Deletions in PITX1 cause a spectrum of lower-limb malformations including mirror-image polydactyly

Eur J Hum Genet. 2012 Jun;20(6):705-8. doi: 10.1038/ejhg.2011.264. Epub 2012 Jan 18.

Abstract

PITX1 is a bicoid-related homeodomain transcription factor implicated in vertebrate hindlimb development. Recently, mutations in PITX1 have been associated with autosomal-dominant clubfoot. In addition, one affected individual showed a polydactyly and right-sided tibial hemimelia. We now report on PITX1 deletions in two fetuses with a high-degree polydactyly, that is, mirror-image polydactyly. Analysis of DNA from additional individuals with isolated lower-limb malformations and higher-degree polydactyly identified a third individual with long-bone deficiency and preaxial polydactyly harboring a heterozygous 35 bp deletion in PITX1. The findings demonstrate that mutations in PITX1 can cause a broad spectrum of isolated lower-limb malformations including clubfoot, deficiency of long bones, and mirror-image polydactyly.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Bone Diseases, Developmental / genetics
  • Bone Diseases, Developmental / metabolism
  • Clubfoot / genetics
  • Clubfoot / pathology
  • Ectromelia / genetics
  • Ectromelia / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Heterozygote
  • Humans
  • Lower Extremity / embryology
  • Lower Extremity / pathology*
  • Paired Box Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Polydactyly / genetics*
  • Polydactyly / pathology
  • Sequence Deletion
  • Tibia / abnormalities
  • Tibia / metabolism

Substances

  • Paired Box Transcription Factors
  • homeobox protein PITX1

Supplementary concepts

  • Absence of Tibia