FG syndrome

FG syndrome (FGS) is a rare genetic syndrome caused by one or more recessive genes located on the X chromosome and causing physical anomalies and developmental delays. FG syndrome was named after the first letters of the surnames of the first patients noted with the disease.[1] First reported by American geneticists John M. Opitz and Elisabeth G. Kaveggia in 1974,[2] its major clinical features include intellectual disability, hyperactivity, hypotonia (low muscle tone), and a characteristic facial appearance including macrocephaly (an abnormally large head).[3]

FG syndrome
Other namesOpitz–Kaveggia syndrome, FGS1
SpecialtyMedical genetics
Usual onsetBirth
DurationLifelong
Risk factorsFamily history (genetics)

Presentation

FG syndrome's major clinical features include intellectual disability, usually severe; hyperactive behavior, often with an outgoing personality; severe constipation, with or without structural anomalies in the anus such as imperforate anus; macrocephaly; severe hypotonia; a characteristic facial appearance due to hypotonia, giving a droopy, "open-mouthed" expression, a thin upper lip, a full or pouting lower lip; and partial or complete loss of the corpus callosum. About a third of reported cases of individuals with FG syndrome die in infancy, usually due to respiratory infection; premature death is rare after infancy.[3]

Developmental effects

Associated with agenesis (absence) of the corpus callosum, intellectual disabilities are common among individuals with FG syndrome. Motor ability is also impaired as a result of FG syndrome and its effects on the development of neurons. During infancy, problems arise in the gastrointestinal and gastroesophageal systems of the body. The most common gastrointestinal problems include constipation from an imperforate anus and gastroesophageal reflux. Cardiopulmonary defects contribute to roughly 60% of premature deaths in infants with FG syndrome. Septal defects are the most common. After infancy, long term survival has been recorded beyond the age of 50.[4]

Genetics

Most mutations that cause FG syndrome can be found in the MED12 gene. However, mutations have also been found in FMR1, FLNA, UPF3B, CASK, MECP2 and ATRX genes.[4] Mutations on these different genes lead to the different types of FG syndrome, all with similar characteristics.[4] The FGS1 type mutation is the most common of the types, and is found in the MED12 gene.[4]

Known types and affected genes include:

Type OMIM Gene Locus
FGS1 305450 MED12 Xq13
FGS2 300321 FLNA Xq28
FGS3 300406 FGS3 Xp22.3
FGS4 300422 CASK Xp11.4-p11.3
FGS5 300581 FGS5 Xq22.3

MED12 gene

The MED12 gene codes for the mediator complex subunit 12 protein.[5] The mediator complex is composed of around 25 different proteins that all help with the regulation of gene activity.[5] This mediator complex regulates gene expression by bridging interaction between RNA polymerase II and gene-specific regulating proteins such as transcription factors, repressor proteins, activator proteins, etc.[5] Changes to this complex and the proteins associated can have a severe impact on the production of new proteins.[5] The MED12 gene is also thought to be highly linked to neuron development as well as high usage in the cells signal transduction pathway.[5] This explains the slowed intellectual development individuals with FG syndrome have.[5]

Diagnosis

There is no established clinical diagnostic criteria for FG syndrome.[6] A healthcare professional might consider the following clinical features in an individual as indicative for further evaluation:[7]

  • Neurodevelopmental delays
  • A family history consistent with X-linked inheritance
  • Characteristic facial features
    • Absolute or relative macrocephaly
    • Dolichocephaly
    • Frontal hair upsweep
    • Tall forehead
    • Downslanted palpebral fissures
    • Widely spaced eyes
    • Fullness of the upper eyelids
    • Small, simple ears (≤10th percentile)
    • Open mouth
    • Long narrow face
  • Broad thumbs and halluces
  • Congenital anomaly (corpus callosum, anal, cardiac, skeletal)
  • Hypotonia, constipation, or feeding problems
  • Characteristic behavior (affable and eager to please)

Treatment

Treatment for FG Syndrome is individualized to each person. It generally involves a team of specialist to manage the symptoms.

History
Kim Peek (1951–2009) probably had FG syndrome.

The name of the syndrome comes from the initials of the surnames of two sisters, who had five sons with the syndrome. The first study of the syndrome, published in 1974,[2] established that it was linked to inheritance of the X chromosome.[8]

A 2008 study concluded that Kim Peek, who was the basis for Dustin Hoffman's character Raymond Babbitt in the movie Rain Man, probably had FG syndrome[8] rather than autism.

See also

References
  1. "Faq Pages". FG Syndrome Family Alliance. fgsyndrome.org. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  2. Opitz JM, Kaveggia EG (1974). "Studies of malformation syndromes of man XXXIII: the FG syndrome. An X-linked recessive syndrome of multiple congenital anomalies and mental retardation". Z Kinderheilkd. 117 (1): 1–18. doi:10.1007/BF00439020. PMID 4365204. S2CID 25141237.
  3. Thompson E, Baraitser M (1987). "FG syndrome". J Med Genet. 24 (3): 139–43. doi:10.1136/jmg.24.3.139. PMC 1049945. PMID 3572995.
  4. Lyons, M (1993). "MED12-Related Disorders". GeneReviews. University of Washington, Seattle. PMID 20301719. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  5. "MED12 - Genetics Home Reference". U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  6. Lyons, Michael J. (1993), Adam, Margaret P.; Ardinger, Holly H.; Pagon, Roberta A.; Wallace, Stephanie E. (eds.), "MED12-Related Disorders", GeneReviews, Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle, PMID 20301719, retrieved 2020-09-01
  7. Lyons, Michael J. (1993), Adam, Margaret P.; Ardinger, Holly H.; Pagon, Roberta A.; Wallace, Stephanie E. (eds.), "MED12-Related Disorders", GeneReviews, Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle, PMID 20301719, retrieved 2020-09-01
  8. Opitz JM, Smith JF, Santoro L (2008). "The FG syndromes (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man 305450): perspective in 2008". Adv Pediatr. 55: 123–70. doi:10.1016/j.yapd.2008.07.014. PMID 19048730.
Classification
External resources
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