Mutations in filamin C cause a new form of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Mutations in different genes encoding sarcomeric proteins are responsible for 50–60% of familial cases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM); however, the genetic alterations causing the disease in one-third of patients are currently unknown. Here we describe a case with familial HCM of unknown cause. Whole-exome sequencing reveals a variant in the gene encoding the sarcomeric protein filamin C (p.A1539T) that segregates with the disease in this family. Sequencing of 92 HCM cases identifies seven additional variants segregating with the disease in eight families. Patients with FLNC mutations show marked sarcomeric abnormalities in cardiac muscle, and functional analysis reveals that expression of these FLNC variants resulted in the formation of large filamin C aggregates. Clinical studies indicate that FLNC -mutated patients have higher incidence of sudden cardiac death. On the basis of these findings, we conclude that mutations in the gene encoding the sarcomeric protein filamin C cause a new form of familial HMC. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a major cause of sudden cardiac death in young adults. Here, the authors show that mutations in a sarcomeric protein filamin C contribute to the development of familial HCM and are associated with an increased incidence of sudden cardiac death.