Anthonie J. van Essen

Heterozygous Germline Mutations in the p53 Homolog p63 Are the Cause of EEC Syndrome

EEC syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by ectrodactyly, ectodermal dysplasia, and facial clefts. We have mapped the genetic defect in several EEC syndrome families to a region of chromosome 3q27 previously implicated in the EEC-like disorder, limb mammary syndrome (LMS). Analysis of the p63 gene, a homolog of p53 located in the critical LMS/EEC interval, revealed heterozygous mutations in nine unrelated EEC families. Eight mutations result in amino acid substitutions that are predicted to abolish the DNA binding capacity of p63. The ninth is a frameshift mutation that affects the p63alpha, but not p63beta and p63gamma isotypes. Transactivation studies with these mutant p63 isotypes provide a molecular explanation for the dominant character of p63 mutations in EEC syndrome.

Mutations in the Pericentrin (PCNT) Gene Cause Primordial Dwarfism

Fundamental processes influencing human growth can be revealed by studying extreme short stature. Using genetic linkage analysis, we find that biallelic loss-of-function mutations in the centrosomal pericentrin (PCNT) gene on chromosome 21q22.3 cause microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism type II (MOPD II) in 25 patients. Adults with this rare inherited condition have an average height of 100 centimeters and a brain size comparable to that of a 3-month-old baby, but are of near-normal intelligence. Absence of PCNT results in disorganized mitotic spindles and missegregation of chromosomes. Mutations in related genes are known to cause primary microcephaly (MCPH1, CDK5RAP2, ASPM, and CENPJ).

PRENATAL-DIAGNOSIS AND CARRIER DETECTION OF DUCHENNE MUSCULAR-DYSTROPHY WITH CLOSELY LINKED RFLPS

By the use of a series of closely linked DNA probes detecting restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) distributed over the short arm of the X chromosome, a double crossover was detected in a Duchenne muscular dystrophy carrier and an affected male fetus was diagnosed at 12 weeks of gestation, with a probable accuracy of more than 99.0%. A new mutation was identified in another family with the same degree of reliability; three females in this family were thus deemed not to be DMD carriers. The eleven RFLP-markers presently available on the short arm of the X chromosome are useful in the diagnosis of DMD since they bridge the Duchenne locus at genetic distances varying between 3 and 20 cmo. Moreover, recombination within the set of markers provides an independent way of regionally mapping these probes relative to each other along the short arm of the X chromosome.

High rate of mosaicism in tuberous sclerosis complex.

Six families with mosaicism are identified in a series of 62 unrelated families with a mutation in one of the two tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) genes, TSC1 or TSC2. In five families, somatic mosaicism was present in a mildly affected parent of an index patient. In one family with clinically unaffected parents, gonadal mosaicism was detected after TSC was found in three children. The detection of mosaicism has consequences for genetic counseling of the families involved, as changed risks apply to individuals with mosaicism, both siblings and parents. Clinical investigation of parents of patients with seemingly sporadic mutations is essential to determine their residual chance of gonadal and/or somatic mosaicism, unless a mosaic pattern is detected in the index patient, proving a de novo event. In our data set, the exclusion of signs of TSC in the parents of a patient with TSC reduced the chance of one of the parents to be a (mosaic) mutation carrier from 10% to 2%. In the five families with somatic mosaicism, the parent was given the diagnosis after the diagnosis was made in the child.

Germline mutations in DIS3L2 cause the Perlman syndrome of overgrowth and Wilms tumor susceptibility.

Perlman syndrome is a congenital overgrowth syndrome inherited in an autosomal recessive manner that is associated with Wilms tumor susceptibility. We mapped a previously unknown susceptibility locus to 2q37.1 and identified germline mutations in DIS3L2, a homolog of the Schizosaccharomyces pombe dis3 gene, in individuals with Perlman syndrome. Yeast dis3 mutant strains have mitotic abnormalities. Yeast Dis3 and its human homologs, DIS3 and DIS3L1, have exoribonuclease activity and bind to the core RNA exosome complex. DIS3L2 has a different intracellular localization and lacks the PIN domain found in DIS3 and DIS3L1; nevertheless, we show that DIS3L2 has exonuclease activity. DIS3L2 inactivation was associated with mitotic abnormalities and altered expression of mitotic checkpoint proteins. DIS3L2 overexpression suppressed the growth of human cancer cell lines, and knockdown enhanced the growth of these cells. We also detected evidence of DIS3L2 mutations in sporadic Wilms tumor. These observations suggest that DIS3L2 has a critical role in RNA metabolism and is essential for the regulation of cell growth and division.

Overview of the Mutation Spectrum in Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy and Norrie Disease with Identification of 21 Novel Variants in FZD4, LRP5, and NDP

Wnt signaling is a crucial component of the cell machinery orchestrating a series of physiological processes such as cell survival, proliferation, and migration. Among the plethora of roles that Wnt signaling plays, its canonical branch regulates eye organogenesis and angiogenesis. Mutations in the genes encoding the low density lipoprotein receptor protein 5 (LRP5) and frizzled 4 (FZD4), acting as coreceptors for Wnt ligands, cause familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR). Moreover, mutations in the gene encoding NDP, a ligand for these Wnt receptors, cause Norrie disease and FEVR. Both FEVR and Norrie disease share similar phenotypic characteristics, including abnormal vascularization of the peripheral retina and formation of fibrovascular masses in the eye that can lead to blindness. In this mutation update, we report 21 novel variants for FZD4, LRP5, and NDP, and discuss the putative functional consequences of missense mutations. In addition, we provide a comprehensive overview of all previously published variants in the aforementioned genes and summarize the phenotypic characteristics in mouse models carrying mutations in the orthologous genes. The increasing molecular understanding of Wnt signaling, related to ocular development and blood supply, offers more tools for accurate disease diagnosis that may be important in the development of therapeutic interventions. Hum Mutat 31:656–666, 2010.

