OBJECTIVEThe major cause of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is 21-hydroxylase deficiency, which accounts for 90% - 95% of all cases in most populations. This study was conducted to characterize the molecular basis of the 21-hydroxylase deficiency and to obtain the spectrum of the CYP21 gene mutations in a group of Chinese patients, and analyze the relationship of genotype and phenotype.

METHODSTo detect the distribution of gene mutations in Chinese population samples from 52 patients with 21-hydroxylase deficiency from 51 families were collected, including two parents samples in 30 patients and one parents sample in 10 patients. Blood samples were obtained for extraction of peripheral blood lymphocytes. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by nesed PCR were used to study the 21-hydroxylase gene (CYP21) mutations. The primary PCR amplified two overlapping CYP21-specific DNA fragments, The product of the nested PCR which used products from the primary PCR was analysed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) or amplification-created restriction site (ACRS). All patients were studied by 6 mutations, including P30L, I2g (intron 2 nt 656 c/a-->g splice mutation), E3Delta8nt (exon 3 codon111-codon113 8 bp deletion), I172N, V281L and Q318X.

RESULTSThrough analysis of 52 patients with 21-hydroxylase deficiency, in 5 patients no mutations were detected, in 17 patients only one mutated allele could be characterized, two different mutations were identified in 21 patients, three mutations were detected in 2 patients. Totally, in 73% of alleles the genotypes could be detected. The most common mutation was I2g, which present on 31% affected alleles, then followed by I172N, Q318X, V281L, P30L, E3Delta8nt, accounting for 23%, 14%, 9%, 3%, 2% of all identified mutations respectively, which included multiple mutations accounting for 6%. The most frequent molecular defects of the salt-wasting form were the I2g (45.7%), Q318X (26%). Of the simple virilizing form, the dominant mutations were I172N (40.7%) and I2g (18.5%).

CONCLUSIONSix different mutations were examined in this study, and the detected mutations accounted for 73% affected alleles, in which I2g and I172N were the most common mutations (accounting for 54%). Correlation between genotypes and phenotypes was compatible with the reported data. Two rounds of PCR followed by RFLP or ACRS analysis may provide important information for genetic counseling and for prenatal diagnosis.