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Holoprosencephaly and limb reduction defects: a consideration of Steinfeld syndrome and related conditions.

Individuals with holoprosencephaly (HPE) and limb reduction defects have been ascribed historically to a variety of syndromes with overlapping phenotypic features. As such, these patients are challenges for clinicians and researchers alike. In an effort to better understand this association, we reviewed our autopsy records and identified five cases of HPE with reduction defects of the limbs and other anomalies. One case appears to be the third reported instance of Steinfeld syndrome, while others represent microgastria-limb reduction sequence, VATER/VACTERL association, and an additional unique condition characterized by HPE, rhombencephalosynapsis, absent left radius, first metacarpal, and thumb, and congenital heart disease. The phenotypic heterogeneity inherent in these patients continues to complicate diagnosis, which will hopefully be simplified by continuing delineation at morphologic and especially genetic levels.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Anthropometry and numerical taxonomy in clinical genetics: an example of applied biological anthropology.

Biological anthropologists can contribute a unique perspective as well as technical expertise to the diagnosis and classification of genetic disorders. Anthropometry has been used with increasing frequency to characterize syndromes and to establish ranges of variation within syndromes. The specific anthropometric-radiologic technique of metacarpophalangeal pattern profile analysis has proven useful in discriminating individuals with the Prader-Labhart-Willi (PLW) syndrome from unaffected persons. Analysis of these data also indicate a negative correlation between age and Z-score transformations of individual hand bone lengths. These findings sound a cautionary note to clinical investigators who would use the Z-score transformation to standardize for age and sex. Problems encountered in the classification of genetic syndromes afford many parallels with those faced by anthropologists in the classification of living and fossil populations. The reliance on "key" traits and the necessity of focusing on pedigree analysis results in a deemphasis of the total range of variation and typological thinking. Application of numerical taxonomic techniques to the classification of the heterogeneous connective tissue disease osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) illustrates the heuristic value of this technique and points out the need to consider phenotypic overlap when defining typologies. Clinical genetics affords just one example of an area in medicine where the unique training and generalist perspective of the biological anthropologist is in demand. The decline in the availability of positions in the traditional academic habitat for biological anthropologists makes it imperative that graduate students be aware of alternatives and that they obtain training in the practical skills which such alternatives will demand.

Anthropology↗

Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome in trisomy 13: how does the mix work?

BACKGROUND: Trisomy 13 and Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) are both well-recognized multiple congenital anomaly/mental retardation syndromes. CASE: In this report we describe a male newborn with trisomy 13 who also has features of SLOS, such as 2/3 toe syndactyly and a shawl-like scrotum. Biochemical analysis was consistent with SLOS, and limited molecular analysis revealed 1 mutation in the DHCR7 gene. CONCLUSIONS: The challenges in establishing the diagnosis of SLOS in this patient are presented and the unique coexistence of the 2 major malformation syndromes is discussed. Given the overlapping phenotype of the 2 syndromes, our report should encourage further research on cholesterol biosynthesis in patients with trisomy 13.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

The fibrillin-Marfan syndrome connection.

A few years ago no one would have suspected that the well-known disorder of connective tissue, Marfan syndrome, could be caused by mutations in a recently discovered extracellular component, fibrillin. Likewise, nobody would have predicted that fibrillin represents a small family of proteins that are associated with several phenotypically overlapping disorders. The fibrillins are integral constituents of the non-collagenous microfibrils, with an average diameter of 10 nm. These aggregates are distributed in the extracellular matrix of virtually every tissue. Microfibrillar bundles provide the external coating to elastin in elastic fibers, and serve an anchoring function in non-elastic tissues. At higher resolution, individual microfibrils have a "beads-on-a-string" appearance resulting from the head-to-tail polymerization of multiple fibrillin aggregates. Structurally, fibrillin contains a series of repeated sequences homologous to the epidermal growth factor calcium-binding motif. Characterization of fibrillin mutations in Marfan syndrome patients, together with the elucidation of the structure of the fibrillin proteins, have provided new insights, and raised new questions, about the function of the 10 nm microfibrils. For example, it is possible that the fibrillins, in addition to serving a structural function, might also be involved in regulating cellular activities and morphogenetic programs. It is fitting that the long search for the Marfan syndrome gene has brought a novel group of proteins to the forefront of extracellular matrix biology.

Connective Tissue↗

Identification of four novel COL10A1 missense mutations in schmid metaphyseal chondrodysplasia: further evidence that collagen X NC1 mutations impair trimer assembly.

Schmid metaphyseal chondrodysplasia (SMCD) is an autosomal dominant disorder affecting the growth plate cartilage of long bones caused by heterozygous mutations in the gene for collagen X (COL10A1), a short-chain collagen expressed by hypertrophic chondrocytes of growth plate cartilage. In this paper we analyzed six unrelated patients clinically determined as affected by SMCD, and characterized four missense mutations, c.52G>A (p.G18R), c.1744T>G (p.Y582D), c.1792T>G (p.Y598D) and c.1958A>C (p.Q653P). These mutations were clustered in the two regions of the collagen X protein shown to contain all previous SMCD mutations; the signal sequence cleavage site (p.G18R), or the C-terminal NC1 trimerization domain (p.Y582D, p.Y598D and p.Q653P). To determine the functional effect of the mutations we produced engineered p.Y582D, p.Y598D and p.Q653P cDNA and expressed these in vitro. Our data showed that while the wild-type collagen X assembled in vitro into trimers that were stable to SDS-PAGE analysis, p.Y582D (the most N-terminal of the SMCD NC1 mutations described), p.Q653P, and the previously analyzed p.Y598D impair collagen X trimerization. However, in two patients no mutations were detected despite complete sequence analysis of the COL10A1 coding region, the exon-intron splice consensus sequences and the 500bp gene promoter region. Heterozygosity for known polymorphisms ruled out major COL10A1 gene deletions and Southern analysis excluded major rearrangements. The data suggest that in these two patients, SMCD results from mutations at another gene locus. No mutations were detected in RMRP, the gene for cartilage-hair hypoplasia that has phenotypic overlap with SMCD.

Collagen Type X↗

Olfaction testing in patients with tremor-dominant Parkinson's disease: is this a distinct condition?

There is considerable controversy regarding the relationship between essential tremor (ET) and Parkinson's disease (PD), especially when tremor is the dominant feature of PD or there is a family history of tremor. Reduced olfaction function is one of the initial signs of PD. In contrast, ET has relatively preserved olfaction. To infer whether the tremor-dominant subgroup of PD is intrinsically different from mainstream PD, we tested olfaction using the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test-40 (UPSIT) in this group and compared the findings with those of patients with non-tremor-dominant "regular" PD. We then evaluated predictors of reduced UPSIT scores within the tremor-dominant group. Overall, olfaction did not differ between tremor-dominant PD and regular PD; however, the subgroup of tremor-dominant PD with a family history of tremor had less olfaction loss than those without a family history (P = 0.0007) or those with regular PD (P = 0.0350). Other clinical features of this tremor-dominant PD with a family history of tremor group mostly resembled those without a family history. This finding suggests that patients with a family history of tremor may represent a different disease process even though, aside from differences in olfaction, they are clinically similar to other patients with tremor-dominant parkinsonism. It additionally suggests phenotypic overlap between PD and ET.

Aged↗

Fulminant Lewy body disease.

The clinical distinction between Parkinson's disease (PD) with dementia (PDD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is challenged by most neuropathological studies showing nearly identical changes in both conditions. We report an unusual case of PD evolving into a rapidly progressive dementia leading to death within 3 months that showed nearly all clinical features of DLB. At autopsy, numerous Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites were found in several areas of the brainstem, the limbic system, and the neocortex, consistent with pure DLB. This case demonstrates that Lewy body disease may exhibit a dramatic course without any coexisting pathology and exemplifies that PD, PDD, and DLB may sometimes represent sequential, yet overlapping, phenotypes of a same clinicopathological entity.

14-3-3 Proteins↗

Molecular Characterisation of Treacher Collins Syndrome in a South African Cohort: Novel Disease-Causing Variants in TCOF1 and POLR1D.

