated cardiomyopathy
LV
left ventricle/ventricular
PLN
phospholamban gene
PLN R14del
deletion of R14 in phospholamban
PKA
protein kinase A
SERCA2a
sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 2a
Cited by (0)
Supported by the Heart Research Foundation, NIH, and the Burroughs Wellcome Foundation. Ms. DeWitt and Ms. MacLeod contributed equally to this report.