Dataset Information

A new pathway in the control of the initiation of puberty: the MKRN3 gene.

ABSTRACT: Pubertal timing is influenced by complex interactions among genetic, nutritional, environmental, and socioeconomic factors. The role of MKRN3, an imprinted gene located in the Prader-Willi syndrome critical region (chromosome 15q11-13), in pubertal initiation was first described in 2013 after the identification of deleterious MKRN3 mutations in five families with central precocious puberty (CPP) using whole-exome sequencing analysis. Since then, additional loss-of-function mutations of MKRN3 have been associated with the inherited premature sexual development phenotype in girls and boys from different ethnic groups. In all of these families, segregation analysis clearly demonstrated autosomal dominant inheritance with complete penetrance, but with exclusive paternal transmission, consistent with the monoallelic expression of MKRN3 (a maternally imprinted gene). Interestingly, the hypothalamic Mkrn3 mRNA expression pattern in mice correlated with a putative inhibitory input on puberty initiation. Indeed, the initiation of puberty depends on a decrease in factors that inhibit the release of GnRH combined with an increase in stimulatory factors. These recent human and animal findings suggest that MKRN3 plays an inhibitory role in the reproductive axis to represent a new pathway in pubertal regulation.

SUBMITTER: Abreu AP

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4573396 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

A new pathway in the control of the initiation of puberty: the MKRN3 gene.

Abreu Ana Paula AP Macedo Delanie B DB Brito Vinicius N VN Kaiser Ursula B UB Latronico Ana Claudia AC

Journal of molecular endocrinology 20150601 3

Pubertal timing is influenced by complex interactions among genetic, nutritional, environmental, and socioeconomic factors. The role of MKRN3, an imprinted gene located in the Prader-Willi syndrome critical region (chromosome 15q11-13), in pubertal initiation was first described in 2013 after the identification of deleterious MKRN3 mutations in five families with central precocious puberty (CPP) using whole-exome sequencing analysis. Since then, additional loss-of-function mutations of MKRN3 hav ...[more]

PMID: 25957321

Similar Datasets

Project description:Background: Central Precocious Puberty (CPP) is clinically defined by the development of secondary sexual characteristics before the age of 8 years in girls and 9 years in boys. To date, mutations in the coding region of KISS1, KISS1R, PROKR2, DLK1, and MKRN3 genes have been reported as causative for CPP. This study investigated the presence of causative mutations in both the promoter and the 5'-UTR regions of the MKRN3 gene. Methods: Sanger DNA sequencing was used for screening the proximal promoter and 5'-UTR region of the MKRN3 gene in a group of 73 index girls with CPP. Mutations identified were cloned in luciferase reporter gene vectors and transiently transfected in GN11 cells in order to check for changes in the activity of the MKRN3 promoter. GN11 cells were previously checked for Mkrn3 expression using lentivirus mediated knock-down. In silico analysis was implemented for the detection of changes in the mRNA secondary structure of the mutated MKRN3 5'-UTR. Results: Three novel heterozygous mutations (-166, -865, -886 nt upstream to the transcription start site) located in the proximal promoter region of the MKRN3 gene were identified in six non-related girls with CPP. Four of these girls shared the -865 mutation, one the -166, and another one the -886. A 5'-UTR (+13 nt downstream to the transcription start site) novel mutation was also identified in a girl with similar clinical phenotype. Gene reporter assay evaluated the identified promoter mutations and demonstrated a significant reduction of MKRN3 promoter activity in transfected GN11 cells. In silico analysis for the mutated 5'-UTR predicted a significant change of the mRNA secondary structure. The minimum free energy (MFE) of the mutated 5'-UTR was higher when compared to the corresponding wild-type indicating less stable RNA secondary structure. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated novel genetic alterations in the promoter and 5'-UTR regulatory regions of the MKRN3 gene. These changes add to another region to check for the etiology of CPP.

Dataset Information

A new pathway in the control of the initiation of puberty: the MKRN3 gene.

Publications

A new pathway in the control of the initiation of puberty: the MKRN3 gene.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets