A glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) splice site consensus sequence mutation associated with C6PD enzyme deficiency

A glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficient strain of mouse (GPDX) which was developed using the ethylating agent ethylnitrosourea (ENU) has been used to study clonality in epithelial tissues. While the biochemical defect has been quantified, the genetic basis of the deficiency is unknown. The G6PD gene is composed of 13 exons. Exon 1 is not translated, and the ATG start site is near the 5' end of exon 2. Direct sequencing of the exonic regions of the gene from GPDX, C3H, 101, C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice was carried out. The coding region, in which (with a single exception) all mutations found to cause G6PD deficiency in man are situated, showed identical sequences in three of the four strains studied (101 coding region sequence was not examined). However, the G6PD gene in the GPDX mouse showed a single base difference from the other four strains and from the published mouse G6PD sequence (BALB/c) in the 5' splice site consensus sequence at the 3' end of exon 1, part of the untranslated region. The difference was confirmed in four different GPDX mice. This mutation was of the type (A to T transversion) that is known to be induced by ENU; its effect is likely to be exerted through a defect in transcription, splicing or translation, leading to a reduction in protein levels. By Western blot we have found a marked decrease in the G6PD protein levels in the GPDX mouse, with the C3H X GPDX heterozygote showing a lesser decrease. Recently, an increasing number of mutations in the untranslated regions of genes have been found which have effects on protein levels. We believe that the reduced enzyme activity in the GPDX mouse is due to the mutation in the 5' untranslated region (UTR), and that similar mutations may be relevant in other inherited conditions.