Identification of a novel nonsense mutation of the neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor type 1 gene in two siblings with congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis

Objective To explore the aetiology of congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA) in two Chinese siblings with typical CIPA symptoms including insensitivity to pain, inability to sweat, and self-mutilating behaviours. Methods Clinical examination and genetic testing were conducted of all available family members, and the findings were used to create a pedigree. Mutation screening using PCR amplification and DNA Sanger sequencing of the entire neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor type 1 gene ( NTRK1) including intron-exon boundaries was used to identify mutations associated with CIPA. Results A novel nonsense mutation (c.7C > T, p. Arg3Ter) and a known splice-site mutation (c.851-33 T > A) were detected in NTRK1 and shown to be associated with CIPA. Conclusion Our findings expand the known mutation spectrum of NTRK1 and provide insights into the aetiology of CIPA.