Abstract

BACKGROUND Kindler syndrome (KS) is an autosomal recessive skin disease characterized by actual blistering, photosensitivity and a progressive poikiloderma. The disorder results from rare mutations in the KIND1 gene. This gene contains 15 exons and expresses two kindlin-1 isoforms. OBJECTIVE The aim of this investigation was to analyze mutations in the exons 1 to 15 of KIND1 gene in an Iranian family clinically affected with Kindler syndrome. METHODS The mutations analysis of 15 coding exons of KIND1 gene was performed with PCR-SSCP and direct sequencing in 14 subjects from one Iranian family clinically affected with Kindler syndrome. RESULTS We identified eight new nucleotide changes in KIND1 in this family. These changes were found in g.3892delA, g.3951T>C, g.3962T>G, g.4190G>T, g.7497G>A, g.11076T>C, g.11102C>T and g.13177C>T positions. Among them, the g.13177C>T mutation resulting in the formation of a premature stop codon (Q226X) was detected only in seven affected family individuals as homozygous but was not present in 100 unrelated healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that nonsense mutation may lead to incomplete and non-functional protein products and is pathogenic and has meaningful implications for the diagnosis of patients with Kindler syndrome.