A novel mutation of the growth hormone receptor gene (GHR) in a Chinese girl with Laron syndrome.

Abstract

Laron syndrome, also known as growth hormone insensitivity syndrome (GHIS), is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder associated with severe postnatal growth failure, and normal and/or elevated growth hormone. This disease is frequently caused by a point mutation in the growth hormone receptor gene (GHR). Here, we identified a novel homozygous substitution mutation (E42K: GAG-->AAG at codon 42 cDNA) of the GHR gene in a Chinese girl with Laron syndrome. This mutation was predicted to impair the GHR binding affinity to human growth hormone (hGH), and was responsible for low levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-3, and GH binding protein (GHBP) in serum.