MEF2C deletions and mutations versus duplications: a clinical comparison

Eur J Med Genet. 2013 May;56(5):260-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2013.01.011. Epub 2013 Feb 10.

Abstract

5q14.3 deletions including the MEF2C gene have been identified to date using genomic arrays in patients with severe developmental delay or intellectual disability, stereotypic behavior, epilepsy, cerebral malformations and a facial gestalt not really distinctive though characterized by broad and/or high, bulging forehead, upslanting palpebral fissures, flat nasal root and bridge, small, upturned nose, hypotonic small mouth resulting in cupid bow/tented upper lip. MEF2C mutations have been also identified in patients with overlapping phenotype so that it is considered the gene responsible for the 5q14.3 deletion syndrome. To date, one single duplication including MEF2C has been reported in a patient with intellectual disability but its clinical significance remains uncertain also because of the large size of the imbalance. Here we present two further patients with 5q14.3 duplications including MEF2C. Their phenotype indeed suggest the pathogenic effect of the MEF2C duplication although other duplicated genes also brain expressed might contribute to the clinical features. In none of them a clear-cut syndrome can be identified. A comparison between MEF2C deleted/mutated and duplicated patients is also presented.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Chromosome Deletion*
  • Chromosome Duplication*
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 5 / genetics*
  • Comparative Genomic Hybridization
  • Epilepsy / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Infant
  • Intellectual Disability / genetics
  • MEF2 Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Muscle Hypotonia / genetics
  • Mutation*
  • Phenotype
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • CETN3 protein, human
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • MEF2 Transcription Factors
  • MEF2C protein, human