Absence of mutations in HCRT, HCRTR1 and HCRTR2 in patients with ROHHAD

Respir Physiol Neurobiol. 2016 Jan 15:221:59-63. doi: 10.1016/j.resp.2015.11.002. Epub 2015 Nov 10.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Rapid-onset obesity with hypothalamic dysfunction, hypoventilation, and autonomic dysregulation (ROHHAD) is a rare pediatric disease of unknown cause. Here, in response to a recent case report describing a ROHHAD patient who suffered from secondary narcolepsy confirmed by an absence of hypocretin-1 in the cerebrospinal fluid, we consider whether the ROHHAD phenotype is owing to one or more mutations in genes specific to hypocretin protein signalling.

Methods: DNA samples from 16 ROHHAD patients were analyzed using a combination of next-generation and Sanger sequencing to identify exonic sequence variations in three genes: HCRT, HCRTR1, and HCRTR2.

Results: No rare or novel mutations were identified in the exons of HCRT, HCRTR1, or HCRTR2 genes in a set of 16 ROHHAD patients.

Conclusions: ROHHAD is highly unlikely to be caused by mutations in the exons of the genes for hypocretin and its two receptors.

Keywords: Autonomic dysregulation; Exome sequencing; Genes; HCRT; HCRTR1; HCRTR2; Hyothalamic dysfunction; Hypocretin; Hypoventilation; Mutations; Narcolepsy; Next-generation sequencing; Obesity; Orexin; ROHHAD.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / complications
  • Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / genetics*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypothalamic Diseases / complications
  • Hypothalamic Diseases / genetics*
  • Mutation / genetics*
  • Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome / complications
  • Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome / genetics*
  • Orexin Receptors / genetics*
  • Orexins / genetics*

Substances

  • HCRT protein, human
  • HCRTR1 protein, human
  • HCRTR2 protein, human
  • Orexin Receptors
  • Orexins