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Background: Recurrent hydatidiform moles (RHMs) are an unusual pregnancy with at least two molar gestations that are associated with abnormal proliferation of trophoblastic tissue and a failure in the embryonic tissues development. Three maternal-effect genes, including NLRP7, KHDC3L, and PADI6 have been identified as the cause of RHMs. The present study aimed to understand the association of a founder mutation with the incidence and prevalence of a disease in different individuals of a population. Methods: 14 unrelated Iranian patients with recurrent reproductive wastage, including at least two HMs, entered this study. In order to find a possible mutation in KHDC3L, all the 14 samples were Sanger sequenced. For haplotype analysis, three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected with highest Minor Allele Frequency along KHDC3L. Results: A common KHDC3L mutation with the same haplotype was identified in four out of 14 patients with RHM. Regarding the present study, c.1A>G is the highest reported mutation in KHDC3L so far and is also the first report of the homozygous state that has led to RHM. Conclusion: c.1A>G mutation in KHDC3L is the highest reported mutation around the world. Our data also demonstrated the presence of founder effects for this particular mutation in Iranian populations. These data suggest that the high frequency of this mutation is potentially responsible for a higher rate of RHM in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The analysis of MECP2 mutations was performed in 7 Iranian patients with Rett syndrome. • Two novel mutations such as c.354G>T, p.Gly119Gly (NM_004992.3) and c.1167-1186del20 (p.P390Rfs) (NM_004992) were identified. • Novel mutations are predicted to be pathogenic and responsible for the phenotype. Rett syndrome (RTT) is an X-linked severe neurological disorder. Mutations in Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein2 (MECP2) gene are the main cause of RTT disease. In this study, we report the results of screening the MECP2 gene for mutations in 7 Iranian patients with RTT syndrome. MECP2 sequencing identified two novel mutations in the heterozygous state, a splice mutation, c.354G>T, p.Gly119Gly, resulting in a premature splice-donor site and a 20-bp deletion, c.1167-1186del20 (p.P390Rfs), leading to modifying the c-terminal parts of the protein and it also changes the reading frames of all coding sequence downstream of the mutation. Multiple sequence alignment showed that amino acid changes occurred in the well conserved protein regions across species. Based on the results of this study and literature reviews, about 70% of mutations are found in exon 3 and 4 of the MECP2 gene, and mutations in exon 4 are more common than other exons. Therefore, it is recommended that exon 4 to be a priority for screening the genetic analysis of RTT patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]