Monogenic obesity in a familial cluster: insights into laurence-moon-bardet-biedl syndrome and leptin deficiency associated with genetic variants in BBS12 and LEPR genes

Authors

  • Versha Rani Rai Department of Paediatric Endocrine and Diabetes, NICH, JSMU, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Syeda Qissa Zehra Zaidi Department of Paediatric Endocrine and Diabetes, NICH, JSMU, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Mohsina Noor Department of Paediatric Endocrine and Diabetes, NICH, JSMU, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Maira Riaz Department of Paediatric Endocrine and Diabetes, NICH, JSMU, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Roomesa Farooq Department of Paediatric Endocrine and Diabetes, NICH, JSMU, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Mehrunnisa Yasir Department of Paediatric Endocrine and Diabetes, NICH, JSMU, Karachi, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20242741

Keywords:

Monogenic obesity, BBS-12, LEPR, LMBBS

Abstract

Monogenic obesity is a rare but clinically significant condition characterized by excessive weight gain due to genetic mutations that affect appetite regulation and energy balance. This case series explores the clinical presentation and genetic underpinnings of monogenic obesity in a familial cluster, focusing on Laurence-Moon-Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (LMBBS) and leptin deficiency associated with genetic variants in the BBS1 and LEPR genes. The index patient, an 11-year-old female, presented with progressive weight gain since infancy, accompanied by acanthosis nigricans on the neck and axillary region. Genetic testing revealed mutations in both the BBS1 and LEPR genes, confirming a monogenic etiology of obesity. Remarkably, her two siblings and a cousin from the paternal side exhibited similar clinical profiles and shared the same genetic variants. This report shows the significance of genetic testing in diagnosing monogenic obesity disorders and highlights the familial clustering observed in such cases. The findings emphasize the need for heightened awareness and consideration of genetic factors in the evaluation of obesity, particularly in pediatric patients with a family history suggestive of monogenic obesity.

References

Huvenne H, Dubern B, Clément K, Poitou C. Rare genetic forms of obesity: clinical approach and current treatments in 2016. Obesity facts. 2016;9(3):158-73.

Kalinderi K, Goula V, Sapountzi E, Tsinopoulou VR, Fidani L. Syndromic and Monogenic Obesity: New Opportunities Due to Genetic-Based Pharmacological Treatment. Children. 2024;11(2):153.

Funcke JB, Schnurbein J, Lennerz B, Lahr G, Debatin KM, Fischer-Posovszky P, et al. Monogenic forms of childhood obesity due to mutations in the leptin gene. Molecular and cellular pediatrics. 2014;1:1-8.

Khan BA, Shahid A, Bin Nazir M, Khan KS, Punshi A. Laurence-Moon-Bardet-Biedl Syndrome: A Case Report. Cureus. 2019;11(9):5618.

Nunziata A, Funcke JB, Borck G, Schnurbein J, Brandt S, Lennerz B, et al. Functional and phenotypic characteristics of human leptin receptor mutations. Journal of the Endocrine Society. 2019;3(1):27-41.

Kleinendorst L, Abawi O, Der Kamp HJ, Alders M, Meijers-Heijboer HE, Rossum EF, et al. Leptin receptor deficiency: a systematic literature review and prevalence estimation based on population genetics. Euro J Endocrinol. 2020;182(1):47-56.

Chaves C, Kay T, Anselmo J. Early onset obesity due to a mutation in the human leptin receptor gene. Endocrinol, Diab and Metabol Case Rep. 2022;1:15-8.

Koves IH, Roth C. Genetic and syndromic causes of obesity and its management. The Indian Journal of Pediatrics. 2018;85:478-85.

Niazi RK, Gjesing AP, Hollensted M, Have CT, Grarup N, Pedersen O, et al. Identification of novel LEPR mutations in Pakistani families with morbid childhood obesity. BMC medical genetics. 2018;19:1-8.

Pawlik B, Mir A, Iqbal H, Li Y, Nürnberg G, Becker C, et al. A novel familial BBS12 mutation associated with a mild phenotype: implications for clinical and molecular diagnostic strategies. Mol Syndromol. 2010;1(1):27-34.

Green JS, Parfrey PS, Harnett JD, Farid NR, Cramer BC. The cardinal manifestations of Bardet-Biedl syndrome, a form of Laurence-Moon-Biedl syndrome. N Engl J Med. 1989;321:1002-9.

Stoetzel C, Laurier V, Davis EE, Muller J, Rix S. BBS10 encodes a vertebrate-specific chaperonin-like protein and is a major BBS locus. Nat Genet. 2006;38:521-4.

Chaves C, Kay T, Anselmo J. Early onset obesity due to a mutation in the human leptin receptor gene. Endocrinol Diabetes Metab Case Rep. 2022;2022:121-4.

Nunziata A, Funcke JB, Borck G, Schnurbein J, Brandt S, Lennerz B, et al. Functional and phenotypic characteristics of human leptin receptor mutations. J Endocr Soc. 2019;3:327-41.

Clement K, Vaisse C, Lahlou N. A mutation in the human leptin receptor gene causes obesity and pituitary dysfunction. Nature. 1998;392:398-401.

Saeed S, Bonnefond A, Manzoor J, Philippe J, Durand E, Arshad M, et al. Novel LEPR mutations in obese Pakistani children identified by PCR-based enrichment and next-generation sequencing. Obesity. 2013;21(11):2260-6.

Downloads

Published

2024-09-24

Issue

Section

Case Series