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Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome
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This entry is adapted from the peer-reviewed paper https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/smith-lemli-opitz-syndrome

Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome is a developmental disorder that affects many parts of the body.

genetic conditions
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Subjects: Genetics & Heredity
Contributor MDPI registered users' name will be linked to their SciProfiles pages. To register with us, please refer to https://encyclopedia.pub/register :
Nora Tang
View Times: 294
Entry Collection: MedlinePlus
Revision: 1 time (View History)
Update Date: 25 Dec 2020
Table of Contents

    1. Introduction

    This condition is characterized by distinctive facial features, small head size (microcephaly), intellectual disability or learning problems, and behavioral problems. Many affected children have the characteristic features of autism, a developmental condition that affects communication and social interaction. Malformations of the heart, lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and genitalia are also common. Infants with Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome have weak muscle tone (hypotonia), experience feeding difficulties, and tend to grow more slowly than other infants. Most affected individuals have fused second and third toes (syndactyly), and some have extra fingers or toes (polydactyly).

    The signs and symptoms of Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome vary widely. Mildly affected individuals may have only minor physical abnormalities with learning and behavioral problems. Severe cases can be life-threatening and involve profound intellectual disability and major physical abnormalities.

    2. Frequency

    Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome affects an estimated 1 in 20,000 to 60,000 newborns. This condition is most common in whites of European ancestry, particularly people from Central European countries such as Slovakia and the Czech Republic. It is very rare among African and Asian populations.

    3. Causes

    Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome is caused by mutations in the DHCR7 gene, which provides instructions for making an enzyme called 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase. This enzyme is responsible for the final step in the production of cholesterol. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is produced in the body and obtained from foods that come from animals (particularly egg yolks, meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products). Cholesterol is necessary for normal embryonic development and has important functions both before and after birth. It is a structural component of cell membranes and the protective substance covering nerve cells (myelin). Additionally, cholesterol plays a role in the production of certain hormones and digestive acids.

    Mutations in the DHCR7 gene reduce or eliminate the activity of 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase, preventing cells from producing enough cholesterol. A lack of this enzyme also allows toxic byproducts of cholesterol production to build up in the blood, nervous system, and other tissues. The combination of low cholesterol levels and an accumulation of other substances likely disrupts the growth and development of many body systems. It is not completely understood, however, how either abnormality leads to the specific features of Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome.

    3.1. The Genes Associated with Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome

    • DHCR7

    4. Inheritance

    This condition is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, which means both copies of the gene in each cell have mutations. The parents of an individual with an autosomal recessive condition each carry one copy of the mutated gene, but they typically do not show signs and symptoms of the condition.

    5. Other Names for This Condition

    • 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase deficiency

    • RSH Syndrome

    • SLO syndrome

    • SLOS

    References

    1. Bianconi SE, Cross JL, Wassif CA, Porter FD. Pathogenesis, Epidemiology,Diagnosis and Clinical Aspects of Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome. Expert Opin Orphan Drugs. 2015 Mar;3(3):267-280.
    2. Jira PE, Waterham HR, Wanders RJ, Smeitink JA, Sengers RC, Wevers RA.Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome and the DHCR7 gene. Ann Hum Genet. 2003 May;67(Pt3):269-80. Review.
    3. Nowaczyk MJ, Waye JS, Douketis JD. DHCR7 mutation carrier rates and prevalenceof the RSH/Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome: where are the patients? Am J Med Genet A. 2006 Oct 1;140(19):2057-62. Review.
    4. Nowaczyk MJ, Waye JS. The Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome: a novel metabolic way ofunderstanding developmental biology, embryogenesis, and dysmorphology. ClinGenet. 2001 Jun;59(6):375-86. Review.
    5. Nowaczyk MJM, Wassif CA. Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome. 1998 Nov 13 [updated 2020Jan 30]. In: Adam MP, Ardinger HH, Pagon RA, Wallace SE, Bean LJH, Stephens K,Amemiya A, editors. GeneReviews® [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University ofWashington, Seattle; 1993-2020. Available fromhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1143/
    6. Porter FD. RSH/Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome: a multiple congenitalanomaly/mental retardation syndrome due to an inborn error of cholesterolbiosynthesis. Mol Genet Metab. 2000 Sep-Oct;71(1-2):163-74. Review.
    7. Sikora DM, Pettit-Kekel K, Penfield J, Merkens LS, Steiner RD. The nearuniversal presence of autism spectrum disorders in children withSmith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome. Am J Med Genet A. 2006 Jul 15;140(14):1511-8.
    8. Waterham HR, Hennekam RC. Mutational spectrum of Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome.Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet. 2012 Nov 15;160C(4):263-84. doi:10.1002/ajmg.c.31346.
    9. Yu H, Patel SB. Recent insights into the Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome. ClinGenet. 2005 Nov;68(5):383-91. Review. Erratum in: Clin Genet. 2005 Dec;68(6):570.
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    Information
    Subjects: Genetics & Heredity
    Contributor MDPI registered users' name will be linked to their SciProfiles pages. To register with us, please refer to https://encyclopedia.pub/register :
    Nora Tang
    View Times: 294
    Entry Collection: MedlinePlus
    Revision: 1 time (View History)
    Update Date: 25 Dec 2020
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      Tang, N. Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome. Encyclopedia. Available online: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/5702 (accessed on 04 October 2023).
      Tang N. Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome. Encyclopedia. Available at: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/5702. Accessed October 04, 2023.
      Tang, Nora. "Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome" Encyclopedia, https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/5702 (accessed October 04, 2023).
      Tang, N.(2020, December 25). Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome. In Encyclopedia. https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/5702
      Tang, Nora. "Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome." Encyclopedia. Web. 25 December, 2020.
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