BACKGROUND: Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS) is a rare craniofacial disorder characterised by variable expressivity. It is caused by pathogenic variants in the TCOF1, POLR1D, POLR1C, or POLR1B genes. Common clinical features include hypoplasia of the zygomatic complex and mandible, downward-slanting palpebral fissures, lower eyelid anomalies, microtia, and hearing loss. Owing to its phenotypic overlap with other craniofacial syndromes, molecular testing is essential for establishing an accurate diagnosis and guiding effective clinical management. METHODS: Ten South African patients with a suspected clinical diagnosis of TCS underwent targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) using a custom gene panel including TCOF1, POLR1C, and POLR1D genes. Variants were classified according to ACMG/AMP guidelines, with validation by Sanger sequencing where necessary. RESULTS: Disease-causing variants were identified in six of the ten patients (60%). These included five heterozygous variants in TCOF1 and one homozygous variant in POLR1D. Notably, five of the six variants were identified for the first time in this study. Additionally, a recurrent TCOF1 deletion was identified for the first time in an African family. CONCLUSION: This study expands the mutational spectrum of TCS in general and provides African data in particular. Findings support the use of panel-based NGS for diagnosis in resource-limited settings and highlight the need for population-specific variant data to improve diagnostic accuracy, guide clinical care, and support genetic counselling for affected individuals and their families.

Humans↗

Fetal aortic root dilation: a prenatal feature of the Loeys-Dietz syndrome.

Loeys-Dietz syndrome is a recently described autosomal dominant disorder with cardinal manifestations in cardiovascular, craniofacial and skeletal systems. Although the disease has some phenotypic overlap with Marfan syndrome, the disease, that is caused by mutations in the transforming growth factor beta-receptor 1 (TGFBR1) or transforming growth factor beta-receptor 2 (TGFBR2) genes, presents many distinctive features and a particularly aggressive cardiovascular course. We describe prenatal identification of an aortic root aneurysm in a fetus of 19 week of gestation as an early marker of Loeys-Dietz syndrome.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

SOX18 directly interacts with MEF2C in endothelial cells.

Recently, we demonstrated that mutations in the Sry-related HMG box gene Sox18 underlie vascular and hair follicle defects in the mouse allelic mutants ragged (Ra) and RaJ. Ra mice display numerous anomalies in the homozygote including, oedema, peritoneal secretions, and are almost completely naked. Sox18 and the MADS box transcription factor, Mef2C, are expressed in developing endothelial cells. Null mutants in Sox18 and Mef2c display overlapping phenotypic abnormalities, hence, we investigated the relationship between these two DNA binding proteins. We report here the direct interaction between MEF2C and SOX18 proteins, and establish that these proteins are coexpressed in vivo in endothelial cell nuclei. MEF2C expression potentiates SOX18-mediated transcription in vivo and regulates the function of the SOX18 activation domain. Interestingly, MEF2C fails to interact or co-activate transcription with the Ra or RaJ mutant SOX18 proteins. These results suggest that MEF2C and SOX18 may be important partners directing the transcriptional regulation of vascular development.

Animals↗

Machado-Joseph disease is genetically different from Holguin dominant ataxia (SCA2).

Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) and Holguin ataxia (SCA2) are autosomal dominant multisystem degenerations with spinocerebellar involvement that are predominant among people of Portuguese-Azorean and of Cuban descent, respectively. Their clinical distinction may at times be difficult to make in individual patients, due to significant phenotypic overlapping (similar overall age-of-onset and duration of cerebellar ataxia, eye movement, and, often, other common problems. The recent mapping of SCA2 to chromosome 12q provided another candidate region for linkage studies of MJD. Original data on 10 families with Holguin ataxia show that the locus for phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) on chromosome 12q is linked to SCA2 at 4 cM and is thus far its closest marker. The exclusion of linkage 15 cM on each side of PAH in 16 families with MJD shows that these two forms of dominant ataxia are genetically distinct and at different chromosomal locations (nonallelic).

Cuba↗

Colorectal neoplasms detected colonoscopically in at-risk members of colorectal cancer families stratified by the demonstration of DNA microsatellite instability.

