Genotype and phenotype in patients with Noonan syndrome and a RIT1 mutation

Noonan syndrome (NS) is an autosomal-dominant disorder characterized by craniofacial dysmorphism, growth retardation, cardiac abnormalities, and learning difficulties. It belongs to the RASopathies, which are caused by germ-line mutations in genes encoding components of the RAS mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. RIT1 was recently reported as a disease gene for NS, but the number of published cases is still limited.

We sequenced RIT1 in 310 mutation-negative individuals with a suspected RASopathy and prospectively in individuals who underwent genetic testing for NS. Using a standardized form, we recorded clinical features of all RIT1 mutation-positive patients. Clinical and genotype data from 36 individuals with RIT1 mutation reported previously were reviewed.

Eleven different RIT1 missense mutations, three of which were novel, were identified in 33 subjects from 28 families; codons 57, 82, and 95 represent mutation hotspots. In relation to NS of other genetic etiologies, prenatal abnormalities, cardiovascular disease, and lymphatic abnormalities were common in individuals with RIT1 mutation, whereas short stature, intellectual problems, pectus anomalies, and ectodermal findings were less frequent.

RIT1 is one of the major genes for NS. The RIT1-associated phenotype differs gradually from other NS subtypes, with a high prevalence of cardiovascular manifestations, especially hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and lymphatic problems.Genet Med 18 12, 1226-1234.