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The Leucine-Rich Repeat-Containing G Protein-Coupled Receptor 8 Gene T222P Mutation Does Not Cause Cryptorchidism

Andrology Unit (F.N., E.M., C.G., G.F., C.K.), Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, 50139 Firenze, Italy; Andrology-Urology Division (E.E.), National Health Center, 1112 Budapest, Hungary; Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Institute (M.E.-H.), Menufiya University (Molecular Diagnostics Department), Egypt; Andrology Service (M.G.E., E.A., E.R.-C., C.K.), Fundacio Puigvert, 08025 Barcelona, Spain; Division of Endocrinology (G.B.), Institute of Internal Medicine Polytechnic University of Marche, 60100 Ancona, Italy; Department of Paediatric Urology (M.M.), Heim Pál Children s Hospital, Budapest H-1089, Hungary; and Faculty of Medicine (K.Z.M.S), Cairo University, Cario, 11511, Egypt

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Csilla Krausz, Andrology Unit, Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Firenze, Italy. E-mail: c.krausz{at}dfc.unifi.it.

Context: Insulin-like 3 and its receptor, leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 8 (LGR8), are essential for the first phase of testicular descent. Homozygous loss of either of the two genes in mice leads to cryptorchidism. Although mutations in both homologous human genes are not a common cause of cryptorchidism. To date, only one missense mutation at codon 222 (T222P) of the LGR8 gene has been proposed as a causative mutation for cryptorchidism. This conclusion was based on both functional in vitro studies and the lack of mutation in a large group of controls. The geographical origin of the mutation carriers suggested a founder effect in the Mediterranean area.

Objectives: We sought to define the frequency of the T222P mutation in four different countries to assess whether the screening for this mutation could be of use as a diagnostic genetic test.

Materials and Methods: A total of 822 subjects (359 with a history of cryptorchidism and 463 controls) from Italy, Spain, Hungary, and Egypt were genotyped for the T222P mutation by direct sequencing.

Results: The phenotypical expression of the mutation also included normal testicular descent. The mutation frequency was not significantly different in cryptorchid patients vs. noncryptorchid controls (3.6 vs. 1.7%, respectively). No significant geographical differences were observed in mutation frequencies. The haplotype analysis allowed us to predict three distinct haplotypes, i.e. three possible mutation events.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that the T222P mutation cannot be considered either causative or a susceptibility factor for cryptorchidism. A true causative mutation in the LGR8 gene still remains to be identified.

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