A novel mutation of HOXA11 in a patient with septate uterus

Background: The etiology of Mullerian duct anomalies (MDAs) is poorly understood at present The HOXA11 gene is crucial for the development of the Mullerian duct. The objective of this study is to report a unique case of MDAs with a novel mutation in HOXA11. Results: We identified, a potential disease-causing mutation (p. E255K) in a patient with a septate uterus. The mutation was not detected, in 169 control subjects or listed in any databases of variations. Bioinformatic predictions and functional studies showed that the mutation reduces the DNA binding affinity and disrupts transactivation ability of HOXA11. Conclusion: In conclusion, this is the first report to describe a HOXA11 mutation in Chinese women with MDAs. The results demonstrated that mutation in HOXA11 can contribute to the etiology of MDAs, especially the septate uterus, but might not be a common cause.