Kabuki syndrome

Kabuki syndrome
File:KabukiSyndrome2.jpg A child with Kabuki syndrome displaying the typical facial features
Classification and external resources
Specialty
ICD-10	Q87.0
ICD-9-CM	759.89
OMIM	147920
DiseasesDB	32161
Patient UK	Kabuki syndrome
GeneReviews	Kabuki Syndrome

Kabuki syndrome, also previously known as Kabuki makeup syndrome, KMS or Niikawa–Kuroki Syndrome, is a pediatric congenital disorder of suspected genetic origin [1][2] with multiple congenital anomalies and intellectual disabilities. It is quite rare, affecting roughly one in 32,000 births. It was identified and described in 1981 by two Japanese groups, led by the scientists Norio Niikawa and Yoshikazu Kuroki. It is named Kabuki Syndrome because of the facial resemblance of affected individuals to stage makeup used in Kabuki, a Japanese traditional theatrical form.

Description

There is a wide range of congenital problems associated with Kabuki syndrome with large differences between affected individuals. Some of the common problems are heart defects, urinary tract anomalies, hearing loss, hypotonia, recurrent ear infections and postnatal growth deficiency. Other characteristics include skeletal abnormality, joint laxity, short stature, and unusual dermatoglyphic patterns.

In terms of development, mild to moderate intellectual disability is a common feature. Also, children with Kabuki syndrome often have distinctive behavioral features. A few have normal intelligence, most of whom have learning difficulties such as struggling with fine motor, speech skills, and memory.

There is no indication that the life expectancy of individuals with Kabuki syndrome is shortened. Most medical issues are resolved with medical intervention. The fact that there are relatively few adults known with this syndrome is probably related to its recent discovery in 1980 in Japan and around 1990 in Europe and America.

Appearance

File:Kabuki syndrome.jpg

A young patient displaying the facial phenotype typical of Kabuki syndrome

The facial appearance of individuals with this syndrome include long eyelids with turning up of the lateral third of the lower eyelid, a broad and depressed nasal tip, large prominent earlobes, and a cleft or high-arched palate.

Other clinical features often include scoliosis, short fifth finger, persistence of fingerpads, and X-ray abnormalities of the vertebrae, hands, and hip joints.

Causes

Kabuki syndrome is considered autosomal dominant disorder and can be caused by a loss-of-function mutation in two different genes. Hundreds of mutations have been identified in diagnosed Kabuki syndrome patients for these genes. Most of these mutations involve a change in amino acid sequence that codes for a premature stop codon, and therefore nonfunctional, short enzymes. KMT2D, formerly known as the MLL2 gene, is located on chromosome 12 and is one of the genes involved in the development of this disorder. A mutation in the KMT2D gene results in a loss of function for the protein this gene codes for, which is a lysine (K)-specific methyltransferase 2D enzyme. KDM6A is another gene, that when mutated, can lead to Kabuki syndrome. This mutation produces a nonfunctional lysine (K)-specific demethylase 6A. This gene is located on the X chromosome. These two genes belong to a family of genes called chromatin-modifying enzymes. Specifically these genes code for a histone methyltransferase (KMT2D) and a histone demethylase (KDM6A), and play a part in the regulation of gene expression. These enzymes transfer methyl groups on and off histones to regulate genes via epigenetic pathways. Epigenetic activation of certain developmental genes is impaired by loss of either enzyme and developmental abnormalities occur, leading to the characteristics of Kabuki syndrome patients. The specific developmental genes have not been fully identified. It is seen that a majority of these cases are due to de novo mutations (those present in the subject but not in the parents). It is important to note that a percentage of patients did not exhibit a mutation in either gene; other causes are currently being researched.

Treatments

The treatments of Kabuki syndrome are still being developed due to its genetic nature. The first step to treatment is diagnosis. After diagnosis, the treatment of medical conditions can often be treated by medical intervention. There are also options in psychotherapy for young children with this disorder, as well as the family of the child. Genetic counseling is available as a preventative treatment for Kabuki syndrome because it can be inherited and expressed by only having one copy of the mutated gene.

See also

• List of cutaneous conditions

External links

• Supporting Aussie Kids with Kabuki Syndrome - Supporting families since 2004
• GeneReviews/NCBI/NIH/UW entry on Kabuki syndrome, Kabuki Make-Up Syndrome, Niikawa-Kuroki Syndrome
• GeneTests/NIH/NCBI/UW information on Kabuki syndrome gene testing
• ICD-9-CM Diagnosis 759.89 - Other specified congenital anomalies
• Kabuki Syndrome Network - An international Kabuki syndrome support website
• Kabuki UK - The only UK charity offering support to families affected by Kabuki Syndrome
• The Australian Kabuki Syndrome Association - Supporting Australian Kabuki Families