The phenotype of human STK4 deficiency

Blood. 2012 Apr 12;119(15):3450-7. doi: 10.1182/blood-2011-09-378158. Epub 2012 Jan 31.

Abstract

We describe a novel clinical phenotype associating T- and B-cell lymphopenia, intermittent neutropenia, and atrial septal defects in 3 members of a consanguineous kindred. Their clinical histories included recurrent bacterial infections, viral infections, mucocutaneous candidiasis, cutaneous warts, and skin abscesses. Homozygosity mapping and candidate gene sequencing revealed a homozygous premature termination mutation in the gene STK4 (serine threonine kinase 4, formerly having the symbol MST1). STK4 is the human ortholog of Drosophila Hippo, the central constituent of a highly conserved pathway controlling cell growth and apoptosis. STK4-deficient lymphocytes and neutrophils exhibit enhanced loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and increased susceptibility to apoptosis. STK4 deficiency is a novel human primary immunodeficiency syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child, Preschool
  • Consanguinity
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / blood
  • Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / complications
  • Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / genetics*
  • Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / immunology
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Iran / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Neutropenia / blood
  • Neutropenia / etiology
  • Neutropenia / genetics*
  • Neutropenia / immunology
  • Pedigree
  • Phenotype
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / deficiency
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics*

Substances

  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • STK4 protein, human
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases