A novel SPECC1L mutation causing Teebi hypertelorism syndrome: Expanding phenotypic and genetic spectrum

Only eleven SPECC1L mutations have been reported worldwide which were associated with autosomal dominant oblique facial clefts, Opitz G/BBB Syndrome and Teebi hypertelorism syndrome. In this study, we reported the first Chinese patient with Teebi hypertelorism syndrome. Utilizing whole exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing, we identified a de novo missense mutation NM_015330.3: c.1249A > C, p.(Thr417Pro) in SPECC1L gene. With common manifestations in Teebi hypertelorism syndrome such as special facial appearance, umbilical malformations and congenital heart defects, the patient also had unusual symptoms including recurrent infections, febrile seizures and widely opened anterior fontanelle. Furthermore, all the recorded SPECC1L mutations were analyzed by in silico analysis. Coiled-coil domain 2 was the most frequently mutated domain and positions e and g might be more important than other positions. This paper expanded the phenotypic spectrum of Teebi hypertelorism syndrome and elaborated molecular characteristics of SPECC1L mutations.