De novo mutation in KITLG gene causes a variant of Familial Progressive Hyper- and Hypo-pigmentation (FPHH)

Familial Progressive Hyper- and Hypopigmentation is a pigmentary disorder characterized by a mix of hypo- and hyperpigmented lesions, cafe-au-lait spots and hypopigmented ash-leaf macules. The disorder was previously linked to KITLG and various mutations have been reported to segregate in different families. Furthermore, association between KITLG mutations and malignancies was also suggested. Exome and SANGER sequencing were performed for identification of KITLG mutations. Functional in silico analyses were additionally performed to assess the findings. We identified a de novo mutation in exon 4 of KITLG gene causing NM_000899.4:c.[329A>T] (chr12:88912508A>T) leading to NP_000890.1:p.(Asp110Val) substitution in the 3rd alpha helix. It was predicted as pathogenic, located in a conserved region and causing an increase in hydrophobicity in the KITLG protein. Our findings clearly confirm an additional hot spot of KITLG mutations in the 3rd alpha helix, which very likely increases the risk of malignancies. To our knowledge the present study provides the strongest evidence of association of the KITLG mutation with both Familial Progressive Hyper- and Hypopigmentation and malignancy due to its' location on somatic cancer mutation locus. Additionally we also address difficulties with classification of the unique phenotype and propose a subtype within broader diagnosis.

Automated summary

This study identified a novel pathogenic hotspot mutation in the 3rd alpha helix of the KITLG gene, which may increase the risk of malignancies and provides the strongest evidence of association with both Familial Progressive Hyper- and Hypopigmentation and malignancy.