Mosaicism of a Truncating Variant of CASK Causes Congenital Heart Disease and Neurodevelopmental Disorder

Abstract

Introduction: Calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase (CASK) gene mutations cause microcephaly with pontine and cerebellar hypoplasia (MICPCH) and X-linked intellectual disability. Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a rare complication reported in only 4 male patients with full loss-of-function mutations. Here, we report the first male patient with mosaicism of a truncating variant of CASK complicated by CHD.

Case presentation: The patient is a 6-year-old male with MICPCH, ventricular septal defect, and developmental delay. He achieved rolling over but can not speak meaningful words. We identified a somatic mosaic variant of CASK: c.[725=/G>A], p.(W242*) and high mosaic ratios of 90% and 84% for mutant alleles in peripheral blood lymphocytes and skin fibroblasts, respectively. His developmental delay was severe but milder than that of previously reported CHD patients.

Discussion: Truncating CASK variants may be associated with CHD, even in a mosaic state, and even a low normal allele ratio could lengthen survivorship.

Keywords: CASK; Congenital heart disease; Mosaicism; Neurodevelopmental disorders; Truncating variant.