Mutations in ACTA2 are the most common genetic cause of thoracic aortic aneurysm, and are also the cause of other disorders, including Moyamoya disease, coronary artery disease and stroke as well as Multisystemic Smooth Muscle Dysfunction Syndrome.
Mutations in the gene encoding smooth muscle cell alpha actin (ACTA2) have recently been shown to cause familial thoracic aortic aneurysms leading to type A dissections (TAAD) and predispose to premature stroke and coronary artery disease.
Linkage analysis and association studies of individuals in 20 families with ACTA2 mutations indicate that mutation carriers can have a diversity of vascular diseases, including premature onset of coronary artery disease (CAD) and premature ischemic strokes (including Moyamoya disease [MMD]), as well as previously defined TAAD.