A novel nonsense mutation, E150X, in the SOX9 gene underlying campomelic dysplasia

Campomelic dysplasia (CD) is an autosomal dominant skeletal malformation syndrome with features including bowed lower limbs with pretibial skin dimpling, hypoplastic scapulae and pelvic bones, and 11 pairs of ribs. Mutations in the SOX9 gene have been identified to cause CD. The gene encodes a transcription factor containing a dimerization, a high mobility group, and a C-terminal transactivation (TA) domain. Up to now, 35 SOX9 mutations have been published. In the present study, we describe a Thai girl with clinically and radiologically typical CD. Direct sequencing analysis of the PCR products for the entire coding region of SOX9 revealed that she was heterozygous for a novel 448G > T in exon 2 of SOX9. The DNA change was expected to result in E150X and loss of the entire TA domain. This result further supports that SOX9 is the only gene, discovered to date, responsible for CD across different populations and that the TA domain is important to the function of the normal SOX9.

A RET C634R mutation in a Thai female with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN 2A) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by medullary thyroid carcinoma, pheochromocytoma and primary hyperparathyroidism. The first tumor is usually a medullary thyroid carcinoma. MEN 2A is caused by mutations in the RET proto-oncogene. The detection of mutations in the gene has important diagnostic and therapeutic impacts. Genetic testing of at-risk family members allows one to identify individuals carrying the mutant alleles with very high specificity and sensitivity. Subsequently, total thyroidectomy, recommended at 5 years of age, can be performed in a prophylactic attempt. The authors performed a molecular analysis to identify a mutation in a Thai woman with MEN 2A. She was found to be heterozygous for 1900T>C (C634R). The patient had two daughters who were not found to carry the mutation. The newly available genetic test for patients with MEN 2A in Thailand makes possible accurate DNA-based diagnosis of their at-risk family members before development of the disease, which has important therapeutic impacts for them.