Identification of novel mutations in ADAMTS13 in an adult patient with congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

Congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP/HUS) is associated with an inherited von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease (ADAMTS13 [a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type I domains 13]) deficiency. In this study, we identified novel mutations in the ADAMTS13 gene in a patient with TTP. The patient was a 51-year-old Japanese male who exhibited TTP symptoms at frequent intervals. The ADAMTS13 activity during acute episodes was less than 3% that of normal. The enzyme activities of the patient's father and mother were both 46%, and both parents were asymptomatic. Genetic analysis revealed that the patient was a compound heterozygote for 2 mutations. One mutation was a missense mutation in the metalloprotease domain (A250V, exon 7), and the other was a guanine to adenine substitution at the 5′ end of intron 3 (intron 3 G→A). In vitro expression studies revealed that the A250V mutation markedly reduced ADAMTS13 activity and the intron 3 G→A mutation caused abnormal mRNA synthesis.