ZEB2

More than 180 mutations in the ZEB2 gene have been identified in people with Mowat-Wilson syndrome. These mutations almost always inactivate one copy of the ZEB2 gene. In some cases, the entire gene is deleted. In other cases, mutations within the gene lead to the production of an abnormally short, nonfunctional version of the ZEB2 protein.

A shortage of the ZEB2 protein disrupts the formation of many organs and tissues before birth. The abnormal development of neural crest-derived structures, such as the nervous system and facial features, underlie many of the signs and symptoms of Mowat-Wilson syndrome. The role of the ZEB2 protein in the development of nerves that control the digestive tract may help explain why many people with this condition also have Hirschsprung disease, an intestinal disorder that causes severe constipation, intestinal blockage, and enlargement of the colon.

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