Two Novel Heterozygous Variants in RecA2 Domain of DHX37 Cause 46,XY Gonadal Dysgenesis and Testicular Regression Syndrome

Abstract

Introduction: The pathogenic variants in DEAH-box RNA helicase DHX37 are one of the major causes of 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis and testicular regression syndrome (TRS). To date, only 13 different missense variants have been reported. We report two additional cases with different clinical presentations carrying two novel variants in the DHX37 gene. Case Presentation and Results: Case 1 (4.4-year-old boy) presented with significant micropenis and cryptorchidism and was diagnosed as TRS. Case 2 (13.5-year-old girl) had a 46,XY karyotype with female external genitalia and was diagnosed as GD. Two novel DHX37 variants affecting the RecA2 domain, p.G478R and p.L627F, were identified in these cases. Both variants identified in the probands were also present in their unaffected mother. Conclusion: Our findings broaden the variant spectrum of DHX37 in 46,XY differences of sex development (DSD) individuals.