1. Mutations in the FTSJ1 gene coding for a novel S-adenosylmethionine- binding protein cause nonsyndromic X-linked mental retardation
- Author
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Freude, K, Hoffmann, K, Jensen, LR, Delatycki, MB, des Portes, [No Value], Moser, B, Hamel, B, van Bokhoven, H, Moraine, C, Fryns, JP, Chelly, J, Gecz, J, Lenzner, S, Kalscheuer, VM, Ropers, HH, and University of Groningen
- Subjects
RIBOSOMAL-RNA METHYLTRANSFERASE ,ESCHERICHIA-COLI ,METHYLATION ,YEAST ,SPB1P - Abstract
Nonsyndromic X-linked mental retardation (NSXLMR) is a very heterogeneous condition, and most of the underlying gene defects are still unknown. Recently, we have shown that similar to 30% of these genes cluster on the proximal Xp, which prompted us to perform systematic mutation screening in brain-expressed genes from this region. Here, we report on a novel NSXLMR gene, FTSJ1, which harbors mutations in three unrelated families - one with a splicing defect, one with a nonsense mutation, and one with a deletion of one nucleotide. In two families, subsequent expression studies showed complete absence or significant reduction of mutant FTSJ1 transcripts. FTSJ1 protein is a homolog of Escherichia coli RNA methyltransferase FtsJ/RrmJ and may play a role in the regulation of translation. Further studies aim to elucidate the function of human FTSJ1 and its role during brain development.
- Published
- 2004