X-linked anhidrotic (hypohidrotic) ectodermal dysplasia is caused by mutation in a novel transmembrane protein
- Nat Genet. 1996 Aug;13(4):409-16. doi: 10.1038/ng0895-409.
- 1. Department of Medical Genetics, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Finland.
Ectodermal dysplasias comprise over 150 syndromes of unknown pathogenesis. X-linked anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (EDA) is characterized by abnormal hair, teeth and sweat glands. We now describe the positional cloning of the gene mutated in EDA. Two exons, separated by a 200-kilobase intron, encode a predicted 135-residue transmembrane protein. The gene is disrupted in six patients with X;autosome translocations or submicroscopic deletions; nine patients had point mutations. The gene is expressed in keratinocytes, hair follicles, and sweat glands, and in Other adult and fetal tissues. The predicted EDA protein may belong to a novel class with a role in epithelial-mesenchymal signalling.