Progress in the molecular genetics of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a mini-review.

BACKGROUND

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), which is characterized by unexplained and asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy in the absence of other cardiac or systemic diseases, is an inherited cardiovascular disease and presents rising penetrance with aging.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this review is to offer an outline of recent progress in the molecular genetics of HCM and to discuss characteristics of elderly HCM patients.

METHODS

Studies were analyzed which included disease genes related to HCM, relationships between genotype and phenotype, potential pathogenesis of HCM, and the features of elderly patients with HCM.

RESULTS

HCM is caused by mutations in genes encoding myofilament proteins of the sarcomere, Z-disc proteins, Ca2+ -handling proteins, and other proteins related to the sarcomere. Phenotypic manifestations of HCM are not just determined by these genes; modifying genes and epigenetic factors also contribute to the complexity of the HCM phenotype. The potential pathogenesis of HCM involves dominant negative function, an imbalance of myocardial energetic metabolism, and haploinsufficiency. Late-onset HCM presents its own features in the distribution of causal genes. Mutations in MYBPC3 may be the most common cause of delayed expression of HCM, and the sarcomere gene screen is most likely to be negative in elderly HCM patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite progress in the identification of genetic causes and pathogenesis of HCM, there are still some questions that need to be better understood. It remains a great challenge to identify the cause of 50% of HCM cases in patients without an identified mutation. The application of a new genetic study technology may completely uncover the genetic background of these cases. In addition, the influences of causal mutations on the function and signaling of cardiocytes are expected to be elucidated further.