Three novel mutations of ARG1 identified in Chinese patients with argininemia detected by newborn screening

Argininemia is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder caused by deficiency of arginase Ι, resulting from mutations in the ARG1 gene. Few genetic studies of ARG1 mutations in Chinese patients have been reported. In this study, two argininemia patients were initially diagnosed by tandem mass spectrometry in newborn screening. Mutation analysis of the ARG1 gene was performed by direct sequencing. Three novel mutations were identified and in silico methods were used to predict the impact of these mutations on the activity of enzyme. Two missense mutations, p.D100N and p.R71T, in Patient-1 were predicted to lower the stability of arginase Ι by analysis of 3D crystal structure, while two nonsense mutations, p.G12X and p.E42X, in Patient-2 were predicted to lead to truncated protein. Neonatal screening combined with genetic analysis is important for timely diagnosis and initiation of interventions of a potential genetic metabolic disease such as argininemia.