Non-coding structural variants disrupting conserved PITX2 enhancer loci in Axenfeld–Rieger syndrome

Axenfeld-Rieger Syndrome (ARS) is an autosomal dominant condition with both ocular and non-ocular manifestations. ARS is primarily caused by coding variants at the PITX2 or FOXC1 loci, yet many cases still remain undiagnosed. Here we used whole-genome sequencing to identify two families with non-coding structural variants associated with a typical presentation of PITX2-associated ARS: one family with a 450 kb deletion removing a series of conserved enhancer elements distal to PITX2, and the second family with a 12.54 Mb inversion displacing the PITX2 gene from these same enhancer elements. Neither variant disrupted the PITX2 gene itself, and therefore both were expected to reduce PITX2 expression by disrupting its proximity or access to enhancer elements. PITX2 enhancer-disrupting inversions are an emerging genetic mechanism for the development of ARS, which should be carefully considered in the context of ARS and other conditions without a conclusive genetic diagnosis.