Megakaryocyte and platelet abnormalities in a patient with a W33C mutation in the conserved SH3-like domain of myosin heavy chain IIA

Thromb Haemost. 2009 Dec;102(6):1241-50. doi: 10.1160/TH09-02-0119.

Abstract

Heterozygous mutations in MYH9, which encodes non-muscle myosin heavy chain IIA (MHC-IIA), result in autosomal dominant inherited MYH9-related disorders characterised by macro-thrombocytopenia, granulocyte inclusions, variable sensorineural deafness, cataracts and nephritis. MHC-IIA is assembled into a complex consisting of two pairs of light chains and two heavy chains, where the latter contain a neck region, SH3-like, motor and rod domains. We describe a patient with a Trp33Cys missense mutation in the SH3-like domain of MHC-IIA. Abnormal platelet function was observed using platelet aggregometry with the agonists epinephrine and adenosine diphosphate (ADP). Patient granulocytes and megakaryocytes, but not platelets, contained abnormal MHC-IIA inclusions visualised by confocal immunofluorescence or electron microscopy. Megakaryocytes grown in culture were smaller and contained hypolobulated nuclei compared to controls. Bone marrow-derived megakaryocytes revealed a preponderance of immature forms, the presence of structurally diverse inclusion bodies, and frequent emperipolesis as assessed by electron microscopy. Platelets and leukocytes contained indistinguishable amounts of total MHC-IIA determined by immunoblotting. Molecular modelling studies indicated that mutation of Trp33 destabilises the interface between the SH3-like and motor domain of MHC-IIA, which is close to previously described motor domain mutations, implying an important structural and/or functional role for this region in MHC-IIA.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Blood Platelet Disorders / blood
  • Blood Platelet Disorders / genetics
  • Blood Platelets / metabolism*
  • Blood Platelets / pathology
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child
  • Conserved Sequence
  • Female
  • Granulocytes / pathology
  • Heterozygote
  • Humans
  • Inclusion Bodies / pathology
  • Male
  • Megakaryocytes / metabolism*
  • Megakaryocytes / pathology
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Motor Proteins / chemistry*
  • Molecular Motor Proteins / genetics*
  • Mutation, Missense*
  • Myosin Heavy Chains / chemistry*
  • Myosin Heavy Chains / genetics*
  • Thrombocytopenia / blood
  • Thrombocytopenia / genetics
  • src Homology Domains

Substances

  • MYH9 protein, human
  • Molecular Motor Proteins
  • Myosin Heavy Chains