Identification of three novel FGF16 mutations in X-linked recessive fusion of the fourth and fifth metacarpals and possible correlation with heart disease

Nonsense mutations in FGF16 have recently been linked to X-linked recessive hand malformations with fusion between the fourth and the fifth metacarpals and hypoplasia of the fifth digit (MF4; MIM#309630). The purpose of this study was to perform careful clinical phenotyping and to define molecular mechanisms behind X-linked recessive MF4 in three unrelated families. We performed whole-exome sequencing, and identified three novel mutations in FGF16. The functional impact of FGF16 loss was further studied using morpholino-based suppression of fgf16 in zebrafish. In addition, clinical investigations revealed reduced penetrance and variable expressivity of the MF4 phenotype. Cardiac disorders, including myocardial infarction and atrial fibrillation followed the X-linked FGF16 mutated trait in one large family. Our findings establish that a mutation in exon 1, 2 or 3 of FGF16 results in X-linked recessive MF4 and expand the phenotypic spectrum of FGF16 mutations to include a possible correlation with heart disease.