FLNC and MYLK2 gene mutations in a Chinese family with different phenotypes of cardiomyopathy

Background Mutations in the sarcomeric protein filamin C (FLNC) gene have been linked to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), in which they increase the risk of ventricular arrhythmia and sudden death. In this study, we identified a novel missense mutation of FLNC in a Chinese family with HCM and interestingly a second novel truncating mutation of MYLK2 in one family member with different phenotype. Methods We performed whole-exome sequencing in a Chinese family with HCM of unknown cause. To validate the function of a novel mutation of FLNC, we introduced the mutant and wild-type gene into AC16 cells (human cardiomyocytes), and used western blotting to analyze the expression of FLNC in subcellular fractions, and confocal microscope to observe the subcellular distribution of the protein. Results We identified a novel missense single nucleotide variant (FLNC c.G5935A [p.A1979T]) in the family, which segregates with the disease. FLNC expression levels were equivalent in both wild type and p.A1979T cardiomyocytes. However, expression of the mutant protein resulted in cytoplasmic protein aggregations, in contrast to wild type FLNC, which was distributed in the cytoplasm and did not form aggregates. Unexpectely, a second truncating mutation, NM_033118:exon8:c.G1138T:p.E380X of the MYLK2 gene, was identified in the mother of the proband with dilated cardiomyopathy, but absent in other subjects. Conclusion We identified the FLNC A1979T mutation as a novel pathogenic variant associated with HCM in a Chinese family, as well as a second causal mutation in a family member with a distinct phenotype. The possibility of more than one causal mutations in cardiomyopathy warrants clinical attention, especially for patients with atypical clinical features.