High frequency of Q318X mutation in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency in northeast Brazil

Alta freqüência da mutação Q318X em pacientes com hiperplasia adrenal congênita por deficiência da 21-hidroxilase no nordeste do Brasil

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

High frequency of Q318X mutation in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency in northeast Brazil

Alta freqüência da mutação Q318X em pacientes com hiperplasia adrenal congênita por deficiência da 21-hidroxilase no nordeste do Brasil

Viviane C. Campos^I; Rossana M. C. Pereira^I; Natália Torres^II; Margaret de Castro^II; Manuel H. Aguiar-Oliveira^I

^IDivision of Endocrinology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju, SE, Brazil

^IIDepartment of internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil

^{Correspondence to}

ABSTRACT

OBJETIVES: Deficiency of 21-hydroxylase is the most common form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH-21OH). The aim of this study was to determine, by allele-specific PCR, the frequency of microconversions of the CYP21A2, in sixteen patients with the classical forms and in 5 patients with the nonclassical (NC) form of CAH-21OH and correlate genotype with phenotype.

METHODS: Genotypes were classified into 3 mutation groups (A, B and C), based on the degree of enzymatic activity. Screening for 7 microconversions by allele-specific PCR diagnosed 74.3% (n=26) of the 35 unrelated alleles.

RESULTS: The most frequent mutations were Q318X (25.7%), V281L (17.1%), I2 Splice (14.3%), I172N (14.3%), and R356W (14.3%). Genotype was identified in 57.1% of the patients. We observed correlation between genotype and phenotype in 91.7% of the cases.

CONCLUSION: The highest frequency for Q318X (25.7%) when compared to other studies may reflect individual sample variations in this Northeastern population.

Keywords: 21-hydroxylase deficiency; adrenal hyperplasia; CYP21A microconversions.

RESUMO

OBJETIVOS: Deficiência de 21-hidroxilase é a forma mais comum de hiperplasia adrenal congênita (CAH-21OH). O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar, por PCR alelo-específica, a freqüência de microconversões no CYP21A2, em 16 pacientes com a forma clássica e em cinco pacientes com a forma não-clássica (NC) de CAH-21OH e correlacionar o genótipo com o fenótipo.

MÉTODOS: Genótipo foi classificado em três grupos de mutações (A, B e C), baseado no grau de atividade enzimática. A técnica de PCR alelo-específico diagnosticou 74,3% (n = 26) dos 35 alelos não relacionados.

RESULTADOS: As mutações mais freqüentes foram Q318X (25,7%), V281L (17,1%), I2 Splice (14,3%), I172N (14,3%) e R356W (14,3%). O genótipo foi identificado em 57,1% dos pacientes. Houve correlação genótipo-fenótipo em 91,7% dos casos.

CONCLUSÃO: A mais alta freqüência da mutação Q318X (25,7%) comparada a outros estudos pode refletir variações individuais desta população do nordeste.

Descritores: Deficiência de 21-hidroxilase; hiperplasia adrenal; microconversões; CYP21A.

INTRODUCTION

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency (CAH-21OHD) is one of the most common inborn endocrine disorders and is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner (1). This disease occurs due to molecular defects in the steroid 21-hydroxylase gene (CYP21A2), which encodes the 21-hydroxylase enzyme (2-5). The CYP21A2 gene, as well as the pseudogene (CYP21A1P), is located in the HLA class III region on the short arm of chromosome 6 (6p21.3). Both genes consist of 10 exons and show a high homology with a nucleotide identity of 98% in their exon and 96% in their intron sequences (6). Because of the high homology and tandem-repeat organization of CYP21A2,CYP21A1P, and C4 genes, this region of the genome is subject to unequal crossover events and gene conversions, which give rise to mutations in CYP21A2 (2-6).

