Congenital generalized lipodystrophy (CGL) is a genetically heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by the absence of functional adipose tissue. We identified two pedigrees with CGL in the community of the Mestizo tribe in the northern region of Peru. Five cases, ranging from 15 months to 7 years of age, presented with generalized lipodystrophy, muscular prominence, mild intellectual disability, and a striking aged appearance. Sequencing of the BSCL2 gene, known to be mutated in type 2 CGL (CGL2; Berardinelli–Seip syndrome), revealed a homozygous deletion of exon 3 in all five patients examined, suggesting the presence of a founder mutation. This intragenic deletion appeared to be mediated by recombination between Alu sequences in introns 2 and 3. CGL2 in this population is likely underdiagnosed and undertreated because of its geographical, socio-economic, and cultural isolation.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.