Whole-exome sequencing reveals a recurrent mutation in the cathepsin C gene that causes Papillon-Lefevre syndrome in a Saudi family.

Papillon-Lefevre syndrome (PALS) is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder characterized by periodontitis and hyperkeratosis over the palms and soles. Mutations in the cathepsin C gene (CTSC) have been recognized as the cause of PALS since the late 1990s. More than 75 mutations in CTSC have been identified, and phenotypic variability between different mutations has been described.

A novel homozygous PTH1R variant identified through whole-exome sequencing further expands the clinical spectrum of primary failure of tooth eruption in a consanguineous Saudi family.

Objectives: The present study aimed to identify the genetic cause of non-syndromic primary failure of tooth eruption in a five-generation consanguineous Saudi family using whole-exome sequencing (WES) analysis.

Design: The family pedigree and phenotype were obtained from patient medical records. WES of all four affected family members was performed using the 51 Mb SureSelect V4 library kit and then sequenced using the Illumina HiSeq2000 sequencing system.