Further genotype--phenotype correlations in neurofibromatosis 2

Clin Genet. 2010 Feb;77(2):163-70. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-0004.2009.01315.x. Epub 2009 Nov 23.

Abstract

Neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) is caused by mutations in the NF2 gene predisposing carriers to develop nervous system tumours. Different NF2 mutations result in either loss/reduced protein function or gain of protein function (abnormally behaving mutant allele i.e. truncated protein potentially causing dominant negative effect). We present a comparison between the clinical presentations of patients with mutations that are predicted to produce truncated protein (nonsense/frameshift mutations) to those that results in loss of protein expression (large deletions) to elucidate further genotype-phenotype correlations in NF2. Patients with nonsense/frameshift mutations have a younger age of diagnosis and a higher prevalence/proportion of meningiomas (p = 0.002, p = 0.014), spinal tumours (p = 0.004, p = 0.004) and non-VIII cranial nerve tumours (p = 0.006, p = 0.003). We also found younger age of diagnosis of vestibular schwannomas (p = 0.007), higher mean numbers of cutaneous lesions (p = 0.003) and spinal tumours (p = 0.006) in these patients. With respect to NF2 symptoms, we found younger age of onset of hearing loss (p = 0.010), tinnitus (p = 0.002), paraesthesiae (p = 0.073), wasting and weakness (p = 0.001) and headaches (p = 0.049) in patients with nonsense/frameshift mutations. Our comparison shows, additional, new correlations between mutations in the NF2 gene and the NF2 disease phenotype, and this further confirms that nonsense/frameshift mutations are associated with more severe NF2 symptoms. Therefore patients with this class of NF2 mutation should be followed up closely.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Genes, Neurofibromatosis 2*
  • Genetic Association Studies
  • Genetic Markers
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mutation
  • Neurofibromatosis 2 / genetics*
  • Phenotype

Substances

  • Genetic Markers