Publications by authors named "Stephanie Demuth"

Article Synopsis
  • Monilethrix is a rare genetic hair disorder characterized by fragile hair with a beaded structure and potential keratosis pilaris or nail issues, linked to mutations in specific genes (KRT81, KRT83, KRT86 for dominant forms; DSG4 for recessive).
  • This study aimed to uncover new genetic mutations in families with unexplained cases of autosomal-dominant monilethrix and to explore how these variants disrupt cell function.
  • Through exome sequencing, researchers identified a significant mutation (c.1081G>T) in the KRT31 gene that affects keratin production, resulting in altered protein structure and function, confirmed through various laboratory techniques.
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BACKGROUNDDeciphering the function of the many genes previously classified as uncharacterized open reading frame (ORF) would complete our understanding of a cell's function and its pathophysiology.METHODSWhole-exome sequencing, yeast 2-hybrid and transcriptome analyses, and molecular characterization were performed in this study to uncover the function of the C2orf69 gene.RESULTSWe identified loss-of-function mutations in the uncharacterized C2orf69 gene in 8 individuals with brain abnormalities involving hypomyelination and microcephaly, liver dysfunction, and recurrent autoinflammation.

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Background: Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS) is an imprinting disorder which is characterised by severe primordial growth retardation, relative macrocephaly and a typical facial gestalt. The clinical heterogeneity of SRS is reflected by a broad spectrum of molecular changes with hypomethylation in 11p15 and maternal uniparental disomy of chromosome 7 (upd(7)mat) as the most frequent findings. Monogenetic causes are rare, but a clinical overlap with numerous other disorders has been reported.

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De novo pathogenic variants in CNOT3 have recently been reported in a developmental delay disorder (intellectual developmental disorder with speech delay, autism, and dysmorphic facies [IDDSADF, OMIM: #618672]). The patients present with a variable degree of developmental delay and behavioral problems. To date, all reported disease-causing variants occurred de novo and no parent-child transmission was observed.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aims to explore COQ8A-ataxia by analyzing clinical, genetic, molecular, and neuroimaging data from a global cohort of 59 patients, focusing on disease progression and treatment response to CoQ10.
  • A total of 44 pathogenic COQ8A variants were identified, with findings revealing a wide range of symptoms including cerebellar ataxia, epilepsy, cognitive impairment, and movement disorders, along with universal cerebellar atrophy observed in MRI scans.
  • Treatment with CoQ10 showed positive effects in many patients, suggesting potential for future trials, while the research sets the foundation for larger studies on disease progression and possible interventions.
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We report 2 cases of girls with gene variants who do not have typical clinical features of Rett syndrome except for intellectual disability and seizures. Both patients present with adipositas, macrocephalia, precocious puberty, and seizures. They have prominent eyebrows and a short neck as well as short and plump fingers.

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Article Synopsis
  • Exome sequencing has improved the identification of genes associated with Mendelian disorders, particularly in cases with unclear diagnoses, revealing more frequent phenotypic variations due to genetic mutations.
  • Research indicates that missense variants in the CDC42 gene, related to various growth and developmental issues, lead to a range of clinical symptoms, including facial and immunological abnormalities, similar to those seen in Noonan syndrome.
  • The study shows that mutations in CDC42 can disrupt its normal function, affecting cellular processes in different ways and complicating the classification of related disorders, highlighting the need for thorough functional analysis in understanding these syndromes.
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Three different genes of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor synthesis pathway, PIGV, PIGO, and PGAP2, have recently been implicated in hyperphosphatasia-mental retardation syndrome (HPMRS), also known as Mabry syndrome, a rare autosomal recessive form of intellectual disability. The aim of this study was to delineate the PIGV mutation spectrum as well as the associated phenotypic spectrum in a cohort of 16 individuals diagnosed with HPMRS on the basis of intellectual disability and elevated serum alkaline phosphate as minimal diagnostic criteria. All PIGV exons and intronic boundaries were sequenced in 16 individuals.

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Microphthalmia with linear skin lesions (MLS) is an X-linked dominant male-lethal disorder associated with mutations in holocytochrome c-type synthase (HCCS), which encodes a crucial player of the mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC). Unlike other mitochondrial diseases, MLS is characterized by a well-recognizable neurodevelopmental phenotype. Interestingly, not all clinically diagnosed MLS cases have mutations in HCCS, thus suggesting genetic heterogeneity for this disorder.

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Objective: Inherited ataxias are heterogeneous disorders affecting both children and adults. The primary cause can be identified in about half of the patients and only very few can receive causative therapy.

Methods: The authors performed sequencing of known Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) deficiency genes in 22 patients with unexplained recessive or sporadic ataxia.

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Kabuki syndrome (KS) is one of the classical, clinically well-known multiple anomalies/mental retardation syndromes, mainly characterized by a very distinctive facial appearance in combination with additional clinical signs such as developmental delay, short stature, persistent fingerpads, and urogenital tract anomalies. In our study, we sequenced all 54 coding exons of the recently identified MLL2 gene in 34 patients with Kabuki syndrome. We identified 18 distinct mutations in 19 patients, 11 of 12 tested de novo.

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Context: Homozygous loss-of-function mutations in forkhead box E1/thyroid transcription factor 2 (FOXE1/TTF-2) cause syndromic congenital hypothyroidism, with thyroid dysgenesis, cleft palate, spiky hair, and variable choanal atresia and bifid epiglottis in three cases reported hitherto. We have elucidated the molecular basis of the disorder in a female with a similar clinical phenotype, born to nonconsanguineous parents.

Objective And Design: The FOXE1 gene, located on chromosome 9q22, was sequenced in the proband and family members.

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We report on a young female patient with the clinical features of blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES, OMIM 110100) and a balanced chromosome translocation 46, XX, t(2;3)(q33;q23)dn.BPES is a rare autosomal dominant congenital disorder characterized by the eponymous oculo-facial features that are, in female patients, associated either with (type 1 BPES) or without (type 2 BPES) premature ovarian failure. Both types of BPES are caused by heterozygous mutations in the FOXL2 gene, which is located in chromosome band 3q23.

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The Shprintzen-Goldberg syndrome (SGS) is a disorder of unknown cause comprising craniosynostosis, a marfanoid habitus and skeletal, neurological, cardiovascular, and connective-tissue anomalies. There are no pathognomonic signs of SGS and diagnosis depends on recognition of a characteristic combination of anomalies. Here, we describe 14 persons with SGS and compare their clinical findings with those of 23 previously reported individuals, including two families with more than one affected individual.

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