Gonad development in Drash and Frasier syndromes depends on WT1 mutations.
The study of the gonads of 8 cases of Drash syndrome (6 ambiguous males, 2 females) and of 2 Frasier syndrome shows that WT1 mutations gives a dysgenetic testis which is the cause of the genital ambiguity observed at birth. By contrast the same mutations have no effect on ovary development giving normal females. However intron mutations in KTS with isoforms imbalance of WT1 proteins cause streak gonads with a female phenotype in XY patients. In consequence WT1 mutations are the cause of a spectrum of male genital malformations associated with glomerulonephritis and tumors. The absence of WT1 protein detection in sertoli cells shown by immunohistochemistry for 3 cases suggests an imprinting effect of the normal WT1 allele promotor rather than a low level of protein production. A caryotype is mandatory for a correct diagnosis.
Jaubert
Francis
F
Service d'Anatomie et de Cytologie Pathologiques, Hôpital Necker-Enfants-Malades, 75743 Paris Cedex 15 (AP-HP, Université René Descartes), France.
Vasiliu
Vorel
V
Patey-Mariaud de Serre
Natacha
N
Auber
Frédéric
F
Jeanpierre
Cecile
C
Gubler
Marie-Claire
MC
Nihoul-Fékété
Claire
C
Fellous
Marc
M
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D030321:Denys-Drash Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006066:Gonads / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009154:Mutation; D025721:WT1 Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*
D025721:WT1 Proteins