TY - JOUR
T1 - A multi-exon deletion within WWOX is associated with a 46,XY disorder of sex development
AU - White, Stefan
AU - Hewitt, Jacqueline
AU - Turbitt, Erin
AU - van der Zwan, Yvonne
AU - Hersmus, Remko
AU - Drop, Stenvert
AU - Koopman, Peter
AU - Harley, Vincent
AU - Cools, Martine
AU - Looijenga, Leendert
AU - Sinclair, Andrew
N1 - Funding Information:
We thank the patient and family members for contributing to this research. This study was financially supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (334314 to PK, VH and AS, 546478 and 491293 to SW) and the Victorian Government’s Operational Infrastructure Support Program.
PY - 2012/3
Y1 - 2012/3
N2 - Disorders of sex development (DSD) are congenital conditions where chromosomal, gonad or genital development is atypical. In a significant proportion of 46,XY DSD cases it is not possible to identify a causative mutation, making genetic counseling difficult and potentially hindering optimal treatment. Here, we describe the analysis of a 46,XY DSD patient that presented at birth with ambiguous genitalia. Histological analysis of the surgically removed gonads showed bilateral undifferentiated gonadal tissue and immature testis, both containing malignant germ cells. We screened genomic DNA from this patient for deletions and duplications using an Illumina whole-genome SNP microarray. This analysis revealed a heterozygous deletion within the WWOX gene on chromosome 16, removing exons 6-8. Analysis of parental DNA showed that the deletion was inherited from the mother. cDNA analysis confirmed that the deletion maintained the reading frame, with exon 5 being spliced directly onto exon 9. This deletion is the first description of a germline rearrangement affecting the coding sequence of WWOX in humans. Previously described Wwox knockout mouse models showed gonadal abnormalities, supporting a role for WWOX in human gonad development.
AB - Disorders of sex development (DSD) are congenital conditions where chromosomal, gonad or genital development is atypical. In a significant proportion of 46,XY DSD cases it is not possible to identify a causative mutation, making genetic counseling difficult and potentially hindering optimal treatment. Here, we describe the analysis of a 46,XY DSD patient that presented at birth with ambiguous genitalia. Histological analysis of the surgically removed gonads showed bilateral undifferentiated gonadal tissue and immature testis, both containing malignant germ cells. We screened genomic DNA from this patient for deletions and duplications using an Illumina whole-genome SNP microarray. This analysis revealed a heterozygous deletion within the WWOX gene on chromosome 16, removing exons 6-8. Analysis of parental DNA showed that the deletion was inherited from the mother. cDNA analysis confirmed that the deletion maintained the reading frame, with exon 5 being spliced directly onto exon 9. This deletion is the first description of a germline rearrangement affecting the coding sequence of WWOX in humans. Previously described Wwox knockout mouse models showed gonadal abnormalities, supporting a role for WWOX in human gonad development.
KW - Base Sequence
KW - Comparative Genomic Hybridization
KW - Disorder of Sex Development, 46,XY/diagnosis
KW - Exons
KW - Humans
KW - Infant, Newborn
KW - Male
KW - Oxidoreductases/genetics
KW - Sequence Deletion
KW - Tumor Suppressor Proteins/genetics
KW - WW Domain-Containing Oxidoreductase
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84857192381&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1038/ejhg.2011.204
DO - 10.1038/ejhg.2011.204
M3 - Article
C2 - 22071891
SN - 1018-4813
VL - 20
SP - 348
EP - 351
JO - European journal of human genetics : EJHG
JF - European journal of human genetics : EJHG
IS - 3
ER -