A new type of ATP-sensitive potassium channelopathy : Cantú syndrome

Abstract

  Multiple mutations in Kir6.x and SURx genes have implicated ATP-sensitive potassium (K_ATP) channels and, as a result, have led to diverse diseases, ranging from diabetes and hyperinsulinism to cardiac arrhythmias and cardiovascular disease. These diseases are referred to as K_ATP channelopathies. Recently, Cantú syndrome (CS), which was found to be caused by mutations in the ABCC9 or KCNJ8 gene, was newly added to the list of K_ATP channelopathies. CS is a rare multi-organ disease characterized by congenital hypertrichosis, characteristic face, persistent ductus arteriosus, cardiomegaly, intrauterine overgrowth, and skeletal abnormalities. Congenital hypertrichosis and coarse face have been confirmed in all CS patients. On the other hand, cardiovascular and skeletal abnormalities vary widely in severity, even in some familial cases and in isolated cases sharing the same mutation. Information about genotype-phenotype correlations in CS are described here.