Clinical Information

The CDKN1C gene is an imprinted gene that has been associated with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS), intrauterine growth restriction, metaphyseal dysplasia, adrenal hypoplasia congenita, and genital anomalies (IMAGe) syndrome, and Russell-Silver syndrome (RSS). Imprinting describes a difference in gene expression based on parent of origin. The majority of autosomal genes exhibit biallelic (maternal and paternal) expression, whereas imprinted genes are normally expressed from only one parent. CDKN1C is typically expressed on the maternally inherited allele.

 

Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome:

BWS is a disorder characterized by prenatal and/or postnatal overgrowth, neonatal hypoglycemia, congenital malformations, and an increased risk for embryonal tumors. Physical findings are variable and can include abdominal wall defects, macroglossia, and hemihyperplasia. The predisposition for tumor development is associated with specific tumor types such as adrenal carcinoma, nephroblastoma (Wilms tumor), hepatoblastoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma. In infancy, BWS has a mortality rate of approximately 20%.

Most cases of BWS are caused by hypomethylation of LIT1, paternal uniparental disomy of chromosome 11, or hypermethylation of H19. Approximately 5% to 10% of sporadic BWS cases and approximately 40% of BWS cases with a positive family history are caused by CDKN1C variants. The appropriate first-tier test in the evaluation of a possible diagnosis of BWS is BWRS / Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome/Russell-Silver Syndrome Molecular Analysis, Varies. This test may be considered when the results of BWS methylation analysis are negative, and there is still a strong clinical suspicion of BWS.

 

Intrauterine Growth Restriction, Metaphyseal Dysplasia, Adrenal Hypoplasia Congenita, and Genital Anomalies Syndrome:

Variants in the CDKN1C gene have also been associated with IMAGe syndrome). The CDKN1C variants associated with IMAGe syndrome tend to be missense variants occurring in the PCNA-binding domain of the gene. Not every individual with a clinical diagnosis of IMAGe syndrome will have an identifiable CDKN1C variant.

 

Russell-Silver Syndrome:

RSS is a rare genetic condition with an incidence of approximately 1 in 100,000. RSS is characterized by pre- and postnatal growth retardation with normal head circumference, characteristic facies, fifth finger clinodactyly, and asymmetry of the face, body, and/or limbs. Less commonly observed clinical features include cafe au lait spots, genitourinary anomalies, motor, speech, cognitive delays, and hypoglycemia.

 

RSS is a genetically heterogeneous condition that is associated with genetic and epigenetic alterations at chromosome 7 and the chromosome 11p15.5 region. The majority of cases of RSS are sporadic, although familial cases have been reported. The etiology of sporadic cases of RSS includes: hypomethylation of IC1 (H19), maternal uniparental disomy (UPD) of chromosome 7, 11p15.5 duplications (rare), and chromosome 7 duplications (rare).

CDKN1C variants have recently been identified as a cause of RSS in some families. This test may be considered when results of RSS methylation analysis and UPD 7 studies are negative and there is still a strong clinical suspicion of RSS.