Here, we report a novel truncating mutation in the ubiquitin-specific peptidase gene (USP53) causing low-γ-GT (GGT) cholestasis. Genetic testing was carried out, including clinical exome sequencing for the proband and Sanger sequencing for the proband and his parents. The proband harbored a novel c.1017_1057del (p.(Cys339TrpfsTer7)) mutation in the ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase (UCH) domain of USP53; we describe the clinical and laboratory features of the patient with a rare type of low-GGT cholestasis caused by this variant. The clinical presentation was found to be similar to that of phenotypes described in previous studies. However, there was an unusual presence of liver hemangiomas observed in our patient. Thus, our report reinforces the link between USP53 mutations and cholestasis. With this report, we confirm USP53 as the gene for low-GGT cholestasis and describe liver hemangiomas as a possible additional symptom of the phenotype spectrum. The inclusion of USP53 in the OMIM database and liver gene panels can further increase the effectiveness of molecular genetic studies.
Keywords: USP53; additional clinical signs; low-GGT cholestasis; novel mutation.