Tangier disease (TD), a rare disorder characterized by extremely low levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), is caused by mutations in the ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) gene. Here, we describe a new patient with TD. The 42-year-old proband had obvious juvenile cataracts, mild hepatosplenomegaly, and an extremely low level of HDL-C (1 mg/dl), consistent with the diagnosis of TD. The proband was homozygous for a novel CTC6914-6TT --> 2203X mutation in the carboxy terminus of the ABCA1 protein. ApoAI-mediated cholesterol efflux from patient fibroblasts was markedly decreased compared to control, despite normal levels of protein expression. This indicates that this mutant protein is normally transcribed and exists as a stable product, yet is functionally defective. These results point to a critical role for the intracellular C-terminal region of the ABCA1 gene product in regulating cholesterol efflux and HDL-cholesterol levels.
(c) 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.