Summary
Congenital generalized lipodystrophy (CGL) is an autosomal recessive metabolic syndrome with involvement of multiple organs. Mutations in BSCL2 are known to be associated with a severe form of CGL and mental retardation (MR). The genetic heterogeneity in CGL patients is accompanied by phenotypic heterogeneity in different ethnic groups. Studies in the Indian context are very few in this regard. We report here a detailed clinical analysis of a CGL case from infancy to adult hood. Interestingly, the patient was found to be homozygous for a novel BSCL2 mutation, but with normal intellectual development contrasting with the MR associated with BSCL2 mutation in CGL patients. The biochemical investigations at the time of diagnosis (9 months) included total cholesterol, total lipids, triglycerides, phospholipids, β-lipoprotein and free fatty acids, which were above normal limits. The clinical phenotype, viz. lack of subcutaneous fat, hepatosplenomegaly, cardiomegaly, and advanced bone age was also documented. The patient was found to be insulin resistant and diabetes mellitus was diagnosed by age 13 years. Ultrasonography of the ovaries at age 22 showed polycystic features with elevated levels of gonadotropins and negligible levels of serum leptin. For genetic analysis, direct DNA sequencing of BSCL2 was carried out and disclosed an 11-base-pair deletion in exon 6 (H217fsX272) resulting in a truncated protein. This is a novel mutation that contributes to CGL formation in a family of Indian origin and adds to the array of variants reported in this disorder. Moreover, the novel mutation is found to be associated with normal intellectual ability.
Abbreviations
- AGPAT:
-
1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate O-acyltransferase 2
- BSCL:
-
Berardinelli–Seip congenital lipodystrophy 2
- CGL:
-
congenital generalized lipodystrophy
- FSH:
-
follicle-stimulating hormone
- LDL:
-
low-density lipoprotein
- LH:
-
leutinizing hormone
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Acknowledgement
The authors wish to thank Dr C. P. Puri, Director, NIRRH for his support in carrying out this study. We thank Ms Madhavi Pusalkar for helping in carrying out the biochemical estimations .We also wish to thank the Lady Tata Memorial Trust and Indian Council of Medical Research for providing financial support to H.S. for this work.
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Communicating editor: Shamima Rahman
Competing interests: None declared
References to electronic databases: Congenital generalized lipodystrophy: OMIM 269700. GenBank accession no. NC000011; Version no. NC_000011.8 GI:51511727.
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Shirwalkar, H.U., Patel, Z.M., Magre, J. et al. Congenital generalized lipodystrophy in an Indian patient with a novel mutation in BSCL2 gene. J Inherit Metab Dis 31 (Suppl 2), 317–322 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10545-008-0899-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10545-008-0899-5