Rapp-Hodgkin syndrome and SHFM1 patients: delineating the p63-Dlx5/Dlx6 pathway

Abstract

Rapp-Hodgkin Syndrome (RHS) is a genetic disorder resulting from mutations in the TP63 gene encoding p63 transcription factor. p63 is directly associated with a cis-regulatory element on chromosome 7q21 that controls the expression of DLX5 and DLX6 genes which are involved in craniofacial abnormalities and ectrodactyly or split hand/foot malformation (SHFM). Chromosomal deletions on 7q21 locus can result in loss of DXL5/DLX6 and/or in loss/disruption of cis-regulatory elements, at which p63 binds. We report two patients that have in common a p63-Dlx5/Dlx6 pathway dysregulation. One showed growth retardation, craniofacial dysmorphism, syndactyly, developmental delay and a de novo deletion (~8.5Mb) on chromosome 7q21.13-q21.3, including DLX5 and DLX6. The second patient with a clinical diagnosis of RHS showed a de novo heterozygous missense mutation, c. 401G>A (p.G134D), in TP63 (exon 4). Our findings may contribute to a greater understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms underlying disorders caused by TP63 mutations.