Contributions of PHOX2B in the pathogenesis of Hirschsprung disease

PLoS One. 2013;8(1):e54043. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0054043. Epub 2013 Jan 14.

Abstract

Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is a congenital malformation of the hindgut resulting from a disruption of neural crest cell migration during embryonic development. It has a complex genetic aetiology with several genes involved in its pathogenesis. PHOX2B plays a key function in the development of neural crest derivatives, and heterozygous mutations cause a complex dysautonomia associating HSCR, Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome (CCHS) and neuroblastoma (NB) in various combinations. In order to determine the role of PHOX2B in isolated HSCR, we performed a mutational screening in a cohort of 207 Spanish HSCR patients. Our most relevant finding has been the identification of a de novo and novel deletion (c.393_410del18) in a patient with HSCR. Results of in silico and functional assays support its pathogenic effect related to HSCR. Therefore our results support that PHOX2B loss-of-function is a rare cause of HSCR phenotype.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Case-Control Studies
  • Computational Biology
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Female
  • Hirschsprung Disease / genetics*
  • Hirschsprung Disease / pathology*
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*

Substances

  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • NBPhox protein
  • Transcription Factors