Interstitial Deletion of 2q22.2q22.3 Involving the Entire ZEB2 Gene in a Case of Mowat-Wilson Syndrome

Abstract

Mowat-Wilson syndrome (MWS) is a rare autosomal dominant syndrome characterized by dysmorphic features, mental retardation, and congenital heart disease (CHD). MWS results from microdeletions of chromosome 2q23 or de novo SNVs involving the <i>ZEB2</i> gene. Here, we report on an Egyptian MWS patient diagnosed by chromosomal microarray (CMA). A 1-year-old male child was referred to the CHD clinic, National Research Centre, presenting with dysmorphic features and CHD. The patient was referred to the human cytogenetics department for cytogenetic analysis and for screening of subtelomere rearrangements and microdeletion loci, using MLPA, and all revealed normal results. CMA revealed an interstitial 2.27-Mb microdeletion in chromosome 2q, involving the entire <i>ZEB2</i> gene and other genes. This study emphasizes the significance of CMA in the detection of microdeletions/microduplications and as a screening tool in cases presenting with CHD and extracardiac manifestations. MWS should be suspected in patients presenting with the characteristic facial dysmorphism, developmental delay, seizures, Hirschsprung disease, and congenital heart anomalies, especially those involving the pulmonary arteries or pulmonary valves. It is recommended to include the <i>ZEB2</i> locus in the MLPA microdeletions probes.