Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome/X-linked thrombocytopenia: WASP gene mutations, protein expression, and phenotype

Q Zhu, C Watanabe, T Liu… - Blood, The Journal …, 1997 - ashpublications.org
Q Zhu, C Watanabe, T Liu, D Hollenbaugh, RM Blaese, SB Kanner, A Aruffo, HD Ochs
Blood, The Journal of the American Society of Hematology, 1997ashpublications.org
Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) and X-linked thrombocytopenia (XLT), caused by mutations
of the WAS protein (WASP) gene, represent different phenotypes of the same disease. To
demonstrate a phenotype/genotype correlation, we determined WASP gene mutations in 48
unrelated WAS families. Mutations included missense (20 families) and nonsense (eight)
mutations located mostly in exons 1 to 4, and splice-site mutations (seven) and deletions
and insertions (13) located preferentially in exons 7 to 11. Both genomic DNA and cDNA …
Abstract
Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) and X-linked thrombocytopenia (XLT), caused by mutations of the WAS protein (WASP) gene, represent different phenotypes of the same disease. To demonstrate a phenotype/genotype correlation, we determined WASP gene mutations in 48 unrelated WAS families. Mutations included missense (20 families) and nonsense (eight) mutations located mostly in exons 1 to 4, and splice-site mutations (seven) and deletions and insertions (13) located preferentially in exons 7 to 11. Both genomic DNA and cDNA were sequenced and WASP expression was measured in cell lysates using peptide-specific rabbit anti-WASP antibodies. WASP was expressed in hematopoietic cell lines including bone marrow–derived CD34+ cells. Missense mutations located in exons 1 to 3 caused mild disease in all but one family and permitted WASP expression, although frequently at decreased concentration. Missense mutations affecting exon 4 were associated with classic WAS and, with one exception, barely detectable WASP. Nonsense mutations caused classic WAS and lack of protein. Insertions, deletions, and splice-site mutations resulted in classic WAS and absent, unstable, truncated, or multiply spliced protein. Using affinity precipitation, WASP was found to bind to Src SH3-containing proteins Fyn, Lck, PLC-γ, and Grb2, and mutated WASP, if expressed, was able to bind to Fyn-glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion protein. We conclude that missense mutations affecting the PH domain (exons 1 to 3) of WASP inhibit less important functions of the protein and result in a mild phenotype, and that missense mutations affecting exon 4 and complex mutations affecting the 3′ portion of WASP interfere with crucial functions of the protein and cause classic WAS.
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