This study compared colonoscopic findings in families meeting the Amsterdam criteria (A) for hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) but stratified according to whether the familial cancers showed DNA microsatellite instability. DNA was extracted from paired samples of normal and cancer, and microsatellite instability was analysed at up to six loci. Families were termed replication error positive (RER+) when at least 50% of tumours tested per family were positive. Of 26 families studied 17 were RER+ and 9 were RER-. Cancers in the A/RER- families showed no right-sided predilection (P < 0.001). Colonoscopies have been performed on 182 at-risk members of A/RER+ families and 60 members of A/RER- families. More of the at-risk members of A/RER-families were found to have adenomas at colonoscopy (P = 0.095), but these were smaller than those of A/RER+ families (P = 0.19). The adenoma:carcinoma ratio was twice as high in A/RER- families (13:1) as in A/RER+ families (7:1). One of the A/RER- families had hyperplastic polyposis. The others do not appear to have attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis and are similar to the adenoma families or late-onset colorectal cancer families described by others. This study illustrates the importance of molecular technology in separating HNPCC from syndromes with overlapping phenotypes.

Adenoma↗

Clinical manifestations of trisomy 4p syndrome.

UNLABELLED: Trisomy 4p syndrome is a distinct clinical entity which was noted almost a quarter century ago by Wilson et al. [71] and later was delineated by Gonzalez and colleagues [29]. The variation in the length of duplicated segment usually associated with monosomy of other genetic material which has resulted in confusion and as a result a so-called 4p syndrome could not be recognized without cytogenetic analysis. We wish to draw the attention of clinicians to this subject by presenting the description of over 75 cases including one from our clinic and stress the point that molecular approaches are imperative to characterize this anomaly. After extensive review, it appears that patients retaining at least the distal two-thirds to the entire short arm share an overlapping phenotypic expression that constitutes pure trisomy 4p syndrome which includes prominent glabella, bulbous nose with flat or depressed nasal bridge, retrognathia, pointed chin, short neck with low hairline, enlarged ears with abnormal helix and antihelix, rocker-bottom feet with prominent heel. Arachnodactyly and camptodactyly. Molecular characterization of 4p is imperative. We have also included an extensive bibliography for clinicians who may find it useful as a single reference source for evaluating their future cases. CONCLUSION: The 4p-syndrome is a distinct entity but without cytogenetic evaluation, the syndrome can not be recognized.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

The roles of proteolysis and nuclear localisation in the toxicity of the polyglutamine diseases. A review.

The polyglutamine disorders consist of a group of nine neurodegenerative diseases with overlapping phenotypes, but which affect distinct neuronal subsets, causing neuronal dysfunction and death. In the majority of these, the causative proteins share no homology to other known proteins, or to each other apart from the polyglutamine tract. The polyglutamine tracts themselves are toxic over a disease-specific threshold, and this common feature has suggested a common pathogenesis. The pathogenic mechanism(s) of this group of diseases is hotly debated, with proteolytic cleavage and nuclear accumulation both popular hypotheses. Such cleavage is thought to release toxic fragments containing an expanded polyglutamine tract, and may itself facilitate entry of cytoplasmic polyglutamine proteins to the nucleus. Numerous downstream effects including accumulation and apoptotic activation, misfolding, aggregation, and sequestration of other proteins including transcription factors and chaperones may then be initiated. It is uncertain whether all of the polyglutamine proteins undergo cleavage in vivo. Even in those in which proteolysis has been demonstrated, it remains unclear to what extent this also occurs in the wild-type proteins, or whether it is dependent on, or increased by, the expanded polyglutamine tract. Similarly, in at least one of these disorders (spinocerebellar ataxia type 6), nuclear localisation has not been demonstrated. The contradictory evidence for the production and role of proteolytic fragments and for nuclear localisation in toxicity, reviewed in this article, suggests that neither may be uniformly necessary steps in the pathogenesis of this group of diseases, and that, for all their apparent similarities, the exact pathogenic mechanisms may not be identical in each.

Animals↗

[Small deletion--large effect].

Velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS) or Shprintzen's syndrome leads to cleft palate (69%), heart defects (74%), and characteristic facial dysmorphies as well as learning difficulties (70-90%). There is phenotypic overlap with DiGeorge syndrome (DGA). In 1992, it was shown that patients with VCFS had a partial 22q11 monosomy. The site and size of the deletion in many VCFS patients do not differ from patients with DGS. For the otolaryngologist, it is important to check for cardiac defects if the characteristic middle ear effects and possibly submucosal cleft palate are present. If a combination of these exist, it is advisable to carry out a genetic examination of the child in order to determine whether VCFS is present or not. This is the only way of providing an early diagnosis of this syndrome.

