Redefining the MED13L syndrome

Eur J Hum Genet. 2015 Oct;23(10):1308-17. doi: 10.1038/ejhg.2015.26. Epub 2015 Mar 11.

Abstract

Congenital cardiac and neurodevelopmental deficits have been recently linked to the mediator complex subunit 13-like protein MED13L, a subunit of the CDK8-associated mediator complex that functions in transcriptional regulation through DNA-binding transcription factors and RNA polymerase II. Heterozygous MED13L variants cause transposition of the great arteries and intellectual disability (ID). Here, we report eight patients with predominantly novel MED13L variants who lack such complex congenital heart malformations. Rather, they depict a syndromic form of ID characterized by facial dysmorphism, ID, speech impairment, motor developmental delay with muscular hypotonia and behavioral difficulties. We thereby define a novel syndrome and significantly broaden the clinical spectrum associated with MED13L variants. A prominent feature of the MED13L neurocognitive presentation is profound language impairment, often in combination with articulatory deficits.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abnormalities, Multiple / genetics*
  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intellectual Disability / genetics
  • Male
  • Mediator Complex / genetics*
  • Muscle Hypotonia / genetics
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Phenotype
  • Syndrome
  • Transposition of Great Vessels / genetics

Substances

  • MED13L protein, human
  • Mediator Complex