[A novel mutation of 428delG in DAX-1 gene causing X-linked adrenal congenital hypoplasia].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical features and to identify the DAX-1 gene mutation in a Chinese kindred with X-linked adrenal hypoplasia congenital(AHC).

METHODS

Clinical data and peripheral blood samples were obtained from the affected individuals and their relatives. The genomic DNA was isolated from whole blood. Four pairs of primers were used to amplify the two exons of the DAX-1 gene, and PCR products were purified and sequenced directly. Sequencing results were compared to the human DAX-1 sequence in the public database.

RESULTS

A novel hemizygous frameshift mutation (428delG) in exon 1 of the DAX-1 gene was found in both patients (the index case and his cousin). Some clinical features such as the age of onset were different although these 2 patients carried the same mutation. Three females in the family, including the mothers of the 2 patients and their grandmother were carriers of this mutation. No such mutation was detected in other healthy persons in the family.

CONCLUSION

The result suggested that X-linked AHC in the kindred was caused by a novel mutation of 428delG in the DAX-1 gene, and the same mutation can give rise to variable phenotypes.