Hexokinase-4
glucokinase activity
Insights into the pathogenicity of rare missense GCK variants from the identification and functional characterization of compound heterozygous and double mutations inherited in cis.
<h4>Objective</h4>To demonstrate the importance of using a combined genetic and functional approach to correctly interpret a genetic test for monogenic diabetes.<h4>Research design and methods</h4>We identified three probands with a phenotype consistent with maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) subtype GCK-MODY, in whom two potential pathogenic mutations were identified: [R43H/G68D], [E248 K/I225M], or [G261R/D217N]. Allele-specific PCR and cosegregation were used to determine phase. Single and double mutations were kinetically characterized.<h4>Results</h4>The mutations occurred in cis (double mutants) in two probands and in trans in one proband. Functional studies of all double mutants revealed inactivating kinetics. The previously reported GCK-MODY mutations R43H and G68D were inherited from an affected father and unaffected mother, respectively. Both our functional and genetic studies support R43H as the cause of GCK-MODY and G68D as a neutral rare variant.<h4>Conclusions</h4>These data highlight the need for family/functional studies, even for previously reported pathogenic mutations.