Introduction:

Classical galactosemia is the most severe and prevalent genetic disorder of galactose metabolism worldwide. It is caused by mutations in GALT gene, in which more than 300 allelic variants have been identified. No molecular studies have been performed in Cuba to identify the mutations present in patients.

Objective:

To identify allelic variants of GALT gene in Cuban patients with classical galactosemia.

Methods:

Genomic DNA was isolated from 29 patients by the salt precipitation method. Six mutations were detected by polymerase chain reaction-enzymatic digestion-electrophoresis. GALT gene sequencing was performed on ten samples.

Results:

The mutations p.Q188R, p.L195P, p.S135L, p.N314D and p.L218L were detected by polymerase chain reaction-enzymatic digestion-electrophoresis. In addition, six mutations were identified by sequencing, three in the exonic region: p.F171S, p.T292T and p.H315H; and three in the intronic region: c.378-27G>C, c.507+62G>A and c.508-24G>A.

Conclusions:

The mutations found show the allelic genetic heterogeneity of classical galactosemia in the Cuban population. This knowledge can contribute to improving prenatal and postnatal molecular diagnosis, the study of carriers, and genetic counseling of patients and family members.