Partial deficiency of emerin caused by a splice site mutation in EMD

Intern Med. 2014;53(14):1563-8. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.53.8922. Epub 2014 Jul 15.

Abstract

Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD) is caused by mutations in the EMD gene on the X chromosome, which codes for emerin, an inner nuclear membrane protein. Monoclonal antibodies against the N-terminus of emerin protein are used to screen for emerin deficiency in clinical practice. However, these tests may not accurately reflect the disease in some cases. We herein describe the identification of a splice site mutation in the EMD gene in a Japanese patient who suffered from complete atrioventricular conduction block, mild muscle weakness and joint contracture, and a persistently elevated serum creatine kinase level. We used multiple antibodies to confirm the presence of a novel truncating mutation in emerin without the transmembrane region and C-terminus in the skeletal muscle.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Chromosomes, Human, X / genetics
  • DNA / genetics*
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / deficiency*
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Muscle, Skeletal / diagnostic imaging
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Emery-Dreifuss / diagnosis
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Emery-Dreifuss / genetics*
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Emery-Dreifuss / metabolism
  • Mutation*
  • Nuclear Proteins / deficiency*
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Thymopoietins
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Membrane Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Thymopoietins
  • emerin
  • DNA