Somatic and germline mosaicism for a R248C missense mutation in <TOGGLE>FGFR3</TOGGLE>, resulting in a skeletal dysplasia distinct from thanatophoric dysplasia

In this communication, we report the identification of a mosaic R248C missense mutation in the IgII–III linker region of the gene encoding the fibroblast growth factor receptor-3 (FGFR3), in an individual who manifests a skeletal dysplasia and epidermal hyperplasia. By means of Denaturing High Performance Liquid Chromatography (DHPLC), we determined that 25% of her lymphocytes are heterozygous for this particular missense mutation in FGFR3, and that 12.5% of her lymphocyte-derived genomic DNA encodes a cysteine residue at this position. The proposita has disproportionate short stature, radial head dislocation, coxa vara, and bowing of some of the long bones, associated with an S-shaped deformity of the humerus, accompanied by widespread acanthosis nigricans in the integument. These features do not match any previously described skeletal dysplasia. Further, the proposita&#39;s only pregnancy ended in the delivery of a fetus manifesting a lethal short-limbed dwarfism with pulmonary hypoplasia, strongly suggestive of an undiagnosed thanatophoric dysplasia. These findings confirm the proposita to be a somatic and germline mosaic for this particular missense mutation in FGFR3. Thus far, all reported FGFR3 R248C mutations have resulted in thanatophoric dysplasia type I (TDI). &#169; 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.