An Identical Missense Mutation in the Albumin Gene Results in Familial Dysalbuminemic Hyperthyroxinemia in Eight Unrelated Families

Abstract

Familial dysalbuminemic hyperthyroxinemia (FDH) is the most common form of inherited increase of serum thyroxine in Caucasians. It is the result of increased thyroxine-binding to serum proteins and is inherited as a dominant trait. The entire coding region of the albumin gene of a subject with FDH was sequenced. A single nucleotide substitution, G to A transition in codon 218, was found in one of the two alleles, resulting in the replacement of the normal Arg with His. This mutation was found in 9 affected family members but not in 8 unaffected relatives and 18 unrelated normal individuals. The same missense mutation was found in 12 other subjects with FDH belonging to 7 unrelated families. In every individual with FDH, the mutation was associated with the Sac I+ polymorphism in the albumin gene, strongly suggesting a founder effect. © 1994 Academic Press. All rights reserved.