Whole exome sequencing identified a new compound heterozygous PRKN mutation in a Chinese family with early-onset Parkinson's disease.

Early-onset Parkinson's disease (EOPD) is usually caused by genetic variants and patients with EOPD develop symptoms before the age of 50, accounting for 5% Parkinson's disease (PD). Here we present a Chinese Han pedigree with clinical features of EOPD. To determine the diagnosis and pathogenic mutations of this pedigree, whole exome sequencing, Sanger sequencing and real-time quantitative PCR were performed to detect all the four family members. Our results showed that a new form of compound heterozygous mutation in the PRKN gene, consisting of heterozygous point mutation c.850G > C (p.G284R) along with exon 4 deletion, is the causative genetic factor for EOPD in this pedigree. These discoveries may have implications for genetic counseling, clinical management and developing PRKN target gene therapy strategy.