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Phenotypic Expansion of Knobloch Syndrome Type 2 in an Individual With a De Novo PAK2 Variant
Elizabeth A Werren1, Louisa Kalsner2,3,4, Jessica M Ewald1
1The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, USA.
Abstract:
P21-activated kinase 2 (PAK2) is a serine/threonine kinase essential for a variety of cellular processes including signal transduction, cellular survival, proliferation, and migration. A recent report proposed monoallelic PAK2 variants cause Knobloch syndrome type 2 (KNO2)-a developmental disorder primarily characterized by ocular anomalies. Here, we identified a novel de novo heterozygous missense variant in PAK2, NM_002577.4:c.1273G>A, p.(D425N), by genome sequencing in an individual with features consistent with KNO2. Notable clinical phenotypes observed in this individual were global developmental delay, congenital retinal detachment, mild cerebral ventriculomegaly, hypotonia, failure to thrive, pyloric stenosis, feeding intolerance, patent ductus arteriosus, and mild facial dysmorphism. The p.(D425N) variant lies within the protein kinase domain and is predicted to be functionally damaging by in silico analysis. Previous clinical genetic testing did not report this variant due to unknown relevance of PAK2 variants at the time of testing, highlighting the importance of reanalysis. Our findings substantiate the candidacy of PAK2 variants in KNO2 and expand the KNO2 clinical phenotypic spectrum.
Insights
This study identifies a new P21-activated kinase 2 (PAK2) gene variant linked to Knobloch syndrome type 2 (KNO2), a developmental disorder. The findings expand the known clinical features of this rare genetic condition.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- P21-activated kinase 2 (PAK2) is crucial for cellular functions like signal transduction, survival, proliferation, and migration.
- Monoallelic variants in PAK2 have been recently implicated in Knobloch syndrome type 2 (KNO2), a disorder affecting development and primarily causing ocular anomalies.
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