PARENTAL ORIGIN AND GERMLINE MOSAICISM OF DELETIONS AND DUPLICATIONS OF THE DYSTROPHIN GENE - A EUROPEAN STUDY

SummaryKnowledge about the parental origin of new mutations and the occurrence of germline mosaicism is important for estimating recurrence risks in Duchenne (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD). However, there are problems in resolving these issues partly because not all mutations can as yet be directly detected, and additionally because genetic ratios are very sensitive to ascertainment bias. In the present study, therefore, analysis was restricted to currently detectable mutations (deletions and duplications) in particular types of families which tend to be rare. In order to obtain sufficient data we pooled results from 25 European centers. In mothers of affected patients who were the first in their family with a dystrophin gene deletion or duplication, the ratio between the paternal and the maternal origin of this new mutation was 32:49 (binomial test P = 0.075) for DMD. In five BMD families the ratio between paternal and maternal origin of new mutations was 3∶2. Recurrence risk because of maternal germline mosaicism was studied in sisters or subsequent sibs of isolated cases with an apparently new detectable mutation. In 12 out of 59 (0.20; 95% CI 0.10–0.31) transmissions of the risk haplotype the DMD mutation was transmitted as well. No recurrences were found in nine BMD families.

The natural history, including orofacial features of three patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, dermatosparaxis type (EDS type VIIC).

Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS) dermatosparaxis type (type VIIC) and the related disease of cattle dermatosparaxis, are recessively inherited connective tissue disorders, caused by a deficient activity of procollagen I N‐proteinase, the enzyme that excises the N‐terminal propeptide in procollagen type I, type II, and type III. Although well documented in cattle, to date only seven human cases have been recorded, most of them aged under 2 years. We document the natural history of three patients with EDS dermatosparaxis type, two of whom have been reported before the age of 2 years, and one new patient. The phenotype of the patients, and especially the facial resemblance, is striking, making this a clinically recognizable condition. The most consistent anomalies during the first years of life are premature rupture of the membranes, extreme skin fragility and easy bruising, large fontanels, blue sclerae, puffy eyelids, micrognathia, umbilical hernia, and short fingers. Joint hypermobility becomes more important with age. The children are at risk for rupture of internal organs due to soft tissue fragility, as is illustrated by different internal events in two of the three patients described here. Orofacial features include micrognathia, a frontal open bite, and gingival hyperplasia with varying degrees of hyperkeratosis. The deciduous dentition shows abnormal morphology of the molars, obliteration of the tooth pulp, and severe enamel attrition. The permanent dentition shows agenesis and microdontia of several teeth. Tooth discoloration, dysplastic roots, and tooth pulp obliteration are present in a restricted number of permanent teeth.

Birth and population prevalence of Duchenne muscular dystrophy in the Netherlands

SummaryMutations causing Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) have a short survival. Therefore, birth and population prevalence are maintained by new mutations. The present inventory was made to estimate the birth and population prevalence rates of DMD in the Netherlands. Seven methods of case identification were used. Data on 496 definite, probable or possible DMD patients born since 1961, or alive on January 1, 1983, were obtained. Several methods gave an estimated ascertainment of more than 95%. The prevalence rate at birth of DMD was estimated at 23.7×10−5 (1∶4215) male live births (MLB) yearly. The prevalence rate in the male population on January 1, 1983 was 5.4×10−5 (1∶18496). About 1% of the males in this study may have autosomal recessive Duchenne-like muscular dystrophy. Until now there has been no convincing evidence for geographic differences in DMD prevalence at birth. A list of frequency studies of Duchenne muscular dystrophy is included. The DMD mutation rate calculated by the indirect method is 7.9×10−5 genes per generation. However, this may well be an over-estimate, as this method does not account for germline mosaicism. Using a modified sex ratio method the proportion of sporadic DMD among all cases was estimated to be 0.106 (range 0–0.332). High frequency of germline mosaicism in DMD is a likely cause for the apparent lack of sporadic cases as found in previous studies, if mutation rates in male and female gametes are equal. Therefore, methods for estimating the proportion of new mutants in DMD should take germline mosaicism into account. The modified sex ratio method allows incorporation of data on germline mosaicism if available.

Mutations in MED12 Cause X-Linked Ohdo Syndrome

Ohdo syndrome comprises a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by intellectual disability (ID) and typical facial features, including blepharophimosis. Clinically, these blepharophimosis-ID syndromes have been classified in five distinct subgroups, including the Maat-Kievit-Brunner (MKB) type, which, in contrast to the others, is characterized by X-linked inheritance and facial coarsening at older age. We performed exome sequencing in two families, each with two affected males with Ohdo syndrome MKB type. In the two families, MED12 missense mutations (c.3443G>A [p.Arg1148His] or c.3493T>C [p.Ser1165Pro]) segregating with the phenotype were identified. Upon subsequent analysis of an additional cohort of nine simplex male individuals with Ohdo syndrome, one additional de novo missense change (c.5185C>A [p.His1729Asn]) in MED12 was detected. The occurrence of three different hemizygous missense mutations in three unrelated families affected by Ohdo syndrome MKB type shows that mutations in MED12 are the underlying cause of this X-linked form of Ohdo syndrome. Together with the recently described KAT6B mutations resulting in Ohdo syndrome Say/Barber/Biesecker/Young/Simpson type, our findings point to aberrant chromatin modification as being central to the pathogenesis of Ohdo syndrome.