Mutations in the gene encoding the 3′-5′ DNA exonuclease TREX1 are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus

TREX1 acts in concert with the SET complex in granzyme A - mediated apoptosis, and mutations in TREX1 cause Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome and familial chilblain lupus. Here, we report monoallelic frameshift or missense mutations and one 3' UTR variant of TREX1 present in 9/ 417 individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus but absent in 1,712 controls (P= 4.1x10(-7)). We demonstrate that two mutant TREX1 alleles alter subcellular targeting. Our findings implicate TREX1 in the pathogenesis of SLE.