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Identification of mutations in CUL7 in 3-M syndrome

Abstract

Intrauterine growth retardation is caused by maternal, fetal or placental factors that result in impaired endovascular trophoblast invasion and reduced placental perfusion1. Although various causes of intrauterine growth retardation have been identified, most cases remain unexplained. Studying 29 families with 3-M syndrome (OMIM 273750), an autosomal recessive condition characterized by severe pre- and postnatal growth retardation, we first mapped the underlying gene to chromosome 6p21.1 and then identified 25 distinct mutations in the gene cullin 7 (CUL7). CUL7 assembles an E3 ubiquitin ligase complex containing Skp1, Fbx29 (also called Fbw8) and ROC1 and promotes ubiquitination. Using deletion analysis, we found that CUL7 uses its central region to interact with the Skp1-Fbx29 heterodimer. Functional studies indicated that the 3-M–associated CUL7 nonsense and missense mutations R1445X and H1464P, respectively, render CUL7 deficient in recruiting ROC1. These results suggest that impaired ubiquitination may have a role in the pathogenesis of intrauterine growth retardation in humans.

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Figure 1: Clinical and radiological manifestations of 3-M and gloomy face syndromes.
Figure 2: Genetic mapping of the locus involved in 3-M syndrome.
Figure 3: Levels of CUL7 RNA expression.
Figure 4: Characterization of the interactions between CUL7 and Skp1-Fbx29.
Figure 5: Mutants CUL7-R1445X and CUL7-H1464P are devoid of ROC1 binding and ubiquitin ligase activities.

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Acknowledgements

We thank M.H. Aguiar-Oliveira, B. Albrecht, H. Brunner, A. Janecke, H. Kingston, G. Mortier and E. Prott for collaboration and D. Vaiman for comments. Part of this work was supported by European Skeletal Dysplasia Network. Z.-Q.P. and R.W. are supported by Public Health Service grants. K.P. was funded by the London IDEAS genetics knowledge park, and P.J.S. was supported by the BDF Newlife and British Heart Foundation. J.O. was funded by the BDF Newlife. G.C.M.B. is a Wellcome Trust Senior Clinical Research Fellow. This manuscript is dedicated to the memory of Robin Winter.

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Correspondence to Valérie Cormier-Daire.

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Huber, C., Dias-Santagata, D., Glaser, A. et al. Identification of mutations in CUL7 in 3-M syndrome. Nat Genet 37, 1119–1124 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/ng1628

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