BMS1 is mutated in aplasia cutis congenita

PLoS Genet. 2013 Jun;9(6):e1003573. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003573. Epub 2013 Jun 13.

Abstract

Aplasia cutis congenita (ACC) manifests with localized skin defects at birth of unknown cause, mostly affecting the scalp vertex. Here, genome-wide linkage analysis and exome sequencing was used to identify the causative mutation in autosomal dominant ACC. A heterozygous Arg-to-His missense mutation (p.R930H) in the ribosomal GTPase BMS1 is identified in ACC that is associated with a delay in 18S rRNA maturation, consistent with a role of BMS1 in processing of pre-rRNAs of the small ribosomal subunit. Mutations that affect ribosomal function can result in a cell cycle defect and ACC skin fibroblasts with the BMS1 p.R930H mutation show a reduced cell proliferation rate due to a p21-mediated G1/S phase transition delay. Unbiased comparative global transcript and proteomic analyses of ACC fibroblasts with this mutation confirm a central role of increased p21 levels for the ACC phenotype, which are associated with downregulation of heterogenous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) and serine/arginine-rich splicing factors (SRSFs). Functional enrichment analysis of the proteomic data confirmed a defect in RNA post-transcriptional modification as the top-ranked cellular process altered in ACC fibroblasts. The data provide a novel link between BMS1, the cell cycle, and skin morphogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Proliferation
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Ectodermal Dysplasia / genetics*
  • Ectodermal Dysplasia / pathology
  • Female
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / genetics*
  • Genetic Linkage
  • Genome, Human
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Morphogenesis / genetics*
  • Mutation, Missense
  • Pedigree
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Proteomics
  • RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / genetics*
  • Ribosomes / genetics
  • Ribosomes / metabolism
  • Scalp / growth & development
  • Scalp / pathology

Substances

  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases

Grants and funding

This study was supported by institutional funds of Massachusetts General Hospital to the author. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.