We emphasize the power of next generation techniques (X-exome sequencing, whole-exome sequencing and targeted multi-gene panel) to expand the phenotypic and mutational spectrum of OPHN1-related ID.
The advanced understanding of the mechanisms underlying OPHN1-related ID, allowed us to develop a therapeutic approach targeting the Ras homolog gene family, member A (RHOA) signalling pathway and repurpose Fasudil- a well-tolerated Rho Kinase (ROCK) and Protein Kinase A (PKA) inhibitor- as a treatment of ID.
Loss of function of the oligophrenin-1 gene (OPHN1) causes X-linked intellectual disability with cerebellar hypoplasia and leads to hyperactivation of the rho kinase (ROCK) pathway.
Among the X-linked genes associated with intellectual disability, Oligophrenin-1 (OPHN1) encodes for a Rho GTPase-activating protein, a key regulator of several developmental processes, such as dendrite and spine formation and synaptic activity.
Oligophrenin-1 (OPHN1), a gene involved in X-linked intellectual disability, undergoes RNA editing and alternative splicing during human brain development.
In the microarray results the probe for oligophrenin-1, a gene known for its involvement in mental retardation, showed a decreased hybridization signal.
Multiplex XLMR pedigrees have been reported with only one mutated patient having autism and MR: different X-located MR genes have been shown to be involved (NLGN4, MECP2, OPHN1, ZNF674 and FRAXA) which does not suggest that they could be "autism genes".
We report a deletion spanning exons 21 and 22 of the OPHN1 gene identified by a tiling path X-chromosome array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in a family with four males with intellectual disabilities.
To further delineate the phenotypic and mutational spectrum of the syndrome, by screening oligophrenin 1 in two cohorts of male patients with mental retardation (MR) with or without known posterior fossa anomalies.
So far, seven X-chromosomal genes mutated in nonspecific mental retardation (MRX) have been identified: FMR2, GDI1, RPS6KA3, IL1RAPL, TM4SF2, OPHN1 and PAK3 (refs 2-9).
Our findings give further support for the involvement of the oligophrenin-1 gene in specific morphological abnormalities of the brain which is of importance in the investigation of male patients presenting with mental retardation.