OBJECTIVE: While in previous studies heterozygosity for an Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 (IGF1) defect only modestly decreased height and head circumference, we recently reported on two siblings... Show moreOBJECTIVE: While in previous studies heterozygosity for an Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 (IGF1) defect only modestly decreased height and head circumference, we recently reported on two siblings with severe short stature with a maternally transmitted heterozygous duplication of 4 nucleotides, resulting in a frame shift and a premature termination codon in the IGF1 gene. In this paper we describe the structural and functional characteristics of the putative truncated IGF-I protein. DESIGN: Two children, their mother and maternal grandfather carried the mutation. In addition, two family members who were not affected were included in the study. Mutant (MT) IGF-I was synthesized in oxidized and reduced form using two methods. Neutral gel filtration studies were carried out with wild-type (WT) and synthetic MT IGF-I. Binding analysis of synthetic MT IGF-I to the IGF1R and insulin receptors were performed with EBNA-293 cells, stably transfected with the IGF-I receptor, and IM9 cells. L6 cells were used to examine the mitogenic potency and the potential antagonizing effect of synthetic MT IGF-I by [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation assays. RESULTS: In the sera of both the carriers and non-carriers the proportion of (125)I-IGF-I that was associated with the 150kDa complex was somewhat less (varying between ~37 and ~52%) than in normal pooled serum (~53-~63%) and, instead, slightly increased amounts of radioactivity were eluted in the 40-50kDa fraction (consisting of binary IGF-IGFBP complexes) or remained unbound. Synthetic MT IGF-I did not bind to the IGF-I receptor, nor antagonize the growth-promoting effect of IGF-I. It did bind to IGFBPs, but was barely incorporated into 150kDa complexes. Because in all cases WT IGF-I immunoreactivity was recovered in one peak, corresponding to the MW of WT IGF-I, i.e. ~7.6kDa, an interaction of circulating truncated mutant peptide with WT IGF-I is very unlikely. CONCLUSIONS: There is no evidence that the severe short stature associated with heterozygosity for this novel IGF1 mutation in children born from a mother with the same mutation is caused by a dominant negative effect of the truncated protein. We speculate that the growth failure is caused by a combination of partial IGF-I deficiency, placental IGF-I insufficiency, and other genetic factors. Show less
Context: Homozygous IGF1 deletions or mutations lead to severe short stature, deafness, microcephaly, and mental retardation. Heterozygosity for an IGF-1 defect may modestly decrease height and... Show moreContext: Homozygous IGF1 deletions or mutations lead to severe short stature, deafness, microcephaly, and mental retardation. Heterozygosity for an IGF-1 defect may modestly decrease height and head circumference. Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate the clinical features of heterozygous carriers of a novel mutation in the IGF1 gene in comparison with noncarriers in a short family and to establish the effect of human GH treatment. Subjects: Two children, their mother, and their maternal grandfather carried the mutation and were compared with two relatives who were noncarriers. Results: The two index cases had severe short stature (height SD score -4.1 and -4.6), microcephaly, and low IGF-1 levels. Sequencing of IGF1 revealed a heterozygous duplication of four nucleotides, resulting in a frame shift and a premature termination codon. The mother and maternal grandfather had the same IGF1 mutation. Adult height (corrected for shrinking and secular trend) and head circumference SD score of carriers of the paternally transmitted mutation was -2.5 and -1.8, in comparison with -1.6 and 0.3 in noncarriers, respectively. After 2yr of GH treatment, both index cases exhibited increased growth. Conclusions: Heterozygosity for this novel IGF1 mutation in children born from a mother with the same mutation, presumably in combination with other genetic factors for short stature, leads to severe short stature, which can be successfully treated with GH. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 95: E363-E367, 2010) Show less
