Mutations in the FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR3, TWIST1, and EFNB1 genes cause the common craniosynostosis syndromes Muenke, Crouzon and Crouzon with acanthosis nigricans, Apert, Pfeiffer, Saethre-Chotzen, and Craniofrontonasal.
Mutations in the ephrin A4 (EFNA4) and ephrin B1 (EFNB1) ligands have been linked to nonsyndromic CS and craniofrontonasal syndrome, respectively, in patient samples.
In this study, we performed targeted, massively parallel sequencing using a next-generation sequencer, and identified a novel EFNB1 mutation, c.270_271delCA, in a Japanese female patient with craniosynostosis.
Only a small number of genes have been associated with FND phenotypes until now, the first gene being EFNB1, related to craniofrontonasal syndrome (CFNS) with craniosynostosis in addition, and more recently the aristaless-like homeobox genes ALX3, ALX4, and ALX1, which have been related with distinct phenotypes named FND1, FND2, and FND3 respectively.
The most common genetic mutations identified in syndromic craniosynostosis involve the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) family with other mutations occurring in genes for transcription factors TWIST, MSX2, and GLI3, and other proteins EFNB1, RAB23, RECQL4, and POR, presumed to be involved either upstream or downstream of the FGFR signaling pathway.
Subsequently, mutations in the FGFR2, FGFR3, TWIST1, and EFNB1 genes have been shown to account for approximately 25% of craniosynostosis, whilst several additional genes make minor contributions.