Mutational Analysis of FOXL2 Gene in Blepharophimosis-Ptosis-Epicanthus Inversus Syndrome (BPES) Patients

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to identify the forkhead transcription factor gene (FOXL2) mutations in Korean patients with blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES). METHODS: We have analyzed the mutations of FOXL2 gene in genomic DNAs extracted from 16 BPES patients and their families by PCR, PCR-SSCP, and sequencing. RESULTS: No deletion in exon 1 to 3 of the FOXL2 gene was observed by PCR. The PCR products were subjected to SSCP analysis and 9 patients showed SSCP shifts. The PCR products showing SSCP shifts were subcloned into plasmid vectors and sequenced to confirm the FOXL2 mutation. In total, 7 mutations (1 nonsense mutation, 1 deletion, and 5 duplications) in exon 2 were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The FOXL2 gene mutations were identified in the Korean BPES patients. Some of the mutations were previously reported and some were new mutations. This study will contribute to the molecular analysis and clinical counseling of BPES patients.