Nonfamilial Juvenile Polyposis Syndrome with Exon 5 Novel Mutation in SMAD 4 Gene

Amna Ahmed1, Badr Alsaleem1

  • 1Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division, Children's Hospital, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Insights

Juvenile polyposis syndrome (JPS), a rare genetic disorder, involves gastrointestinal polyps and increased cancer risk. This case identifies a new SMAD4 gene mutation in a child with JPS, aiding future management strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Gastroenterology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Juvenile polyposis syndrome (JPS) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by multiple gastrointestinal juvenile polyps.
  • It significantly increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer.
  • Mutations in SMAD4 and BMPR1A are the most common genetic causes of JPS.

Observation:

  • An 8-year-old boy presented with recurrent rectal bleeding.
  • Examination revealed numerous polyps throughout his colon.
  • Histopathology confirmed the polyps were juvenile polyps.

Findings:

  • Genetic analysis identified a novel mutation in the SMAD4 gene (exon 5: p.Ser144Stop) in the patient.
  • This specific SMAD4 mutation has not been previously reported in the literature.
  • The findings confirm a genetic basis for the patient's JPS diagnosis.

Implications:

  • Genotypic diagnosis is crucial for effective management planning in JPS patients.
  • Identification of novel mutations expands our understanding of JPS pathogenesis.
  • This discovery may lead to more targeted therapeutic approaches for individuals with JPS.

Related Concept Videos

Pleiotropy01:33

Pleiotropy

Pleiotropy is the phenomenon in which a single gene impacts multiple, seemingly unrelated phenotypic traits. For example, defects in the SOX10 gene cause Waardenburg Syndrome Type 4, or WS4, which can cause defects in pigmentation, hearing impairments, and an absence of intestinal contractions necessary for elimination. This diversity of phenotypes results from the expression pattern of SOX10 in early embryonic and fetal development. SOX10 is found in neural crest cells that form melanocytes,...
43.7K
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions01:12

Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
6.2K
The Retinoblastoma Gene01:20

The Retinoblastoma Gene

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
4.8K
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
5.3K
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
9.9K
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms-SNPs01:05

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms-SNPs

A single nucleotide polymorphism or SNP is a single nucleotide variation at a specific genomic position in a large population. It is the most prevalent type of sequence variation found in the human genome. Point mutations that occur in more than 1% of the population qualify as SNPs. These are present once every 1000 nucleotides on an average in the human genome. Replacement of a purine with another purine (A/G) or a pyrimidine with another pyrimidine (C/T) is known as a transition. In contrast,...
19.0K