Mutations in ABCA12 underlie the severe congenital skin disease Harlequin Ichthyosis

P. David Kelsell, E. Elizabeth Norgett, Harriet Unsworth, Muy-Teck Teh, Thomas Cullup, Charles A. Mein, J. Patricia Dopping-Hepenstal, A. Beverly Dale, Gianluca Tadini, Philip Fleckman, G. Karen Stephens, P. Virginia Sybert, B. Susan Mallory, V. Bernard North, R. David Witt, Eli Sprecher, Aileen E. M. Taylor, Andrew Ilchyshyn, T. Cameron Kennedy, Helen GoodyearCelia Moss, David Paige, I. John Harper, D. Bryan Young, M. Irene Leigh, A. J. Robin Eady, A. Edel O'Toole

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    279 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Harlequin ichthyosis (HI) is the most severe and frequently lethal form of recessive congenital ichthyosis. Although defects in lipid transport, protein phosphatase activity, and differentiation have been described, the genetic basis underlying the clinical and cellular phenotypes of HI has yet to be determined. By use of single-nucleotide–polymorphism chip technology and homozygosity mapping, a common region of homozygosity was observed in five patients with HI in the chromosomal region 2q35. Sequencing of the ABCA12 gene, which maps within the minimal region defined by homozygosity mapping, revealed disease-associated mutations, including large intragenic deletions and frameshift deletions in 11 of the 12 screened individuals with HI. Since HI epidermis displays abnormal lamellar granule formation, ABCA12 may play a critical role in the formation of lamellar granules and the discharge of lipids into the intercellular spaces, which would explain the epidermal barrier defect seen in this disorder. This finding paves the way for early prenatal diagnosis. In addition, functional studies of ABCA12 will lead to a better understanding of epidermal differentiation and barrier formation.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)794-803
    Number of pages10
    JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics
    Volume76
    Issue number5
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - May 2005

    Keywords

    • ATP-binding cassette transporters genetics
    • Ichthyosis, Lamellar genetics
    • Harlequin ichthyosis
    • ABC transporter

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