title: Unique family with Townes-Brocks syndrome, SALL1 mutation, and cardiac defects.
abstract: Townes-Brocks syndrome (TBS) is a condition with imperforate anus, hand anomalies, and ear malformations with sensorineural hearing loss. Many cases are sporadic. Within and between families, the phenotype displays striking variability. Recently, the disease-causing gene for TBS was identified as SALL1, a zinc finger transcription factor. Here, we report a three-generation family with seven affected individuals who have a novel SALL1 mutation. Unique cardiac anomalies seen in this family include lethal truncus arteriosus in one patient and a lethal complicated defect, including pulmonary valve atresia, in a second patient. These severe cardiac anomalies have not previously been reported in a familial case of TBS. This family and a review of the literature indicate that cardiac evaluation is warranted in all individuals with this disorder. In addition, hypoplastic thumbs were seen in two individuals in this family and should, therefore, be considered a true feature of TBS.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters, Eastern Virginia Medical School, USA.
authors.forename: W S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Surka
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kohlhase
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Neunert
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: V K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Proud
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D001006:Anus, Imperforate / Q000473:pathology*; D001483:Base Sequence; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D004423:Ear / Q000002:abnormalities; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006228:Hand Deformities, Congenital / Q000473:pathology; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000473:pathology*; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009154:Mutation; D010375:Pedigree; D013577:Syndrome; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C104146:SALL1 protein, human; D014157:Transcription Factors; D004247:DNA