GERMLINE MUTATIONS IN THE FACTOR-IX GENE - A COMPARISON OF THE PATTERN IN CAUCASIANS AND NON-CAUCASIANS

DNA samples of patients from around the world have been sequenced to precisely define the mutations in the factor IX gene resulting in hemophilia B. This study compares the patterns of independent mutation between 127 Caucasian and 44 non-Caucasian patients with hemophilia B. Caucasians and non-Caucasians are found to have similar patterns of transitions and transversions (both at CpG and at non-CpG sites) as well as insertions, deletions, microdeletions, and complex changes (chi2 = 2.71, p = 0.922). An analysis of subgroups of transitions and transversions shows similar patterns among Caucasians and non-Caucasians (chi2 = 2.98, p = 0.83). If the subset of non-Caucasian samples (24) in which the mutation is known to have occurred outside of the United States, Canada, and Europe (UCE) is compared to the Caucasian subset, the above conclusions are unchanged. The invariant nature of this pattern of mutation is most simply compatible with a predominance of endogenous processes or common mutagen exposure rather than mutagen exposure specifically associated with non-Caucasian status or non-Western lifestyle.