A truncation mutation in the L1CAM gene in a child with hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus is a neurodevelopmental, X-linked recessive disorder caused by mutations in the L1CAM gene. The L1CAM gene encodes for L1CAM protein which is essential for the nervous system development including adhesion between neurons, Myelination, Synaptogenesis etc. Herein, the present study has reported mutations in L1 syndrome patient with Hydrocephalus and Adducted thumb. Genomic DNA was extracted from patients whole blood (n = 18). The 11 exons of the L1CAM gene were amplified using specific PCR primers. The sequenced data was analysed and the pathogenicity of the mutation was predicted using the various bioinformatics programs: PROVEAN, PolyPhen2, and MUpro. The results revealed that the proband described here had nonsense mutation G1120→T at position 1120 in exon 9 which is in extracellular immunoglobulin domain (Ig4) of the L1CAM gene. This nonsense mutation is found to be truncated with a deleterious effect on developing brain of the child, and this is the first report of this novel mutation in patient with X-linked Hydrocephalus in India.