查看文章

Background. Hepatocyte nuclear factor-1β (HNF-1β) is a critical transcription factor in pancreatic and renal development. Our previous report identified HNF-1β mutations in 23/160 patients with unexplained renal disease. The most common phenotype is renal cysts, which is frequently associated with early-onset diabetes in the renal cysts and diabetes (RCAD) syndrome. HNF-1β gene deletions have recently been shown to cause renal malformations and early-onset diabetes.

Methods. We developed a multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) assay for HNF-1β gene dosage analysis and tested patients with unexplained renal disease in whom mutations had not been found by sequencing.

Results. Whole HNF-1β gene deletions were detected in 15/133 probands. Renal cysts were present in 13/15, including three with glomerulocystic kidney disease and one with …