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Deficient expression of the small proteoglycan decorin in a case of severe/lethal osteogenesis imperfecta

Journal Article · · American Journal of Medical Genetics
; ; ;  [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Univ. of Pavia (Italy)
  2. Univ. of Verona (Italy)
  3. Univ. of Muenster (Germany)
In osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) the effects of mutations in type I collagen genes generally reflect their nature and localization. Unrelated individuals sharing identical mutations present, in general, similar clinical phenotypes. However, in some such cases the clinical phenotype differs. This variable clinical expression could be the result of abnormalities in other connective tissue proteins. Since decorin is a component of connective tissue, binds to type I collagen fibrils and plays a role in matrix assembly, we studied decorin production in skin fibroblasts from OI patients. Cultured fibroblasts from one patient with extremely severe osteogenesis imperfecta (classified as type II/III) who has an {alpha}1(I)gly415ser mutation were found to secrete barely detectable amounts of decorin into culture medium. Western blotting using antibodies raised against decorin confirmed the reduction of the decorin core protein and Northern blot analysis showed decorin mRNA levels below the limit of detection. Cells from a patient, with a less severe phenotype, bearing a mutation in the same position of the triple helix ({alpha}1(1)gly415) expressed decorin normally. The different clinical phenotypes could be due to the differing genetic backgrounds of the patients, so it is tempting to conclude that in our most severely affected patient, the absence of decorin aggravates the clinical phenotype. 34 refs., 4 figs., 1 tab.
OSTI ID:
441195
Journal Information:
American Journal of Medical Genetics, Journal Name: American Journal of Medical Genetics Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 63; ISSN 0148-7299; ISSN AJMGDA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English