[Mutational analysis of the muscle segment homeobox gene 1 (MSX1) in Chilean patients with cleft lip/palate].

BACKGROUND Mutations of the MSX1 gene may contribute to non-syndromic forms of cleft lip and/or cleft palate. AIM To search for mutations of MSX1 coding regions, including one highly conserved non-coding region in the single intron, among Chilean patients with cleft lip/palate. PATIENTS AND METHODS We studied 45 patients with cleft lip/palate and their parents. Oral mucosa samples were obtained with a swab. DNA was extracted and amplified by PCR. RESULTS Two missense mutations (G16D and G34A) were identified in this study that may be useful for future admixture studies. The G16D mutation appears to disrupt a possible splicing site and may contribute to clefting in this population. CONCLUSIONS Rare MSX1 mutations are found in some cases of cleft lip and/or cleft palate but others remain to be found most likely in other regulatory regions of the gene.