title: A microdeletion proximal of the critical deletion region is associated with mild Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome.
abstract: It is generally accepted that the facial phenotype of Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome is caused by deletions of either Wolf-Hirschhorn critical regions 1 or 2 (WHSCR 1-2). Here, we identify a 432 kb deletion located 600 kb proximal to both WHSCR1-2 in a patient with a WHS facial phenotype. Seven genes are underlying this deletion region including FAM193a, ADD1, NOP14, GRK4, MFSD10, SH3BP2, TNIP2. The clinical diagnosis of WHS facial phenotype was confirmed by 3D facial analysis using dense surface modeling. Our results suggest that the WHSCR1-2 flanking sequence contributes directly or indirectly to the severity of WHS. Sequencing the Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome candidate 1 and 2 genes did not reveal any mutations. Long range position effects of the deletion that could influence gene expression within the WHSCR were excluded in EBV cell lines derived from patient lymphoblasts. We hypothesize that either (1) this locus harbors regulatory sequences which affect gene expression in the WHSCR1-2 in a defined temporal and spatial developmental window or (2) that this locus is additive to deletions of WHSCR1-2 increasing the phenotypic expression.
authors.affiliation: Center for Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Femke
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hannes
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hammond
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Quarrell
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Fryns
authors.forename: Koenraad
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Devriendt
authors.forename: Joris R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Vermeesch
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000235:genetics; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005145:Face / Q000002:abnormalities; D015870:Gene Expression; D011495:Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D017384:Sequence Deletion; D035602:Transcriptional Elongation Factors / Q000235:genetics; D054877:Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C120899:NELFA protein, human; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D035602:Transcriptional Elongation Factors; D011495:Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase; C419586:NSD2 protein, human