Genetics of Inherited Ichthyoses and Related Diseases

Acta Derm Venereol. 2020 Mar 25;100(7):adv00096. doi: 10.2340/00015555-3432.

Abstract

Inherited ichthyoses are classified as Mendelian disorders of cornification (MEDOC), which are defined on the basis of clinical and genetic features and are mainly divided into non-syndromic and syndromic ichthyoses. Numerous genes, which encode for corresponding proteins, are involved in the normal differentiation of keratinocytes (cornification) and participate in the formation of a functional epidermal barrier. To date, mutations in more than 50 genes are known to result in various types of ichthyoses. Thanks to modern genetic diagnostic methods based on targeted next generation sequencing (NGS), approximately 80-90% of cases can be resolved at present. Further sequencing methods covering the whole exome (WES) or whole genome (WGS) will obviously elucidate another portion of the remaining unknown ichthyoses in the future.

Keywords: ARCI; genes; ichthyoses; molecular genetic diagnostics; mutations; Mendelian disorders of cornification.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alopecia / genetics
  • Chondrodysplasia Punctata / genetics
  • Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation / genetics
  • Humans
  • Ichthyosis / genetics*
  • Ichthyosis / physiopathology
  • Ichthyosis Vulgaris / genetics
  • Ichthyosis, X-Linked / genetics
  • Mutation
  • Photophobia / genetics
  • Skin Diseases, Genetic / genetics*
  • Skin Physiological Phenomena / genetics*

Supplementary concepts

  • Ichthyosis follicularis atrichia photophobia syndrome