SCIENTIFIC BACKGROUND

FBN1

The most common connective tissue disease caused by pathogenic variants in the FBN1 gene, which codes for fibrillin-1, is classic Marfan syndrome (MFS). In MFS, pathogenic variants can be localized in any of the 56 fibrillin-1 domains. In contrast, pathogenic variants in specific domains of fibrillin-1 can lead to opposite clinical phenotypes such as short stature and brachydactyly, which are characteristic of Weill-Marchesani syndrome and acromic dysplasia. Type 1 fibrillinopathies are an example of pleiotropy, whereby changes in one gene can be the cause of multiple genetic disorders.

 

Other type 1 fibrillinopathies are:

 

  • Isolated, dominantly inherited ectopia lentis (ECTOL1)

  • Acromicric dysplasia, which is characterized by short stature, short hands and feet, slight facial dysmorphia and characteristic X-ray findings on the hands

  • Dominant geleophysial dysplasia type 2 (GPHYSD2), a rare skeletal dysplasia characterized by short stature, prominent malformations of the hands and feet and a characteristic face

  • Stiff skin syndrome, which is characterized by hard, thick skin over the entire body, limiting joint mobility and resulting in joint contractures

  • Autosomal dominant Weill-Marchesani syndrome type 2 (WMS2), characterized by short stature, brachydactyly, joint stiffness and characteristic eye anomalies (microsphaerophakia, lens ectopia, severe myopia, glaucoma)

 

References

Sakai and Keene 2019, Matrix Biol 80:6 / Sakai et al. 2016, Gene 591:279 /Le Goff et al. 2011, Am J Hum Genet 89:7 / Faivre et al. 2009, Am J Med Genet A 149A:854

GENES

FBN1
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