The RYR2-encoded ryanodine receptor/calcium release channel in patients diagnosed previously with either catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia or genotype negative, exercise-induced long QT syndrome: a comprehensive open reading frame mutational analysis

J Am Coll Cardiol. 2009 Nov 24;54(22):2065-74. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2009.08.022.

Abstract

Objectives: This study was undertaken to determine the spectrum and prevalence of mutations in the RYR2-encoded cardiac ryanodine receptor in cases with exertional syncope and normal corrected QT interval (QTc).

Background: Mutations in RYR2 cause type 1 catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT1), a cardiac channelopathy with increased propensity for lethal ventricular dysrhythmias. Most RYR2 mutational analyses target 3 canonical domains encoded by <40% of the translated exons. The extent of CPVT1-associated mutations localizing outside of these domains remains unknown as RYR2 has not been examined comprehensively in most patient cohorts.

Methods: Mutational analysis of all RYR2 exons was performed using polymerase chain reaction, high-performance liquid chromatography, and deoxyribonucleic acid sequencing on 155 unrelated patients (49% females, 96% Caucasian, age at diagnosis 20 +/- 15 years, mean QTc 428 +/- 29 ms), with either clinical diagnosis of CPVT (n = 110) or an initial diagnosis of exercise-induced long QT syndrome but with QTc <480 ms and a subsequent negative long QT syndrome genetic test (n = 45).

Results: Sixty-three (34 novel) possible CPVT1-associated mutations, absent in 400 reference alleles, were detected in 73 unrelated patients (47%). Thirteen new mutation-containing exons were identified. Two-thirds of the CPVT1-positive patients had mutations that localized to 1 of 16 exons.

Conclusions: Possible CPVT1 mutations in RYR2 were identified in nearly one-half of this cohort; 45 of the 105 translated exons are now known to host possible mutations. Considering that approximately 65% of CPVT1-positive cases would be discovered by selective analysis of 16 exons, a tiered targeting strategy for CPVT genetic testing should be considered.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Calcium Channels / genetics
  • Catecholamines / metabolism
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Death, Sudden, Cardiac / etiology
  • Exercise / physiology
  • Exercise Test
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / genetics
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Long QT Syndrome / genetics
  • Male
  • Mosaicism
  • Open Reading Frames / genetics*
  • Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel / genetics*
  • Syncope / genetics*
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / genetics*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Calcium Channels
  • Catecholamines
  • Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel