Mutations in ILK, encoding integrin-linked kinase, are associated with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy.

Mutations in ILK, encoding integrin-linked kinase, are associated with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. Transl Res. 2019 Feb 15;: Authors: Brodehl A, Rezazadeh S, Williams T, Munsie NM, Liedtke D, Oh T, Ferrier R, Shen Y, Jones SJM, Stiegler AL, Boggon TJ, Duff HJ, Friedman JM, Gibson WT, FORGE Canada Consortium, Childs SJ, Gerull B Abstract Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy is a genetic heart muscle disorder characterized by fibro-fatty replacement of cardiomyocytes leading to life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death. Mutations in genes encoding cardiac junctional proteins are known to cause about half of cases, while remaining genetic causes are unknown. Using exome sequencing, we identified 2 missense variants (p.H33N and p.H77Y) that were predicted to be damaging in the integrin-linked kinase (ILK) gene in 2 unrelated families. The p.H33N variant was found to be de novo. ILK links integrins and the actin cytoskeleton, and is essential for the maintenance of normal cardiac function. Both of the new variants are located in the ILK ankyrin repeat domain, which binds to the first LIM domain of the adaptor proteins PINCH1 and PINCH2. In silico binding studies proposed that the human variants disrupt the ILK-PINCH complex. Recombinant mutant ILK expressed in H9c2 rat myoblast cells shows aberrant prominent cytoplasmic localization compared to the wild-type. Expression of human wild-type and mutant ILK...
Source: Translational Research : the journal of laboratory and clinical medicine - Category: Laboratory Medicine Authors: Tags: Transl Res Source Type: research