There are three major phenotypes depending on the degree of impairment of enzyme activity caused by the specific mutation in the CYP21A2 (3,4). In the classic salt-wasting (SW) form, the most severe form, patients suffer from renal salt loss due to the lack of aldosterone as well as pre- and postnatal virilization, due to accumulated adrenal androgen. Therefore, affecting female newborn with ambiguous external genitalia. In the classic simple virilizing (SV) form, patients also present pre- and postnatal virilization, but they do not have renal salt loss. In the NC form, patients lack the neonatal symptoms and present with late-onset symptoms and diagnosis (3).

The most common source of mutations, involving around 95% of the alleles, is the result of recombination events between the homologous pseudogene (CYP21A1P) and the active CYP21A2 gene. In addition, more than 100 point mutations have been described around the world (7). There is usually a good correlation between phenotype and genotype in patients with 21-hydroxylase deficiency (2,3,8,9). Genotypes with total or near-total impairment of enzymatic activity are associated with the SW form; the SV form is associated with severe impairment and the nonclassical form with moderate impairment of enzymatic activity. However, some discrepancies in genotype/phenotype correlation have been reported, and are associated with alternative splicing or the presence of additional mutations not detected in the screening studies. In addition, recent reports have also demonstrated that microconversions between CYP21A2 and CYP21A1P promoters could be involved in the classical and nonclassical phenotype (10,11).

The establishment of genotype in complete families with at least one CAH-21OHD-affected individual is useful for genetic counseling, prenatal diagnosis and prenatal treatment strategies, and also for differentiating between heterozygous and late onset form as well as an adjunct to hormonal measurements in screening programs (12,13). Therefore, in the present study, we report the frequency of seven CYP21A2 microconversions, P30L, I2Splice, 706_713del8, I172N, V281L, Q318X, and R356W, using the allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based approach. We studied 21 Brazilian families with CAH-21OH originating from a state in Northeast Brazil, Sergipe State, in order to amplify the data on the ethnic specific frequency of CYP21A2 gene mutations in the Brazilian population. In addition, we have also correlated genotype with phenotype in these CAH -21OHD patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fifteen families and 1 isolated case with CAH-21OHD followed at the Division of Endocrinology, University Hospital of Federal University of Sergipe were studied. There was one affected subject in 12 families, two affected subjects in 2 families and four affected subjects in another family. There were no consanguineous families. Their parents and normal siblings were also studied. Among the 21 patients, 14 (66.7%) were females and 7 (33.3%) males. Seven patients presented with the SW form (6 females and 1 male); 9 with the SV form (4 females and 5 males), and 5 with the NC form (4 females and 1 male).

The SW form was characterized by elevated concentrations of 17OHP (911.6 ± 806.5 (mean ± standard deviation); ranging from 32 to 1615 ng/mL), ambiguous genitalia in females, hyperkalemia (7.4 ± 0.8; ranging from 6.2 to 8.3 mEq/L), hyponatremia (125.4 ± 12.0; ranging from 105 to 134 mEq/L), and dehydration in the first months of life. The SV form was characterized by elevated 17OHP (151.8 ± 124.7; ranging from 10.2 to 410.3 ng/mL), ambiguous genitalia in females, sexual precocity in both genders, high stature and advanced bone age and no history of salt wasting. The NC form was characterized in girls by normal external genitalia or mild clitoral enlargement and, in both sexes, by precocious pubarche and/or other signs of elevated androgens. Basal 17OHP levels in the NC form ranged from 3.5 to 22.3 ng/mL (13 ± 6.8 ng/mL) and 4 patients were submitted to exogenous ACTH (17OHP post ACTH test ranging from 24 to 46 ng/mL). The 17OHP cut-off value after the exogenous ACTH stimulation test was of 17OHP levels greater than 15 ng/mL. Levels of testosterone and androstenedione were divided by the upper limit of normality of the ages, to correct the different ages of the patients.

Families originated from two regions in Sergipe State: North (5 families, 10 patients) and East (9 families and the isolated case, 10 patients). One family (1 patient) originated from Bahia State. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committees at the Federal University of Sergipe (UFS). All families gave their informed consent for the genetic study.

