Back to Search Start Over

The 2q23.1 microdeletion syndrome: clinical and behavioural phenotype.

Authors :
van Bon BW
Koolen DA
Brueton L
McMullan D
Lichtenbelt KD
Adès LC
Peters G
Gibson K
Moloney S
Novara F
Pramparo T
Dalla Bernardina B
Zoccante L
Balottin U
Piazza F
Pecile V
Gasparini P
Guerci V
Kets M
Pfundt R
de Brouwer AP
Veltman JA
de Leeuw N
Wilson M
Antony J
Reitano S
Luciano D
Fichera M
Romano C
Brunner HG
Zuffardi O
de Vries BB
Source :
European journal of human genetics : EJHG [Eur J Hum Genet] 2010 Feb; Vol. 18 (2), pp. 163-70. Date of Electronic Publication: 2009 Oct 07.
Publication Year :
2010

Abstract

Six submicroscopic deletions comprising chromosome band 2q23.1 in patients with severe mental retardation (MR), short stature, microcephaly and epilepsy have been reported, suggesting that haploinsufficiency of one or more genes in the 2q23.1 region might be responsible for the common phenotypic features in these patients. In this study, we report the molecular and clinical characterisation of nine new 2q23.1 deletion patients and a clinical update on two previously reported patients. All patients were mentally retarded with pronounced speech delay and additional abnormalities including short stature, seizures, microcephaly and coarse facies. The majority of cases presented with stereotypic repetitive behaviour, a disturbed sleep pattern and a broad-based gait. These features led to the initial clinical impression of Angelman, Rett or Smith-Magenis syndromes in several patients. The overlapping 2q23.1 deletion region in all 15 patients comprises only one gene, namely, MBD5. Interestingly, MBD5 is a member of the methyl CpG-binding domain protein family, which also comprises MECP2, mutated in Rett's syndrome. Another gene in the 2q23.1 region, EPC2, was deleted in 12 patients who had a broader phenotype than those with a deletion of MBD5 only. EPC2 is a member of the polycomb protein family, involved in heterochromatin formation and might be involved in causing MR. Patients with a 2q23.1 microdeletion present with a variable phenotype and the diagnosis should be considered in mentally retarded children with coarse facies, seizures, disturbed sleeping patterns and additional specific behavioural problems.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1476-5438
Volume :
18
Issue :
2
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
European journal of human genetics : EJHG
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
19809484
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1038/ejhg.2009.152