High mutation detection rate in the COL4A5 collagen gene in suspected Alport syndrome using PCR and direct DNA sequencing.

Approximately 85% of patients with Alport syndrome (hereditary nephritis) have been estimated to have mutations in the X chromosomal COL4A5 collagen gene; the remaining cases are autosomal with mutations in the COL4A3 or COL4A4 genes located on chromosome 2. In the present work, the promoter sequence and previously unknown intron sequences flanking exons 2 and 37 of COL4A5 were determined. Furthermore, intron sequences flanking the other 49 exons were expanded from 35 to 190 to facilitate mutation analysis of the gene.