Rett syndrome (RTT) is an X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by developmental regression with loss of motor, communication and social skills, onset of stereotypic hand movements and often seizures. RTT is primarily caused by de novo mutations in the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 gene (MECP2). We established a high-resolution melting (HRM) technique for mutation scanning of the MECP2 gene and performed analyses in Czech patients with RTT, autism spectrum conditions and intellectual disability with Rett-like features. In the cases with confirmed MECP2 mutations, we determined X-chromosome inactivation (XCI), examined the relationships between genotype and clinical severity and evaluated the modifying influence of XCI. Our results demonstrate that HRM analysis is a reliable method for the detection of point mutations, small deletions and duplications in the MECP2 gene. We identified 29 pathogenic mutations in 75 girls, including four novel mutations: c.155_1189del1035;909_932inv;insC, c.573delC, c.857_858dupAA and c.1163_1200del38. Skewed XCI (ratio >75%) was found in 19.3% of the girls, but no gross divergence in clinical severity was observed. Our findings confirm a high mutation frequency in classic RTT (92%) and a correlation between the MECP2 mutation type and clinical severity. We also demonstrate limitations of XCI in explaining all of the phenotypic differences in RTT.

• MeSH
• Alleles MeSH
• Child MeSH
• Exons MeSH
• Phenotype * MeSH
• Genetic Predisposition to Disease MeSH
• Genetic Association Studies * MeSH
• Genotype * MeSH
• X Chromosome Inactivation MeSH
• Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Mutation * MeSH
• DNA Mutational Analysis MeSH
• Child, Preschool MeSH
• Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 genetics   MeSH
• Rett Syndrome diagnosis   genetics   MeSH
• Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques MeSH
• Check Tag
• Child MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Child, Preschool MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 MeSH