19p13.2 microduplication causes a Sotos syndrome-like phenotype and alters gene expression.

Abstract

Up to 90% of individuals affected by Sotos syndrome have a pathogenic alteration of NSD1 (encodes nuclear receptor-binding Su-var, enhancer of zeste, and trithorax domain protein 1), a histone methyltransferase that functions as both a transcriptional activator and a repressor. Genomic copy number variations may also cause a Sotos-like phenotype. We evaluated a three-generation family segregating a Sotos-like disorder characterized by typical facial features, overgrowth, learning disabilities, and advanced bone age. Affected individuals did not have a detectable NSD1 mutation, but rather were found to have a 1.9 Mb microduplication of 19p13.2 with breakpoints in two highly homologous Alu elements. Because the duplication included the DNA methyltransferase gene (DNMT1), we assessed DNA methylation of peripheral blood and buccal cell DNA and detected no alterations. We also examined peripheral blood gene expression and found evidence for increased expression of genes within the duplicated region. We conclude that microduplication of 19p13.2 is a novel genomic disorder characterized by variable neurocognitive disability, overgrowth, and facial dysmorphism similar to Sotos syndrome. Failed compensation of gene duplication at the transcriptional level, as seen in peripheral blood, supports gene dosage as the cause of this disorder.

• Authors: A M Lehman, C du Souich, D Chai, P Eydoux, J L Huang, A K Fok, L Avila, J Swingland, A D Delaney, B McGillivray, D Goldowitz, B Argiropoulos, M S Kobor, C F Boerkoel
• Journal: Clinical genetics (Clin Genet) Vol. 81 Issue 1 Pg. 56-63 (Jan 2012) ISSN: 1399-0004 [Electronic] Denmark
• PMID: 21204797 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Chemical References

• DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase 1
• DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases
• DNMT1 protein, human

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Alu Elements
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Chromosome Duplication
• Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19 (genetics)
• Craniofacial Abnormalities (genetics)
• DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase 1
• DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases (genetics)
• DNA Methylation
• DNA Mutational Analysis
• Female
• Gene Expression Regulation
• Genome, Human
• Humans
• Infant
• Learning Disabilities (genetics)
• Leukocytes, Mononuclear (cytology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
• Pedigree
• Phenotype
• Sotos Syndrome (genetics)