GENOTYPING OF MUTATIONS IN CYP21A2

DNA samples were obtained from peripheral blood leukocytes by standard procedures. Allele-specific PCR was used for the determination of 7 microconversions (P30L, I2Splice, 706_713del8, I172N, V281L, Q318X, and R356W) in 35 unrelated alleles, as previously described (8,14). Positive and negative control DNAs were used in all reactions.

GENOTYPE CATEGORIES

Patients were divided into three genotype groups, according to the impairment of enzymatic activity, as described by Speiser and cols. (2). Group A included patients who were homozygous or compound heterozygous for mutations that predict 0% overall activity. Subgroup A1 included 706_713del8, Q318X, and R356W mutations, and Subgroup A2 included patients who were homozygous for I2Splice or compound heterozygous for I2Splice with mutations from Subgroup A1. Subgroup A2 presented low, but measurable, enzymatic activity (<2%). Group B included patients who were homozygous for I172N (2% of enzymatic activity) or compound heterozygous with mutations from Group A. Group C included patients who were homozygous for P30L and V281L (20-50% enzymatic activity) or compound heterozygous with mutations from Groups A or B.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation, unless otherwise explained. Chi-Square and Binomial tests were applied to compare the frequencies of the CYP21A2 mutated alleles observed in the present study and other Brazilian studies. Non-parametric tests were used to compare clinical and hormonal data of patients. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare data between two different groups and Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare data between three groups. The Program Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS Base 8.0) was used for data analysis.

RESULTS

Table 1 shows clinical and hormonal data of patients with classical and NC form of CAH-21OHD, at diagnosis. 17OHP levels were higher in SW and SV compared to NC (p=0.008 and p=0.03, respectively). Values of testosterone were higher in SW and SV compared to NC (p=0.03 and p=0.04, respectively) and in SW compared to SV forms (p=0.04). Values of androstenedione were elevated in all forms.

The distribution of the CYP21A2 mutated alleles is shown in Table 2, which also compares the frequencies observed in the present study and other Brazilian studies. In 35 unrelated alleles studied, the most frequent mutations were Q318X (25.7%), V281L (17.1%), I172N (14.3%), I2 Splice (14.3%), and R356W (14.3%). In the 12 unrelated alleles of the SW patients, 9 alleles (75%) were identified and the most frequent mutation was Q318X (58.3%), followed by R356W (16.7%), and I2Splice (16.7%). In the 14 alleles of the SV patients, 10 alleles (71.4%) were identified and the most frequent mutation was I172N (35.7%). In the 10 alleles of the NC patients, 8 alleles (80%) were identified and V281L was the most frequent mutation (60%).

Allele-specific PCR diagnosed 26 of the 35 unrelated affected alleles (74.3%), 4 of them (11.4%) presented 2 mutations (Q318X and R356W) and 1 allele presented 3 mutations (P30L, 706_713del8, and I2 Splice). When searching for the mutations in index case parents, we detected one asymptomatic affected father, who showed the V281L/I2Splice genotype, and had 2 affected daughters, one with SW form (I2Splice / Q318X, and R356W) and another with NC form (V281L/Q318X, and R356W). Another father presented homozygosity or hemizigosity for V281L, but his child, who presented the SW form, did not present identified mutations in her alleles. Paternity was not tested. In addition, we did not perform Southern Blotting to verify the presence of deletion or macroconversion in father and/or child alleles. Twelve patients (57.1%) had their genotype identified (Table 3); 4 presented the Group A genotype (all of them with the SW form), 4 patients presented the Group B genotype (all of them with the SV form) and 4 patients presented the Group C genotype (3 NC and 1 SV). There was a prevalence of 18.2 cases of CAH-21OHD/100.000 inhabitants in the North region and 1.65 cases of CAH-21OHD/100.000 inhabitants in the East region of Sergipe State (Table 4).

