OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical manifestations and gene variants of patients with blepharophimosis, ptosis and epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES). METHODS: Clinical data of 7 pedigrees affected with BPES were collected, and genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples of the probands and their relatives. All exons of the FOXL2 gene were subjected to Sanger sequencing. Those with negative findings were further screened by targeted capture and next generation sequencing (NGS) and microarray analysis. Pathogenicity of candidate variants were predicted by search of PubMed and related databases, and the impact of the variants was interpreted by protein prediction software. Diagnosis was confirmed by clinical phenotype, medical history and mutation analysis. RESULTS: A pathogenic variant was identified in six of the 7 pedigrees, which included four known pathogenic variants and one novel FOXL2 c.299dupA variant. A heterozygous 3q22.3q23 deletion, which encompassed the FOXL2 gene, was identified in another pedigree.As predicted, the c.299dupA frameshift mutation of FOXL2 gene can lead to the premature termination of protein translation, which is pathogenic. CONCLUSION A novel and 5 known pathogenic variants have been identified in six pedigrees affected with BPES by the combined Sanger sequencing, target capture NGS and microarray analysis. Above findings have enabled genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for these pedigrees.
Blepharophimosis/genetics* ; Forkhead Box Protein L2/genetics* ; Forkhead Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Humans ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Phenotype ; Skin Abnormalities ; Urogenital Abnormalities

Abnormalities, Multiple ; genetics ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Blepharophimosis ; genetics ; Blepharoptosis ; genetics ; Eyelids ; abnormalities ; Female ; Forkhead Box Protein L2 ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Syndrome

OBJECTIVETo screen mutations in the forkhead transcriptional factor 2 gene (FOXL2) in six Chinese families with blepharophimosis, ptosis, and epicanthus inversus syndrome(BPES).

METHODSPCR amplification and direct sequencing of the FOXL2 coding region in genomic DNA were performed in affected patients and 80 healthy controls. BLAST analysis of the sequence was made on Internet.

RESULTSA novel 951-953(delC) was found in the two affected patients of a Chinese family with BPES. No mutations were found in the healthy controls. The 951-953(delC) may cause a frameshift mutation after codon 238 that exists downstream of the forkhead domain, resulting in the production of truncated proteins.

CONCLUSIONThese findings indicated that the 951-953(delC) deletion mutation in the two patients resulted in truncated proteins and hence led to their BPES. To the authors' knowledge, the 951-953(delC) in FOXL2 has not been previously reported.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; Blepharophimosis ; genetics ; Blepharoptosis ; genetics ; China ; Eyelid Diseases ; genetics ; Family Health ; Female ; Forkhead Box Protein L2 ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Sequence Alignment

OBJECTIVETo screen for FOXL2 gene mutations in 6 patients with blepharophimosis, ptosis, and epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES), and explore their genotype-phenotype correlation.

METHODSPeripheral venous blood samples were collected from the patients for the extraction of genomic DNA. PCR and Sanger sequencing were employed to analyze the coding region and flanking sequences of the FOXL2 gene. Pathogenicity of the identified mutations was verified through literature review and bioinformatic analysis.

RESULTSA heterozygous c.672_701dup30 mutation was found in the probands from the two familial cases, while three heterozygous mutations (two were novel), namely c.462_468del (p.Pro156Argfs*113), c.251T to A (p.Ile84Asn) and c.988_989insG (p.Ala330Glyfs*204) were detected in the three sporadic cases. Literature review and bioinformatic analysis indicated that all these mutations are pathogenic.

CONCLUSIONIdentification of causative mutations in the BPES patients has provided a basis for genetic counseling and reproductive guidance. The novel mutations have enriched the mutation spectrum of the FOXL2 gene.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Blepharophimosis ; diagnosis ; genetics ; China ; Female ; Forkhead Box Protein L2 ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Genetic Association Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Pedigree ; Skin Abnormalities ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Urogenital Abnormalities ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEWe have studied 4 generations 12 patients in a family which has blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus-inversus syndrome (BPES) for the gene, FOXL2, the group also have 12 normal members in this family and other 80 normal individuals for contrast.

METHODSThe FOXL2 gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and then analyzed by direct genomic sequencing.

RESULTSA 892C > T at nucleotides in FOXL2 was found in the twelve affected patients. No mutations was found in any of the health members in the family.

CONCLUSIONSFOXL2 may be a important pathogenesis for the disease in this Chinese family.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Blepharophimosis ; ethnology ; genetics ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Forkhead Box Protein L2 ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Phenotype ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Syndrome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between the methylation status of CpG islands in the promoter region of 10 genes in breast cancer cells and their sensitivity to 5-fluouracil (5-Fu), and to identify the genes responsible for the 5-Fu resistance in breast cancer.

METHODSThree cell lines (differently resistant to chemotherapy) were used in this study: Bcap-37 (IC(50): 289.77 microg/ml), T47D (IC(50): 134.16 microg/ml) and ZR-75-30 (IC(50): 4.20 microg/ml). The methylation profile of 10 genes (BAG1, C11ORF31, CBR1, CBR4, GJA1, FOXL2, IGFBP6, P4HA1, SRI and TYMS) in the 3 breast cancer cell lines was determined by methylation specific PCR. The steady-state mRNAs of ABCC8, CHFR and IGFBP6 genes were quantified by real-time RT PCR analysis.

RESULTSAmong the 10 genes, only genes IGFBP6 and FOXL2 displayed differential DNA methylation pattern between the 5-Fu-resistant and 5-Fu-sensitive cell lines. The mRNA expression level of genes PRSS21, LOX, IGFBP6, ABCC8 and CHFR was quantified by real-time RT-PCR analysis. Except for CHFR, the expression level of the other 4 genes was correlated with the methylation status of CpG islands, namely, a lower expression level with methylation status and a higher level with demethylation status.

CONCLUSIONThe results of the present study have demonstrated that there are 8 genes with differential methylation status in chemosensitive and chemoresistant breast cancer cell lines, i.e. two genes more than the six genes we reported previously. Our findings provide both mechanistic insights for the drug resistance of breast cancer and the basis for further studies on potential application of the DNA methylation in this set of genes for prediction of chemosensitivity of breast cancer.

Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic ; pharmacology ; Breast Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; CpG Islands ; genetics ; DNA Methylation ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Fluorouracil ; pharmacology ; Forkhead Box Protein L2 ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 6 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism