A Novel Missense Mutation 224G>T (R75M) in SRY Coding Region Interferes with Nuclear Import and Results in 46, XY Complete Gonadal Dysgenesis

PLoS One. 2016 Dec 28;11(12):e0168484. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0168484. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

SRY-mutation-caused sex reversal is a rare disease and mostly associated with a de novo mutation since the patients with defective SRY is infertile. There are many reports about SRY-mutation associated 46, XY ovarian disorder of sex development (DSD), but few described their molecular mechanism. Here we report a de novo mutation 224G>T (R75M) in SRY associated with a phenotypic female, 46, XY karyotype and dysgerminoma. The wild and mutated SRY were cloned into recombinant plasmid and expressed in cells in vitro, the result showed the mutated SRY is greatly accumulated in cytoplasm while the wild type SRY is mostly localized in nucleus. To make sure no other genes were involved, we performed the trio-based whole exome sequencing using the DNA samples from the proband and the parents, and no mutations were identified especially in DHH, NR0B1, NR5A1, SOX9 and MAP3K1, indicating the de novo mutation in SRY is the single defect responsible for the female sex reversal. We also used bioinformatics simulation analysis to predict impact of the mutation on SRY function, and find the R75 in wild type SRY can form a hydrogen bond with serine at 91 (S91) that make the SRY protein well fit into the minor groove of target DNA, while the M75 in the mutated SRY can't. Finally, we reviewed SRY mutations based on the available references and analyzed the mutation distribution patterns according to density and continuity, which may be useful for further study of the SRY structure, function, and its relatedness with DSD.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus / genetics*
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Gonadal Dysgenesis, 46,XY / genetics*
  • Gonadal Dysgenesis, 46,XY / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Mutation, Missense / genetics*
  • Open Reading Frames / genetics*
  • Sex-Determining Region Y Protein / genetics*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • SRY protein, human
  • Sex-Determining Region Y Protein

Grants and funding

This work was supported by Hebei Province from Fund of the Hundred Talents Program (2013 E2012100011) for Dr. Wufang Fan and by Shandong Province from Fund of Natural Research Joint Special (ZR2012CL10) for Dr. Lin Li.