Novel dominant-negative NR2F1 frameshift mutation and a phenotypic expansion of the Bosch-Boonstra-Schaaf optic atrophy syndrome

Abstract

Bosch-Boonstra-Schaaf optic atrophy syndrome (BBSOAS) has been described as an autosomal-dominant disorder caused by mutations in the NR2F1 gene, whose common characteristics include developmental delay, intellectual disability, optic nerve atrophy, hypotonia, attention deficit disorder, autism spectrum disorder, seizures, hearing defects, spasticity and thinning of the corpus callosum. Missense mutations in NR2F1 have been reported to be the major cause of BBSOAS. A possible genotype-phenotype correlation has been considered with missense mutations affecting the ligand-binding domain of NR2F1 as well as whole-gene deletions of NR2F1 showing a milder phenotype of BBSOAS. Here we report on a patient with a novel frameshift mutation in NR2F1 showing the full spectrum of BBOAS indicating an expanded clinical spectrum and a reconsideration of the observed genotype-phenotype correlation.