SCIENTIFIC BACKGROUND

EDN3, EDNRB, MITF, PAX3, SNAI2, SOX10

Category:

Scientific Background

Waardenburg syndrome (WS) is a rare autosomal dominant inherited, clinically and genetically heterogeneous disease. The four clinically defined subtypes have pigmentation disorders of the skin and hair, often with a white forelock, heterochromia iridis, and sensorineural hearing loss, in common. The frequency is reported to be 1:40,000 in the general population. Waardenburg syndrome is thought to be present in 3% of all patients with sensorineural hearing loss.

 

WS1 and WS2 are the most common forms. They are distinguished by telecanthus and synophris, which do not occur in WS2. WS3 is also known as Waardenburg-Klein syndrome and has upper extremity malformations as an additional main symptom. WS4 or Waardenburg-Shah syndrome shows pigmentation abnormalities and hearing loss in addition to Hirschsprung disease.

 

The symptoms are caused by differentiation disorders of embryonic cells of the neural crest. The genes known to be causative genes are also involved in the development of the neural crest, the inner ear and the migration of melanocytes.

 

References

Bocángel et al. 2018, Eur J Med Genet 61:348 / Song et al. 2016 Clin Genet 89:416 / Sun et al 2016, Sci Rep 6:35498 / Yang et al. 2013, PLoS One 8: e77149 / Pingault et al. 2010, Hum Mut 31:1 / Pardono et al. 2003, Am J Med Genet 117A:22 / Read & Newton 1997, J Med Genet 34:656

GENES

EDN3, EDNRB, MITF, PAX3, SNAI2, SOX10

ASSOCIATED TESTS

How to order

LATEST ARTICLES

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most pressing global health threats, and accurate identification and surveillance of multidrug-resistant...

Read more

Colorectal cancer remains a significant health concern globally. While genetic factors play a crucial role in its development, identifying the exact ...

Read more

A new meta-analysis links trans-kingdom gut microbiota (bacteria, eukaryotes, viruses, archaea) to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) response in canc...

Read more

Reproductive health is a fundamental aspect of human well-being, affecting individuals and communities worldwide [1]. It encompasses a wide range of ...

Read more

It seems as though everyone is talking about artificial intelligence, usually referred to as AI, these days! Indeed, not only are AI tools now access...

Read more

Orphan drugs are those developed specifically for the treatment of rare diseases. Within the pharmaceutical industry, the drug development process is...

Read more

A study of 629 pregnancies with ultrasound-detected anomalies found that exome sequencing identified pathogenic variants in 14% of cases. The detecti...

Read more

Breast cancer is a type of cancer that originates in the breast cells. Genetic changes in the DNA of the healthy breast cells can lead to the formati...

Read more

Cardiovascular diseases affect the heart and blood vessels and are a leading cause of illness and death. Some are hereditary, and genetic testing can...

Read more

A recent study tracked molecular changes in 108 people over time, revealing that aging involves critical shifts around ages 44 and 60. These changes ...

Read more