Child↗

A giant novel gene undergoing extensive alternative splicing is severed by a Cornelia de Lange-associated translocation breakpoint at 3q26.3.

Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a rare developmental malformation syndrome characterised by mental handicap, growth retardation, distinctive facial features and limb reduction defects. The vast majority of CdLS cases are sporadic. We carried out a high density bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) microarray comparative genome hybridisation screen but no evidence was found for a consistent pattern of microdeletion/microduplication. As an alternative, we focused on identifying chromosomal regions spanning associated translocation breakpoints. We prioritised the distal 3q region because of the occurrence, in a classical CdLS patient, of a de novo balanced translocation with a breakpoint at 3q26.3 and of reports of phenotypic overlap between cases of mild CdLS and individuals trisomic for the 3q26-q27 region. We show that the 3q26.3 breakpoint severs a previously uncharacterised giant gene, NAALADL2, containing at least 32 exons spanning 1.37 Mb. Northern blot analysis identified up to six different transcripts in the 1-10 kb range with strongest expression in kidney and placenta; embryonic expression was largely confined to duodenal and stomach endoderm, mesonephros, metanephros and pancreas. Transcript analysis identified extensive alternative splicing leading to multiple 5' and 3' untranslated regions and variable coding sequences. Multiple protein isoforms were defined by different N-terminal regions (with at least four alternative initiating methionine codons), and by differential protein truncation/use of alternative C-terminal sequences attributable to alternative splicing/polyadenylation. Outside the N-terminal regions, the predicted proteins showed significant homology to N-acetylated alpha-linked acidic dipeptidase and transferrin receptors. Mutation screening of NAALADL2 in a panel of CdLS patient DNA samples failed to identify patient-specific mutations. We discuss the possibility that the 3q26.3 translocation could nevertheless contribute to pathogenesis.

Alternative Splicing↗

Molecular genetic analysis of a small bowel primitive neuroectodermal tumor.

We present a pediatric peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (pPNET) localized exclusively to the small bowel. The tumor presented in an adolescent male and the diagnosis was confirmed by electron microscopy, CD99 immunopositivity, and molecular genetic analysis that demonstrated an EWS-FLI1 type 2 fusion transcript. This case report and a review of the literature underscore the considerable phenotypic overlap in EWS-related tumors in this site and the necessity for molecular genetic analysis to permit accurate classification.

Adolescent↗

Noonan syndrome and related disorders: alterations in growth and puberty.

Noonan syndrome is a relatively common multiple malformation syndrome with characteristic facies, short stature and congenital heart disease, most commonly pulmonary stenosis (Noonan, Clin Pediatr, 33:548-555, 1994). Recently, a mutation in the PTPN11 gene (Tartaglia, Mehler, Goldberg, Zampino, Brunner, Kremer et al., Nat Genet, 29:465-468, 2001) was found to be present in about 50% of individuals with Noonan syndrome. The phenotype noted in Noonan syndrome is also found in a number of other syndromes which include LEOPARD (Gorlin, Anderson, Blaw, Am J Dis Child, 17:652-662, 1969), Cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome (Reynolds, Neri, Hermann, Blumberg, Coldwell, Miles et al., Am J Med Genet, 28:413-427, 1986) and Costello syndrome (Hennekam, Am J Med Genet, 117C(1):42-48, 2003). All three of these syndromes share similar cardiac defects and all have postnatal short stature. Very recently, HRAS mutations (Aoki, Niihori, Kawame, Kurosawa, Ohashi, Tanaka et al., Nat Genet, 37:1038-1040, 2005) have been found in the Costello syndrome and germline mutations in KRAS and BRAF genes (Rodriguez-Viciana, Tetsu, Tidyman, Estep, Conger, Santa Cruz et al., Nat Genet, 2006; Niihori, Aoki, Narumi, Neri, Cave, Verloes et al., Nat Genet, 38:294-296, 2006) in the Cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome. Phenotypic overlap between these genetic disorders can now be explained since each is caused by germline mutations that are major components of the RAS-MAPK pathway. This pathway plays an important role in growth factor and cytokine signaling as well as cancer pathogenesis.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