A novel PHKA2 gross deletion mutation in a Korean patient with X-linked liver glycogenosis type I.

X-linked liver glycogenosis (XLG) is caused by a mutation in the PHKA2 gene which encodes the alpha subunit of phosphorylase kinase (PHK). Although XLG is not a rare disease, there have been no reports of PHKA2 mutations in Koreans. A 5-year-old boy presented with easy fatigability and hepatomegaly. Liver enzymes were increased and liver histology revealed deposition of glycogen. The PHK activity was markedly decreased compared to control. No amplification was observed at exon 8 of the PHKA2 gene, as a result of the deletion of exon 8. Sequence analysis revealed a hemizygous deletion in the region of exon 8 (c.717+781_864+225del1626). The patient was diagnosed as having XLG I. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of XLG I in Koreans.