A novel de novo mutation in the PURA gene associated with a new clinical finding: large brainstem

J Genet. 2020:99:7.

Abstract

We report the case of a Caucasian Spanish boy, who showed profound neonatal hypotonia, feeding difficulties, apnea, severe developmental delay, epilepsy, bilateral convergent strabismus, poor verbal language development and a large brainstem. Whole-exome sequence uncovered a novel de novo mutation in the purine-rich element binding protein A gene (PURA; NM_005859.4:c.72del:p.(-Gly25AlafsTer53)) that encodes the transcriptional activator protein Pur-alpha (PURA). Mutations in this gene have been identified in patients with PURA syndrome, a rare disorder characterized by an early hypotonia, developmental delay, severe intellectual disability with or without epilepsy, and disability in expressive language development. Although, up to 75 cases have been identified worldwide, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first patient described with a brainstem larger than normal. In conclusion, our data expand both geneticand phenotypic spectrum associated with PURA gene mutations.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Brain Stem / abnormalities
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Developmental Disabilities / diagnosis
  • Developmental Disabilities / genetics
  • Epilepsy / diagnosis
  • Epilepsy / genetics
  • Genetic Association Studies*
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Mutation*
  • Pedigree
  • Phenotype*
  • Sequence Deletion
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • PURA protein, human
  • Transcription Factors