DISCUSSION

In the present study, we report the frequencies of seven microconversions described in CYP21A2 (P30L, I2Splice, 706_713del8, I172N, V281L, Q318X, and R356W) in a new Brazilian cohort, a population from Sergipe, located in the Northeast region of Brazil. The ethnic origin of the Brazilian population is extremely heterogeneous, which justifies the current study. All other studies on the genetic characteristics of CYP21A2 available in the Brazilian population are restricted to the Southeast region of Brazil (10,11,14,15,17,18,20-26), especially from Sao Paulo State. We found only one unpublished study performed in Bahia State, which evaluated 30 individuals with the classical forms of CAH-21OHD, where allele-specific PCR was used for the determination of 14 mutations. In 48 unrelated alleles, 16 SW and 32 SV forms, 75% of alleles were identified. I2Splice was observed in 25%, I172N in 20% and Q318X in 13% of the alleles (16).

We studied 15 families and one isolated case of CAH-21OHD using allele-specific PCR. CYP21A2 mutation was detected in 74.3% of the disease-causing alleles. Torres and cols. (14), using the same methodology as the present study, identified 76% of mutated alleles. Other Brazilian studies, which besides screening the most frequent microconversions, also screened gene deletion and large gene conversion, identified about 80-85% affected alleles (15-17). Therefore, the slightly lower frequency of affected alleles (74.3%) observed in this study can be ascribed to the lack of studies on macroconversion and deletions, which were not evaluated systematically, since Southern Blotting and gene sequencing were not performed in the present study.

In the present study, genotype was identified in 57.1% of the patients, similar to other studies using the same diagnostic approach (14). Other studies, which analyzed microconversion, large gene conversion and deletion, genotype has been identified in up to 81% of the patients (15,16).

Our series presented a higher frequency for Q318X mutation (25.7%) compared to other worldwide studies (2,14-18,21,26-31). In studies from the Southeast region of Brazil, Q318X mutation frequency ranged from 1.1% (14) to 13% - 16% (16,26). The frequency observed in this study was even higher when compared to other countries, except for one study in Tunisian patients, in which Q318X mutation was found in 35.3% of the alleles (32). Kharrat and cols. (32) detected linkage disequilibrium between the Q318X mutation and a CYP21A2 gene polymorphism (601C→G at intron 2) in 83.3% of alleles, a loci probably due to the antiquity of the founder chromosomes. Moreover, the authors found the highest rate of consanguinity (60.8%) described in the literature, which probably allowed the dissemination of the Q318X mutation among Tunisian population. It is difficult to suppose the same descendant from Tunisian and Brazilian patients, since six out of 11 alleles with the Q318X mutation in Sergipe´s patients had also the R356W mutation, which was found in only 2.9% of the Tunisian patients. These mutations (Q318X and R356W) in the same allele might have been transferred in a single event of gene conversion, since they are neighboring in pseudogene.

Despite no recent history of consanguinity in our patients, the molecular study of the CYP21A2 gene in Bahia State also detected a higher frequency of Q318X mutation (13%) than the observed in previous Brazilian studies (16). As Bahia and Sergipe States are neighboring, a founder effect can be responsible for the high frequency of Q138X mutation in the Northeastern region of Brazil. Further studies in these families harboring the Q318X mutation, using microsatelites or polymorphism (SNPs) markers, will be essential to clarify the reason of the high frequency of Q318X mutation in patients with CAH-21OHD from Sergipe. In addition, it is important to point out that the allelic frequency of any CYP21A2 point mutation, including Q318X mutation, varies according to the number of patients with late onset CAH-21OHD included in the study. Indeed, our study as well as the Witchel and cols. study (26) present a small number of LO form of CAH-21OHD and high frequency of Q318X mutation.

The second most frequent mutation was V281L (17.1%). This result was similar to those obtained in previous Brazilian reports, where the three clinical forms of the CAH-21OHD were analyzed (14,15,18). On the other hand, V281L mutation frequency was smaller in series in which only classical forms of CAH-21OHD were studied (16,17).

