Analysis of MEF2A mutations in a Chinese population with premature coronary artery disease

AIMS

To assess the relationship between mutations of the myocyte enhancer factor 2A (MEF2A) and premature coronary artery disease (PCAD) in a Chinese population.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The mutations in the exons 8 and 12 of the MEF2A gene were analyzed in both PCAD families and sporadic cases using direct sequencing of polymerase chain reaction products. In one PCAD family, seven members of the third generation were all diagnosed with CAD, and five of them had PCAD. All five members with PCAD displayed a mutation of the TT genotype in the site of 1353 G/T. Moreover, three of them (3/5) had a mutation of the DW genotype in the site of 1291-1293 CCG W/D. In sporadic cases, we also found that the haplotype of 1291-1293 CCG D+1305 G+1353 T was significantly associated with PCAD.

CONCLUSIONS

The mutations of MEF2A exon 12 are implicated in PCAD, suggesting a strong genetic component in the pathogenesis of PCAD in the Chinese population.

Assessment of MEF2A Mutations in Myocardial Infarction in Japanese Patients

BACKGROUND

Recently, a mutation in the human MEF2A gene was reported to be responsible for an autosomal dominant form of coronary artery disease, so the purpose of the present study was to assess the significance of MEF2A mutations in Japanese subjects with myocardial infarction (MI).

METHODS AND RESULTS

The study population consisted of 589 control subjects recruited from the Suita study and 379 subjects with MI. The promoter, all the exons, and 3'-UTR regions of MEF2A were sequenced in 190 subjects with myocardial infarction. We found 2 amino acid length polymorphisms, a 7-amino acid deletion polymorphism, and a nonsense mutation (R447X) in exon 12. The length and deletion polymorphisms did not confer susceptibility to MI. Although the nonsense mutation was detected in 1 subject with MI, and in none of the control subjects, the impact of this mutation does not appear to be great; the subject had the MI while in his 70 s, had 2 major risk factors, and no family history of ischemic heart disease.

CONCLUSION

MEF2A polymorphism does not contribute appreciably to MI in the Japanese population.