Search for genetic modifiers of IRF6 and genotype-phenotype correlations in Van der Woude and popliteal pterygium syndromes.
Van der Woude syndrome is the most common form of syndromic orofacial clefting, accounting for 1-2% of all patients with cleft lip and/or cleft palate. Van der Woude and popliteal pterygium syndromes are caused by mutations in IRF6, but phenotypic variability within and among families with either syndrome suggests that other genetic factors contribute to the phenotypes. The aim of this study was to identify common variants acting as genetic modifiers of IRF6 as well as genotype-phenotype correlations based on mutation type and location. We identified an association between mutations in the DNA-binding domain of IRF6 and limb defects (including pterygia). Although we did not detect formally significant associations with the genes tested, borderline associations suggest several genes that could modify the VWS phenotype, including FOXE1, TGFB3, and TFAP2A. Some of these genes are hypothesized to be part of the IRF6 gene regulatory network and may suggest additional genes for future study when larger sample sizes are also available. We also show that families with the Van de Woude phenotype but in whom no mutations have been identified have a lower frequency of cleft lip, suggesting there may be locus and/or mutation class differences in Van de Woude syndrome.
Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA.
Elizabeth J
EJ
Leslie
Department of Medical Genetics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
Jennifer L
JL
Mancuso
Departments of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.
Brian C
BC
Schutte
Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics, Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, Department of Human Genetics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
Margaret E
ME
Cooper
Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA.
Kate M
KM
Durda
Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA.
Jamie
J
L'Heureux
Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA.
Theresa M
TM
Zucchero
Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics, Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, Department of Human Genetics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
Mary L
ML
Marazita
Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA.
Jeffrey C
JC
Murray
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000235:genetics*; D000483:Alleles; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000235:genetics*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000235:genetics*; D003560:Cysts / Q000235:genetics*; D005124:Eye Abnormalities / Q000235:genetics*; D005190:Family; D005385:Fingers / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005787:Gene Frequency; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D005838:Genotype; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D050835:Interferon Regulatory Factors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000002:abnormalities*; D008046:Lip / Q000002:abnormalities*; D038061:Lower Extremity Deformities, Congenital / Q000235:genetics*; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D054730:Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs / Q000235:genetics; D013576:Syndactyly / Q000235:genetics*; D014564:Urogenital Abnormalities / Q000235:genetics*
C109803:IRF6 protein, human; D050835:Interferon Regulatory Factors
Van der Woude; cleft; lip pit; modifier gene; popliteal pterygium