LOXL3, encoding lysyl oxidase-like 3, is mutated in a family with autosomal recessive Stickler syndrome

Stickler syndrome (SS) is a collagenopathy characterized by arthropathy and vitreoretinopathy with high myopia and cleft palate as common features. In a family with an autosomal recessive SS that does not map to genes known to cause autosomal recessive forms of SS, we combined autozygome and exome analysis to identify a novel missense variant in LOXL3 as the likely candidate cause. LOXL3 cross-links collagen II and its morphants phenocopy the craniofacial defects characteristic of collagen XI deficiency. We propose LOXL3 as a novel candidate gene for autosomal recessive SS.