I172N was present in 14.3% of unrelated alleles. This result is similar to those obtained in previous Brazilian reports (14-18). In the present study, all patients harboring the I172N mutation presented the SV form of CAH-21OHD. Some series showed discrepancy between genotype and phenotype associated with the I172N mutation, with some patients presenting the SW form, probably because of the low enzymatic activity predict by this mutation cannot be sufficient to prevent the salt wasting (31,33).

In our series the R356W mutation was found in 14.3% of the studied alleles, similar to the frequency obtained in other Brazilian studies (13-17).

I2Splice mutation was present in 14.3% of the studied alleles. In all Brazilian studies, it has been the most frequent mutation associated with the SW form (13-15,17,26), suggesting the diversity in Brazilian ethnic background.

P30L, I2Splice, and del 8pb were found in one of the studied alleles. In this patient, allele-specific PCR could have amplified a hybrid gene, which results from the CYP21A2 deletion or large gene conversion, presenting pseudogene´s sequences in the 5´ extremity and sequences of the active gene in the 3´ extremity. Indeed, in 92% of the hybrid genes, del 8 pb is present (17,22). Similarly, other studies (14,22) showed patients harboring the del 8pb mutation in association with P30L and I2 Splice in the same allele, also suggesting a deletion or large gene conversion in CYP21A2. To establish the actual genotype of this patient further studies using Southern Blotting or gene sequencing should be done.

In the present study, we found that 14.3% of the alleles presented more than one mutation. One asymptomatic affected father was diagnosed with two different mutations in his alleles; one of these mutations has been associated with severe reduction of enzymatic activity. He had a daughter with SW and another with NC form of CAH-21OHD. Indeed, it is well established that asymptomatic parents with different mutations in their alleles can generate children with different clinical forms of CAH-21OHD. The segregation analysis in this family is important to identify the genotype and genetic counseling.

In one patient, we did not differentiate homozygosis or hemizygosity. Unfortunately, her parents were not available to confirm her familial segregation. In another patient, homozygosity was not confirmed by segregation analysis studies in the family, because the mutated allele was not identified in the father. The patient might be hemizygous or might have a de novo mutation. So, to clarify these points it will be necessary to perform Southern Blotting studies in these families.

We observed a good correlation between genotype and phenotype. Most patients showed compound heterozygous mutations and the clinical form of CAH-21OHD was correlated with the mutated allele with higher enzymatic activity (3,33). Among the twelve patients who had mutations identified in both alleles, only one patient had genotype and phenotype discordance. This patient with the SV form of CAH-21OHD presented I2 Splice in one allele and P30L, I2 Splice, and del 8pb in another. In this case, I2 Splice can be associated with variation of phenotype, because a small amount of normally spliced mRNA can be detected and a small amount of normal enzyme can be synthesized (3,13,17,31,33).

There was a higher prevalence of CAH-21OHD in the North region of Sergipe State. We did not find history of recent consanguinity among these families that could justify the high prevalence of cases. It is unlikely there was a bias in selection, since the University's Hospital is the single center of reference to Sergipe State. Therefore, we believe that there is a higher number of undiagnosed patients in the other regions. In conclusion, our molecular analysis approach allowed the identification of CYP21A2 mutations in 74.3% of the studied alleles and identified the genotype in 57.1% of patients. There was a good correlation between genotype and phenotype. However, the frequency of CYP21A2 mutations in the Northeast of Brazil differed from other studies from Southeast of Brazil. Our dada amplify the knowledge on ethnic specific frequency of CYP21A2 mutations in the Brazilian population.

Acknowledgements: We are grateful to Dra. Berenice Bilharino Mendonça, Dra Ana Elisa Billerbeck, and Dr. Sonir R. R. Antonini for helpful discussions and suggestions. We also thank Adriana Rossi e Lucimara Bueno for technical assistance. We would like to thank Fapitec (FAP - Foundation for Support to Research of Sergipe [Fundep] 02/2002) and Medicine Post-Graduation Center of Federal University of Sergipe for financial support.

