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Are CUL3 variants an underreported cause of congenital heart disease?
Daniela Di Francesco1, Anne Swenerton2,3, Wenhui Laura Li4
1MD Undergraduate Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Insights
New research links Cullin 3 (CUL3) gene variants to complex heart defects (CHD). A fetus with CHD and a novel CUL3 variant highlights the gene's role in heart development, suggesting potential pathogenic mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Developmental Biology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Complex heart defects (CHD) are common congenital malformations arising from disrupted developmental pathways.
- Cullin-RING ligases (CRLs) are crucial E3 ubiquitin ligases, with Cullin 3 (CUL3) acting as a key scaffold.
- Heterozygous CUL3 variants are previously linked to neurodevelopmental disorders and pseudohypoaldosteronism type IIE.
Abstract:
Complex heart defects (CHD) are a common malformation associated with disruption of developmental pathways. The Cullin-RING ligases (CRLs) are multi-subunit E3 ubiquitin ligases in which Cullin 3 (CUL3) serves as a scaffolding subunit. Heterozygous CUL3 variants have been associated with neurodevelopmental disorders and pseudohypoaldosteronism type IIE. We report a fetus with CHD and a de novo CUL3 variant (NM_003590.4:c.[1549_1552del];[=], p.(Ser517Profs*23)) and review CUL3 variants reported with CHD. We postulate that CUL3 variants predispose to CHD and hypothesize mechanisms of pathogenesis.
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