ZNF81-Related XLMR

The Ambry Test: ZNF81-Related XLMR includes gene sequence analysis of the ZNF81 gene. Testing is also available for individual mutations in families in which a specific ZNF81 mutation has previously been identified.

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The Ambry Test: ZNF81-Related XLMR includes gene sequence analysis of the ZNF81 gene. Testing is also available for individual mutations in families in which a specific ZNF81 mutation has previously been identified.

Next-Gen Sequencing of ZNF81 is also available as part of Ambry's XLMR Next-Gen SuperPanel™. It cannot be ordered separately. 

Disease Name 
X-Linked Intellectual Disabilities
ZNF81-Related XLMR
Disease Information 

 Mental retardation (MR) involves a complex collection of clinically and genetically diverse disorders. Diagnosis of MR is typically based on three main criteria: onset of symptoms before the age of 18, intellectual abilities significantly lower than average, and reduced adaptive skills. Individuals with MR tend to struggle in areas including communication, health, interpersonal/social skills, leisure, safety, self-guidance and care, school performance, and work.

X-linked mental retardation (XLMR) is associated with more than 200 conditions linked to >90 genes on the X chromosome. XLMR affects approximately 1/600-1/1000 males, as well as a significant number of females.   Mutations in these genes have been shown to be an underlying cause of mental retardation, which may or may not be associated with other congenital anomalies, developmental delay, autism, dysmorphism, and numerous genetic syndromes.  One of the XLMR assoicated genes is ZNF81.

The ZNF81 gene encodes a putative transcription factor with Krupple-type zinc finger binding motifs, but its specific biologic functions are yet to be determined. The ZNF81 gene is located at Xp11.23 and contains 4 coding exons. Missense mutations and a complex rearrangement disrupting the ZNF81 gene have been reported in patients with X-linked mental retardation (Kleefstra T et al. J Med Genet. 2004;41:394-399). 

Testing Benefits & Indication 

ZNF81 genetic testing may be considered for any individual with idiopathic syndromic or non-syndromic mental retardation, developmental delay, and learning disabilities with or without congenital abnormalities. 

Carrier testing for at-risk family members and prenatal testing are available for families in which a specific mutation in ZNF81 has been identified.

Test Description 

Genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (gDNA) is isolated from the patient’s specimen using a standardized kit and quantified by agarose gel electrophoresis.  If gene sequence analysis is requested, all the analyzed regions of the gene are amplified through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the exact nature of the gene’s sequence variation(s) can be identified through double-stranded sequencing from sense and anti-sense directions.  If specific mutation analysis is requested, only specific region(s) of DNA is (are) amplified by PCR and sequenced. ZNF81 exons 3-6 plus at least 20 bases into the 5’ and 3’ ends of all the introns are analyzed.  The following sites are used to search for previously described ZNF81 mutations and polymorphisms: Human Gene Mutation Database (HGMD) and online search engines (e.g. PubMed). 

Billing Codes 
Test Code Technique CPT Codes
3600 ZNF81-Related XLMR 83891x1, 83894x8, 83898x7, 83904x14, 83909x14, 83912x1

 

Turnaround Time 
Technique Days
ZNF81-Related XLMR 21-35

 

Specialty 
Genes