The Role of the MTUS1 Gene in the Development of Left Ventricular Noncompaction Cardiomyopathy—A Case Report

TL;DR

A case report explores how mutations in the MTUS1 gene may be linked to left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy in an infant, but does not cause the condition alone.

Contribution

This is the first human case report linking MTUS1 gene variants to LVNC and highlighting the need for additional factors for disease manifestation.

Findings

The patient had two MTUS1 gene variants that altered the protein structure but did not cause LVNC in his asymptomatic brother.

MTUS1 gene variants alone are insufficient to cause LVNC or developmental disorders.

Environmental or other genetic factors likely contribute to LVNC manifestation.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The microtubule-associated scaffold protein 1 (MTUS1) gene affects the microtubule stability and cell polarity in the heart and could thus lead to the development of left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC). Pathological gene variants in MTUS1 are associated with pathological phenotypes in both cell cultures and animal models. However, the literature lacks human studies on the specific effects of the MTUS1 gene in heart disease, particularly in congenital LVNC. Methods: We present a case of a male infant, diagnosed with LVNC, who passed away at the age of 8 months due to end-stage heart failure. In the investigation process of the etiology of LVNC, whole-genome sequencing using next-generation sequencing was performed in the patient and his first-degree family members. Results: Genetic analysis identified two heterozygous variants in the MTUS1 gene (NM_001363059.2:c.87C>G and NM_001363059.2:c.2449+421_2288-425del) in the presented patient. The first variant introduced an early stop codon, while the second caused the deletion of an entire exon, both of which significantly altered the protein structure. The older brother of the patient, at the age of 5 years, was a carrier of both variants; however, he was asymptomatic and without signs of heart disease on cardiac ultrasonography. Conclusions: Although, in theory, defects in the MTUS1 gene may contribute to the development of LVNC, our observations indicate that MTUS1 variants alone are not sufficient to cause LVNC or lead to any significant developmental disorder. Additional factors, whether genetic or environmental, are likely necessary for the clinical manifestation of LVNC.

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