Deletion of SNURF/SNRPN U1B and U1B* upstream exons in a child with developmental delay and excessive weight

J Genet. 2016 Sep;95(3):621-4. doi: 10.1007/s12041-016-0666-6.

Abstract

Prader-Willi syndrome is a rare syndrome characterized by hypotonia, developmental delay and excessive appetite. This syndrome is caused by the loss of function of paternally-expressed genes located in an imprinting centre in 15q11-q13. Here, we report the case of a patient who was referred to us with Prader-Willi syndrome-like symptoms including obesity and developmental delay. Examination of this patient revealed that he was a carrier of a paternally inherited deletion that affected the U1B and U1B* upstream exons of the SNURF-SNRNP gene within the 15q11-q13 imprinted region. Mutations localized within this genomic region have not been previously reported in Prader-Willi syndrome patients. It is possible that disruption of upstream exons of SNURF-SNRNP could contribute to Prader-Willi phenotype by disrupting brain-specific alternative transcripts, although, case reports from further patients with a comparable phenotype are required.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence*
  • Child
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 15
  • Exons
  • Genetic Loci
  • Genomic Imprinting*
  • Heterozygote
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nuclear Proteins / deficiency
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics*
  • Paternal Inheritance
  • Phenotype
  • Prader-Willi Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Prader-Willi Syndrome / genetics*
  • Prader-Willi Syndrome / pathology
  • Sequence Deletion*
  • snRNP Core Proteins / deficiency
  • snRNP Core Proteins / genetics*

Substances

  • Nuclear Proteins
  • SNURF protein, human
  • snRNP Core Proteins