Noonan Syndrome 4

A number sign (#) is used with this entry because Noonan syndrome-4 (NS4) is caused by heterozygous mutation in the SOS1 gene (182530) on chromosome 2p22.

For a phenotypic description and a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of Noonan syndrome, see NS1 (163950).

Clinical Features

Roberts et al. (2007) and Tartaglia et al. (2007) delineated a Noonan syndrome phenotype caused by mutation in the SOS1 gene that lies within the Noonan syndrome spectrum but is distinctive. Roberts et al. (2007) noted 2 significant differences: pulmonic stenosis was more frequent in patients with SOS1 mutations than in those without SOS1 or PTPN11 mutations, and atrial septal defect was relatively rare in affected individuals with SOS1 mutations compared to those with PTPN11 mutations. Tartaglia et al. (2007) noted ectodermal features including keratosis pilaris and curly hair that were significantly more prevalent among individuals with an SOS1 mutation compared with the general Noonan population. They observed height below the third percentile in only 2 of 15 individuals with an SOS1 mutation, whereas the prevalence is approximately 70% among patients with Noonan syndrome in general and among those with a PTPN11 mutation. In contrast, macrocephaly was overrepresented among those with SOS1 mutations. Only one individual with an SOS1 mutation had mental retardation, potentially attributable to critical illness as a newborn. In comparison, 30% of all children with Noonan syndrome require special education.

Zenker et al. (2007) reported that Noonan syndrome patients with SOS1 mutations commonly had ectodermal manifestations including keratosis pilaris of the face, sparse eyebrows, curly hair, and, in 1 patient, ichthyosiform skin changes. By comparing clinical features of a cohort of 42 patients with PTPN11 mutations derived from a previous study with those of their current study of 28 patients with SOS1 mutations, Zenker et al. (2007) confirmed a significantly higher prevalence of keratosis pilaris/hyperkeratotic skin and curly hair in patients with SOS1 mutations compared with those with PTP11 alterations (58% vs 6% and 78% vs 34%, respectively). Moreover, ocular ptosis was observed more frequently in patients with NS with SOS1 mutations than in patients with a PTPN11 mutation (80% vs 54%).

Ferrero et al. (2008) reported a newborn with Noonan syndrome due to SOS1 mutation (T266K; 182530.0002). He presented with facial dysmorphisms and prenatal anomalies, not associated with other congenital defects. The pregnancy was characterized by polyhydramnios and increased fetal nuchal translucency. Dysmorphic facial features included hypertelorism, epicanthal folds, flat nasal bridge, low-set posteriorly rotated ears, and short neck. Other features included moderated pulmonic stenosis and bilateral cryptorchidism. Developmental milestones were normal at 24 months of age. There were no coagulation abnormalities.

Other Features

Mascheroni et al. (2008) reported a girl with NS4 who presented at age 13 years with swelling and severe pain in her right foot and ankle, which was found to result from pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS). Histologically, the synovia was hyperplastic, with villi covered by reactive-appearing synovial cells in multiple layers and histio-fibroblastic and capillary proliferation. History revealed that she had congenital pulmonary valve stenosis and ventricular septal defect, and a coagulopathy with partial factor VIII and XI deficiencies. Physical examination showed short stature, curly hair, sparse eyebrows, hypertelorism, flat nasal bridge, epicanthal folds, prominent pale blue eyes, bilateral ptosis, thick lips, low-set retroverted ears with thickened helices, facial keratosis pilaris, wide-spaced nipples, pectus excavatum, and scoliosis. Psychomotor and cognitive development was normal. Mascheroni et al. (2008) suggested that PVNS is a proliferative lesion that can be part of the phenotypic spectrum of Noonan syndrome.

Hanna et al. (2009) reported 2 brothers, born of consanguineous parents, with Noonan syndrome-like disorder with multiple giant cell lesions. One boy presented at age 4.5 years with a 2-year history of bilateral progressive swelling of the mandible. A preliminary diagnosis of cherubism (118400) was considered. Radiographic studies showed multilocular lesions of the mandibular rami, consistent with giant cell lesions. The boy's 6.5-year-old brother presented with severe pulmonary valvular stenosis and was found to have similar multilocular lesions of the mandible as his brother. Both boys had characteristic facial features of Noonan syndrome, including high anterior hairline with frontal bossing, follicular hyperkeratosis of the forehead (keratosis pilaris), depressed nasal bridge, hypertelorism, downslanting palpebral fissures, and low-set and posteriorly angulated ears with thick helices. Other features included short neck and widely spaced nipples. Both showed normal development and normal stature. The father showed milder features of the disorder, with long face, downslanting palpebral fissures, low-set ears, and widely spaced nipples. Molecular studies identified a heterozygous mutation in the SOS1 gene (W432R; 182530.0006) in all 3 individuals.

Molecular Genetics

Roberts et al. (2007) and Tartaglia et al. (2007) found mutation in the SOS1 gene (182530) in Noonan syndrome patients without mutation in PTPN11 (176876) or KRAS2 (190070). Gain-of-function mutations in PTPN11, which encodes the tyrosine phosphatase SHP2, cause approximately 50% of Noonan syndrome cases, and less than 5% of cases are caused by mutations in KRAS2. SHP2 is required for RAS-ERK MAP kinase (MAPK; see 176948) cascade activation, and Noonan syndrome mutants enhance ERK activation ex vivo and in mice. The phenotypically related cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome (CFCS; 115150) is caused by gain-of-function mutations in 1 of 4 different genes: KRAS, BRAF (164757), MEK1 (176872), or MEK2 (601263). The common features of these disorders probably result from increased ERK activation (Roberts et al., 2007). Discovery of these disease genes have established Noonan syndrome and related traits as disorders of dysregulated RAS-MAPK signaling (Tartaglia et al., 2007). Noonan syndrome-associated SOS1 mutations are hypermorphs encoding products that enhance RAS and ERK activation. They represent a major cause of Noonan syndrome and the first example of activating mutations in a RAS guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) associated with human disease.

Zenker et al. (2007) investigated SOS1 in a large cohort of patients with disorders of the NS-CFCS spectrum, who had previously tested negative for mutations in PTPN11, KRAS, BRAF, MEK1, and MEK2. Missense mutations of SOS1 were discovered in 28% of patients with Noonan syndrome, thus confirming SOS1 as the second major gene for that disorder.