Disclosure: No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Received in May/23/2008

Accepted in nov/24/2008

• 1. Bongiovanni AM, Root AM. The adrenogenital syndrome. N Engl J Med. 1963;268:1283-9.
• 2. Speiser PW, Dupont J, Zhu D, Serrat J, Buegeleisen M, Tusie-Luna MT, et al. Disease expression and molecular genotype in congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency. J Clin Invest. 1992;90:584-95.
• 3. White PC, Speiser PW. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Endocr Rev. 2000;21(3):245-91.
• 4. White PC, Speiser PW. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia. N Engl J Med. 2003;349:776-88.
• 5. Riepe GF, Tatzel S, Sippell GW, Pleiss J, Krone N. Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: The Molecular Basis of 21-Hydroxylase in H-2aw18 Mice. Endocrinology. 2005;143:2563-74.
• 6. White PC, New MI, Dupont B. Struture of human steroid 21-hydroxylase genes. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 1986;83:5111-5.
• 7. Stenson PD, Ball EV, Mort M, Phillips AD, Shiel JA, Thomas NS, et al. Human Gene Mutation Database (HGMD): 2003 Update. Hum. Mutat. 2003;21:577-81.
• 8. Wilson RC, Wei JQ, Cheng KC, Mercado AB, New MI. Rapid Deoxyribonucleic acid analysis by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction for detection of mutations in the 21-hydroxylase gene. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1995;80:1635-40.
• 9. Miller WL. Clinical review 54. Genetics, diagnosis, and management of 21-hydroxylase deficiency. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1994;78:241-6.
• 10. Araujo RS, Billerbeck AEC, Madureira G, Mendonça BB, Bachega TASS. Substitutions in the CYP21A2 promoter explain the simple virilizing form 21-hydroxylase deficiency in patients harbouring a P30L mutation. Clin Endocrinol. 2005;62:132-6.
• 11. Araujo RS, Mendonca BB, Barbosa AS, Lin CJ, Marcondes JAM, Billerbeck AEC, Bachega TASS. Microconversion between CYP21A2 and CYP21A1P promoter regions causes the nonclassical form of 21-Hydrxylase Defciency. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2007;92: 4028-34.
• 12. Nordenström A, Thilén A, Hagenfeldt L, Larsson A, Wedell A. Genotyping is a valuable diagnostic complement to neonatal screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1999;84:1505-9.
• 13. Fitness J, Dixit N, Webster D, Torresani T, Pergolizzi R, Speiser PW, et al. Genotyping of CYP21, linked chromosome 6p markers, and a sexspecific gene in neonatal screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1999;84:960-6.
• 14. Torres N, Mello MP, Germano CMR, Elias LLK, Moreira AC, Castro M. Phenotype and genotype correlation of the microconversion from the CYP21A1P to the CYP21A2 gene in congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Braz J Med Biol Res. 2003;36:1311-8.
• 15. Bachega TASS, Billerbeck AEC, Madureira G, Marcondes JAM, Longui CA, Leite MV. Molecular genotyping in Brazilian patients with the classical and nonclassical forms of 21-hydroxylase deficiency. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1998;83:4416-9.
• 16. Toralles MBP. Deficiência de 21-hidroxilase (forma clássica) em indivíduos miscigenados da Bahia: Estudo familial clínico e molecular [Tese]. Salvador. Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal da Bahia; 1999.
• 17. Paulino LC, Araujo M, Guerra JRG, Marini SHVL, De Mello MP. Mutation distribution and CYP21 / C4 locus variability in Brazilian families with the classical form of the 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Acta Paediatr. 1999;88:273-83.
• 18. Bachega TASS, Billerbeck AEC, Parente, EB, Lemos-Marini SHV, Baptista MTM, Mello MP, et al. Estudo multicêntrico de pacientes brasileiros com deficiência da 21-hidroxilase: correlação do genótipo com o fenótipo. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2004;48:697-704.
