Common genetic causes of holoprosencephaly are limited to a small set of evolutionarily conserved driver genes of midline development coordinated by TGF-β, hedgehog, and FGF signaling

Hum Mutat. 2018 Oct;39(10):1416-1427. doi: 10.1002/humu.23590. Epub 2018 Jul 26.

Abstract

Here, we applied targeted capture to examine 153 genes representative of all the major vertebrate developmental pathways among 333 probands to rank their relative significance as causes for holoprosencephaly (HPE). We now show that comparisons of variant transmission versus nontransmission among 136 HPE Trios indicates some reported genes now lack confirmation, while novel genes are implicated. Furthermore, we demonstrate that variation of modest intrinsic effect can synergize with these driver mutations as gene modifiers.

Keywords: BMP; FGF; HPE; NODAL; NOTCH; Nextgen sequencing; SHH; WNT; holoprosencephaly.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / genetics
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / metabolism*
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genetic Association Studies
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Genotype
  • Hedgehog Proteins / genetics
  • Hedgehog Proteins / metabolism*
  • Holoprosencephaly / diagnosis
  • Holoprosencephaly / genetics*
  • Holoprosencephaly / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Inheritance Patterns
  • Mutation
  • Phenotype
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Syndrome
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / genetics
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism*

Substances

  • Hedgehog Proteins
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors