title: De novo MECP2 frameshift mutation in a boy with moderate mental retardation, obesity and gynaecomastia.
abstract: Rett syndrome (RTT) is an X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the MECP2 gene, with apparent lethality in male embryos. However, recent studies indicate that mutations in the MECP2 gene can cause congenital encephalopathy, an Angelman-like phenotype and even nonspecific mental retardation in males. We report on a 10-year-old boy with moderate mental retardation, hypotonia, obesity and gynaecomastia and a de novo 2-bp deletion in the MECP2 gene that resulted in a frameshift and premature stop codon. As some of the clinical features were suggestive of the Prader-Willi syndrome, it might be worthwhile screening for MECP2 mutations in patients with an atypical Prader-Willi phenotype but without the characteristic abnormalities on chromosome 15q. This report contributes to the phenotypic knowledge of male patients with MECP2 mutations. Moreover, this is the first reported male case of a de novo MECP2 mutation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Genetics, University Medical Center, St Radboud, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. T.Kleefstra@antrg.an.nl
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kleefstra
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Yntema
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Oudakker
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Romein
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sistermans
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Nillessen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: van Bokhoven
authors.forename: B B A
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: de Vries
authors.forename: B C J
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Hamel
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D016368:Frameshift Mutation; D006177:Gynecomastia / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D051783:Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2; D009765:Obesity / Q000235:genetics*; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D015518:Rett Syndrome / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C497392:MECP2 protein, human; D051783:Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2; D012097:Repressor Proteins