Minifascicular neuropathy: a new concept of the human disease caused by desert hedgehog gene mutation

Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 2002 Mar;48(2):187-9.

Abstract

We recently found a patient with 46,XY partial gonadal dysgenesis who presented with polyneuropathy. Sural nerve pathology revealed peculiar findings characterized by extensive minifascicular formation and with a decreased density of myelinated fibers. We found in the patient, a homozygous missense mutation at the initiating codon in exon 1 of the desert hedgehog (DHH) gene, which predicts a failure of translation of the gene. These data demonstrate that DHH is a key molecule in both male gonadal differentiation and perineurial formation in peripheral nerves.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Gonadal Dysgenesis, 46,XY / genetics*
  • Hedgehog Proteins
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mutation*
  • Peripheral Nerves / embryology
  • Polyneuropathies / genetics*
  • Sex Determination Processes
  • Trans-Activators / genetics*

Substances

  • Hedgehog Proteins
  • Trans-Activators