'Splitting versus lumping': Temple-Baraitser and Zimmermann-Laband Syndromes.
KCNH1 mutations have recently been described in six individuals with Temple-Baraitser syndrome (TMBTS) and six individuals with Zimmermann-Laband syndrome (ZLS). TMBTS is characterized by intellectual disability (ID), epilepsy, dysmorphic facial features, broad thumbs and great toes with absent/hypoplastic nails. ZLS is characterized by facial dysmorphism including coarsening of the face and a large nose, gingival enlargement, ID, hypoplasia of terminal phalanges and nails and hypertrichosis. In this study, we present four additional unrelated individuals with de novo KCNH1 mutations from ID cohorts. We report on a novel recurrent pathogenic KCNH1 variant in three individuals and add a fourth individual with a previously TMBTS-associated KCNH1 variant. Neither TMBTS nor ZLS was suspected clinically. KCNH1 encodes a voltage-gated potassium channel, which is not only highly expressed in the central nervous system, but also seems to play an important role during development. Clinical evaluation of our mutation-positive individuals revealed that one of the main characteristics of TMBTS/ZLS, namely the pronounced nail hypoplasia of the great toes and thumbs, can be mild and develop over time. Clinical comparison of all published KCNH1 mutation-positive individuals revealed a similar facial but variable limb phenotype. KCNH1 mutation-positive individuals present with severe ID, neonatal hypotonia, hypertelorism, broad nasal tip, wide mouth, nail a/hypoplasia, a proximal implanted and long thumb and long great toes. In summary, we show that the phenotypic variability of individuals with KCNH1 mutations is more pronounced than previously expected, and we discuss whether KCNH1 mutations allow for "lumping" or for "splitting" of TMBTS and ZLS.
Institut für Humangenetik, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45122, Essen, Germany. nuria.braemswig@uni-due.de.
Nuria C
NC
Bramswig
Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
C W
CW
Ockeloen
Institut für Humangenetik, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45122, Essen, Germany.
J C
JC
Czeschik
Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
A J
AJ
van Essen
Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
R
R
Pfundt
Department of Pediatrics, Nijmegen Center for Mitochondrial Disorders, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
J
J
Smeitink
Department of Pediatric Neurology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
B T
BT
Poll-The
Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
H
H
Engels
Institute of Human Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.|Institute of Human Genetics, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.
T M
TM
Strom
Institut für Humangenetik, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45122, Essen, Germany.
D
D
Wieczorek
Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
T
T
Kleefstra
Institut für Humangenetik, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45122, Essen, Germany.
H-J
HJ
Lüdecke
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D000293:Adolescent; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019465:Craniofacial Abnormalities / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D051638:Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005351:Fibromatosis, Gingival / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D006214:Hallux / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology; D006228:Hand Deformities, Congenital / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D020125:Mutation, Missense; D009264:Nails, Malformed / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D013933:Thumb / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology
D051638:Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels; C496884:KCNH1 protein, human