Novel splicing mutation in the NEMO (IKK-gamma) gene with severe immunodeficiency and heterogeneity of X-chromosome inactivation.

We report on a family with three stillborn males, three affected males who were small for gestational age and died within 8 months, and one male who died at age 5 years. This boy had cone-shaped teeth and oligoodontia. He had serious bacterial infections and inflammatory bowel disease. Mutations in the NF-kappaB essential modulator (NEMO) gene have recently been shown to be the cause of a group of ectodermal dysplasia and immunodeficiency disorders (EDA-ID). Analysis of the NEMO gene revealed a nucleotide change in the consensus sequence of the splicing donor site of exon 6 IVS6 + 5G --> A(1027 + 5G --> A), which has not previously been described in EDA-ID. RT-PCR analysis of fibroblast RNA from an aborted affected male fetus demonstrated a skipping of exons 4, 5, and 6 which resulted in a truncated protein of about 35 kDa revealed by NEMO antibody. The skipping of exons 4, 5, and 6 did not affect the ORF of the C-terminal of NEMO encoded by exons 7, 8, 9, and 10, which contains a coiled-coil motif (CC2), a leucin-zipper (LZ), and a zinc finger motif (ZF) sub-domains of NEMO. IkappaBalpha degradation was strongly impaired in the fetal fibroblasts, suggesting an impaired NF-kappaB signaling. One healthy carrier had a completely skewed X-inactivation pattern with the normal X active, whereas the two other carriers had a random X-inactivation pattern. This family may represent a new phenotype within the EDA-ID disorders. From the heterogeneity in X-inactivation phenotype, we conclude that this mutation is not deleterious enough to be lethal for peripheral blood cells.