• 19. IBGE.gov.br [homepage on the internet]. Brasil: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística; [updated 2007/Jan/16]. Available from: http://www.ibge.gov.br/cidadesat/default.php
• 20. Araujo M, Sanches MR, Suzuki LA, Guerra JG, Farah SB, Mello MP. Molecular analysis of CYP21 and C4 genes in Brazilian families with the classical form of steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Braz J Med Biol Res. 1996;29:1-13.
• 21. Bachega TASS. Mutações no gene da 21-hidroxilase em pacientes com hiperplasia adrenal congênita por deficiência de 21-hidroxilase, formas clássicas e não-clássicas [Tese]. São Paulo. Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo; 1998.
• 22. Bachega TASS, Billerbeck AEC, Madureira G, Arnhold IJP, Medeiros MA, Marcondes JAM, et al. Low frequency of CYP21B deletions in Brazilian patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Hum Hered. 1999;49:9-14.
• 23. Bachega TASS, Billerbeck AEC, Marcondes JAM, Madureira G, Arnhold IJP, Mendonça BB. Influence of different genotypes on 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels in patients with nonclassical congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Clin Endocrinol. 2000;52:601-7.
• 24. Billerbeck AEC, Bachega TASS, Frazzatto ET, Nishi MY, Goldberg AC, Marin MLC, et al. A novel missense mutation, GLY424SER, in Brazilian patients with 21-hydroxylase deficiency. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1999;84:2870-2.
• 25. Billerbeck AEC, Mendonça BB, Pinto EM, Madureira G, Arnhold IJP, Bachega TASS. Three novel mutations in CYP21 gene in Brazilian patients with the classical form of 21-hydroxylase deficiency due a founder effect. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2002;87:4314-7.
• 26. Witchel SF, Smith R, Crivellaro CE, Manna TD, Dichtchekenian V, Setian N, Damiani D. CYP21 mutations in Brazilian patients with 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Hum Genet. 2000;106:414-9.
• 27. Carrera P, Bordone L, Azzani T, Brunelli V, Garancini MP, Chiumello G, et al. Point mutations in Italian patients with classic, nonclassic and cryptic forms of steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Hum Hered. 1996;98:662-5.
• 28. Dardis A, Bergada I, Bergada C, Rivarola M, Belgorosky A. Mutations of the steroid 21-hydroxylase gene in Argentinian population of 36 patients with classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 1997;10:55-61.
• 29. Ezquieta B, Oliver A, Gracia R, Gcedo PG. Analysis of steroid 21-hydroxylase gene mutations in the Spanish population. Hum Genet. 1995;6:198-204.
• 30. Mornet E, Crété P, Kuttenn F, Raux-Demay MC, Boué J, White PC. Distribution of deletions and seven point mutations on CYP21 genes in three clinical forms of steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Am J Hum Genet. 1991;48:79-88.
• 31. Wilson RC, Mercado AB, Cheng KC, New MI. Steroid 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency: Genotype may not predict Phenotype. J Clin Endocrinol Metabolism. 1995;80:2322-9.
• 32. Kharrat M, Tardy V, M'Rad R, Maazoul F, Jemaa LB, Refai M, et al. Molecular genetic analysis of Tunisian patients with a classic form of 21-hydroxylase deficiency: identification of four novel mutations and high prevalence of Q318X mutation. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004;89:368-74.
• 33. Dölzan V, Solyom J, Fekete G, Kovacs J, Rakosnikova V, Votava F, et al. Mutational spectrum of steroid 21-hydroxylase and the genotype-phenotype association in Middle European patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Eur J Endocrinology. 2005;153:99-106.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  27 Mar 2009
• Date of issue
  Feb 2009

History

• Received
  23 May 2008
• Accepted
  24 Nov 2008