Encyclopedia
EvC ciliary complex subunit 2
- genes
1. Normal Function
The EVC2 gene provides instructions for making a protein whose function is unknown. However, it appears to be important for normal growth and development, particularly the development of bones and teeth. The EVC2 protein is found in primary cilia, which are microscopic, finger-like projections that stick out from the surface of cells and are involved in signaling pathways that transmit information between cells. In particular, the EVC2 protein is thought to help regulate a signaling pathway known as Sonic Hedgehog, which plays roles in cell growth, cell specialization, and the normal shaping (patterning) of many parts of the body.
EVC2 and another gene, EVC, are located very close together on chromosome 4. Researchers believe that the two genes may have related functions and that their activity may be coordinated.
2. Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes
2.1 Ellis-van Creveld Syndrome
More than 30 mutations in the EVC2 gene have been found to cause Ellis-van Creveld syndrome, an inherited disorder characterized by dwarfism, abnormal nails and teeth, and heart defects. The mutations that cause this condition occur in both copies of the EVC2 gene in each cell. Most of the genetic changes lead to the production of an abnormally small, nonfunctional version of the EVC2 protein. Although it is unclear how the loss of this protein's function underlies the signs and symptoms of Ellis-van Creveld syndrome, researchers believe that it may prevent normal Sonic Hedgehog signaling in the developing embryo. Problems with this signaling pathway may ultimately lead to the abnormal bone growth and heart defects seen with this condition.
2.2 Weyers Acrofacial Dysostosis
At least three mutations in the EVC2 gene have been found to cause Weyers acrofacial dysostosis, a condition that affects the development of the teeth, nails, and bones. Its signs and symptoms are similar to, but typically milder than, those of Ellis-van Creveld syndrome.
The mutations that cause Weyers acrofacial dysostosis occur in one copy of the EVC2 gene in each cell. Each mutation changes a single protein building block (amino acid) near the end of the EVC2 protein. These mutations probably result in the production of an abnormally short, malfunctioning version of the protein. It is unclear how the defective protein leads to the specific features of Weyers acrofacial dysostosis. Studies suggest that it interferes with Sonic Hedgehog signaling in the developing embryo, disrupting the normal formation and growth of the teeth, nails, and bones.
3. Other Names for This Gene
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Ellis van Creveld syndrome 2
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Ellis van Creveld syndrome 2 (limbin)
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LBN
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LBN_HUMAN
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limbin
This entry is adapted from the peer-reviewed paper https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/evc2
References
- Blair HJ, Tompson S, Liu YN, Campbell J, MacArthur K, Ponting CP, Ruiz-PerezVL, Goodship JA. Evc2 is a positive modulator of Hedgehog signalling thatinteracts with Evc at the cilia membrane and is also found in the nucleus. BMCBiol. 2011 Feb 28;9:14. doi: 10.1186/1741-7007-9-14.
- Dorn KV, Hughes CE, Rohatgi R. A Smoothened-Evc2 complex transduces theHedgehog signal at primary cilia. Dev Cell. 2012 Oct 16;23(4):823-35. doi:10.1016/j.devcel.2012.07.004.
- Galdzicka M, Patnala S, Hirshman MG, Cai JF, Nitowsky H, Egeland JA, Ginns EI.A new gene, EVC2, is mutated in Ellis-van Creveld syndrome. Mol Genet Metab. 2002Dec;77(4):291-5.
- Morrell CH, Brant LJ. Modelling hearing thresholds in the elderly. Stat Med.1991 Sep;10(9):1453-64.
- Ruiz-Perez VL, Goodship JA. Ellis-van Creveld syndrome and Weyers acrodentaldysostosis are caused by cilia-mediated diminished response to hedgehog ligands. Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet. 2009 Nov 15;151C(4):341-51. doi:10.1002/ajmg.c.30226. Review.
- Ruiz-Perez VL, Tompson SW, Blair HJ, Espinoza-Valdez C, Lapunzina P, Silva EO,Hamel B, Gibbs JL, Young ID, Wright MJ, Goodship JA. Mutations in twononhomologous genes in a head-to-head configuration cause Ellis-van Creveldsyndrome. Am J Hum Genet. 2003 Mar;72(3):728-32.
- Sund KL, Roelker S, Ramachandran V, Durbin L, Benson DW. Analysis of Ellis vanCreveld syndrome gene products: implications for cardiovascular development anddisease. Hum Mol Genet. 2009 May 15;18(10):1813-24. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddp098.
- Tompson SW, Ruiz-Perez VL, Blair HJ, Barton S, Navarro V, Robson JL, WrightMJ, Goodship JA. Sequencing EVC and EVC2 identifies mutations in two-thirds ofEllis-van Creveld syndrome patients. Hum Genet. 2007 Jan;120(5):663-70.
- Valencia M, Lapunzina P, Lim D, Zannolli R, Bartholdi D, Wollnik B, Al-AjlouniO, Eid SS, Cox H, Buoni S, Hayek J, Martinez-Frias ML, Antonio PA, Temtamy S,Aglan M, Goodship JA, Ruiz-Perez VL. Widening the mutation spectrum of EVC andEVC2: ectopic expression of Weyer variants in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts disruptsHedgehog signaling. Hum Mutat. 2009 Dec;30(12):1667-75. doi: 10.1002/humu.21117.
- Ye X, Song G, Fan M, Shi L, Jabs EW, Huang S, Guo R, Bian Z. A novelheterozygous deletion in the EVC2 gene causes Weyers acrofacial dysostosis. HumGenet. 2006 Mar;119(1-2):199-205.
