Autosomal dominant transmission of familial laterality defects

Am J Med Genet. 1996 Feb 2;61(4):325-8. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1096-8628(19960202)61:4<325::AID-AJMG5>3.0.CO;2-T.

Abstract

Heterotaxy results from failure to establish normal left-right asymmetry during embryonic development. Most familial cases are thought to be autosomal recessive. We have identified a family in which 4 individuals from 3 generations manifest laterality defects. Twenty-five family members have been examined. Two have complete reversal of normal laterality (situs inversus) while 2 others have asplenia, midline liver, and complex cardiac malformations (situs ambiguus). Two additional obligate gene carriers are anatomically normal (situs solitus). Male-to-male transmission confirms autosomal inheritance. Identification of this family establishes an autosomal dominant form of laterality defect, suggesting that a portion of sporadic cases may be new-mutation dominant or unrecognized familial cases. The finding of all forms of laterality (solitus, ambiguus, and inversus) among obligate disease gene carriers within a single family may be relevant to genetic evaluation and counseling in apparently isolated patients with laterality disturbance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Chromosome Aberrations*
  • Chromosome Disorders*
  • Female
  • Genes, Dominant*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pedigree
  • Situs Inversus / genetics*