A novel heterozygous missense MYH7 mutation potentially causes an autosomal dominant form of myosin storage myopathy with dilated cardiomyopathy

Background: The MYH7 gene, which encodes the slow/ß-cardiac myosin heavy chain, is mutated in myosin storage myopathy (MSM). The clinical spectrum of MSM is quite heterogeneous in that it ranges from cardiomyopathies to skeletal myopathies or a combination of both, depending on the affected region. In this study, we performed clinical and molecular examinations of the proband of an Iranian family with MSM in an autosomal dominant condition exhibiting proximal muscle weakness and dilated cardiomyopathy.

Methods: Following thorough clinical and paraclinical examinations, whole-exome sequencing `was performed on the proband (II-5). Pathogenicity prediction of the candidate variant was performed through in-silico analysis. Co-segregation analysis of the WES data among the family members was carried out by PCR-based Sanger sequencing.

Results: A novel heterozygous missense variant, MYH7 (NM_000257): c.C1888A: p.Pro630Thr, was found in the DNA of the proband and his children and confirmed by Sanger sequencing. The in-silico analysis revealed that p.Pro630Thr substitution was deleterious. The novel sequence variant fell within a highly conserved region of the head domain. Our findings expand the spectrum of MYH7 mutations.

Conclusions: This finding could improve genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis in families with clinical manifestations associated with MYH7-related myopathy.