Ocular and craniofacial phenotypes in a large Brazilian family with congenital aniridia. (16th January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fernandes‐Lima, Z.S.; Paixão‐Côrtes, V.R.; de Andrade, A.K.M.; Fernandes, A.S.; Coronado, B.N.L.; Monte Filho, H.P.; Santos, M.J.; de Omena Filho, R.L.; Biondi, F.C.; Ruiz‐Linares, A.; Ramallo, V.; Hünemeier, T.; Schuler‐Faccini, L.; Monlleó, I.L.
• Is Part Of: Clinical genetics. Volume 87:Number 1(2015:Jan.)
• Page Start: 68
• Page End: 73
• Publication Date: 2014-01-16
• Subjects: Medical genetics -- Periodicals; 616.0420
• DOI: 10.1111/cge.12329
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0009-9163

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="cge12329-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p id="cge12329-para-0001">Congenital aniridia is a rare genetic disorder characterized by varying degrees of iris hypoplasia that are associated with additional ocular abnormalities. More than 90% of the causal mutations identified are found in the <italic>PAX6</italic> gene, a transcription factor of critical importance in the process of neurogenesis and ocular development. Here, we investigate clinical, molecular, and craniofacial features of a large Brazilian family with congenital aniridia. Among the 56 eyes evaluated, phenotype variation encompassed bilateral total aniridia to mild iris defects with extensive variation between eyes of the same individual. <italic>PAX6</italic> molecular screening indicated a heterozygous splice mutation (c.141 + 1G>A). Thus, we hypothesize that this splicing event may cause variation in the expression of the wild‐type transcript, which may lead to the observed variation in phenotype. Affected individuals were more brachycephalic, even though their face height and cephalic circumference were not significantly different when compared to those of non‐affected relatives. From this, we infer that the head shape of affected subjects may also be a result of the <italic>PAX6</italic> splice‐site mutation. Our data summarize the clinical variability associated with the ocular phenotype in a large family with aniridia, and help shed light on the role of <italic>PAX6</italic> in neurocranial development.</p> </abstract>