Wilson's Disease Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Wilson's Disease, including details on treatment, causes, symptoms, medication.

Twenty-four novel mutations in Wilson disease patients of predominantly italian origin.

Lepori MB, Lovicu M, Dessi V, Zappu A, Incollu S, Zancan L, Giacchino R, Iorio R, Vajro P, Maggiore G, Marcellini M, Barbera C, Pellecchia MT, Simonetti R, Kostic V, Farci AM, Solinas A, De Virgiliis S, Cao A, Loudianos G

Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Biotecnologie, USC, Cagliari, Italy.

Herein we report the results of mutation analysis of the ATP7B gene in a group of 134 Wilson disease (WD) families (268 chromosomes) prevalently of Italian origin. Using the SSCP and sequencing methods we identified 71 disease-causing mutations. Twenty-four were novel, while 19 more mutations already described, were identified in new populations in this study. A known mutation G591D showed a regional distribution, since it was only detected in 38.5% of the analyzed chromosomes in WD patients originating from Apulia, a region of South Italy. Detection of new mutations in the ATP7B gene increases our capability of molecular analysis that is essential for early diagnosis and treatment of WD.

Published 22 October 2007 in Genet Test, 11(3): 328-32.
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