A Novel Missense Mutation (P366T) of the LHX4 Gene Causes Severe Combined Pituitary Hormone Deficiency with Pituitary Hypoplasia, Ectopic Posterior Lobe and a Poorly Developed Sella Turcica

[摘要] References(24)Cited-By(14)LIM homeodomain transcription factors regulate many aspects of development in multicellular organisms. LHX4/Lhx4 is a protein that is essential for pituitary development and motor neuron specification in mammals. In human, a heterozygous splicing mutation of the LHX4 gene was reported in a family with combined pituitary hormone deficiencies (CPHD). In addition to CPHD, these patients were characterized by small sella turcica and chiari malformation. Here we report a Japanese patient with CPHD (GH, PRL, TSH, LH, FSH, and ACTH deficiency) due to a novel missense mutation (P366T) of the LHX 4 gene. She showed severe respiratory disease and hypoglycemia soon after birth. Brain MRI demonstrated hypoplastic anterior pituitary, ectopic posterior lobe, a poorly developed sella turcica, and chiari malformation. Sequence analysis of the LHX 4 gene identified a heterozygous missense mutation (P366T) in exon 6, which was present in LIM4 specific domain. Neither of the patient's parents harbored this mutation, indicating de novo mutation.

[学科分类] 内分泌与代谢学

[关键词] LHX4;Combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD);Pituitary hypoplasia;Sella turcica