Novel Connexin 43 (GJA1) mutation causes oculo–dento–digital dysplasia with curly hair

Oculo-dento-digital dysplasia (ODDD) [OMIM 164200] is a rare autosomal dominant pleiotropic disorder comprising ocular, craniofacial, and digital anomalies, caused by mutations in the gap junction alpha-1 gene (GJA1 or Connexin 43 (CX43)) [Paznekas et al., 2003]. In a Danish family affected over five generations, we found a novel mutation, 286G --> A, resulting in Val96Met. We provide an easy method for mutation detection by use of the restriction enzyme Nde1 and discuss possible pathogenetic mechanisms, arguing that loss of function cannot be excluded. This is the second article reporting ODDD mutations.