Abstract

The spectrum of mutations in the von Willebrand factor (VWF) gene in a Swedish type 1 von Willebrand disease (VWD) population was investigated. To gain more knowledge about the dynamics of VWD mutations, the data were analyzed from a population genetics perspective. The VWF gene was resequenced in 54 Swedish patients diagnosed with type 1 VWD. Fifty-five variable sites were located in exons, 10 in the promoter and 38 in introns. The spectrum of mutations was similar to a European study, but included 10 new candidate mutations. The synonymous sites were evenly distributed along the coding sequence, whereas nonsynonymous sites were located into three clusters. Overall, 44% of patients had no mutations or candidate mutations and no promoter haplotype was significantly associated with disease. In 11 patients (20%), more than one mutation or candidate mutation was detected. The allelic identity for the putative disease-causing mutations was approximately 0.1, compatible with an overall disease frequency of 1%. VWF sequences for exon 28 from eight monkey species were compared with the variable positions found in our patients. Positions classified as mutations were overrepresented among sites that were fixed in all eight monkey species. No general increase of the mutation rate was found for the pseudogene region.

Keywords

DNA sequencing; mutation; type 1 VWD; VWF

Published in

Annals of Human Genetics
2011, Volume: 75, pages: 447-455
Publisher: WILEY-BLACKWELL

SLU Authors

• Johansson, Anna Maria

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Genetics
Medical Genetics


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-1809.2011.00652.x

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/57715