Seckel syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder involving dwarfism and mental retardation. In an Advance Online Publication in Nature Genetics O'Driscoll et al. report the discovery of a mutation in the DNA-repair kinase ATR, in Seckel syndrome patients (NatureGenetics, 17 March 2003, doi:10.1038/ng1129). The ATR (ataxia-telangiectasia and Rad3-related) gene mapped to chromosome 3q22.1-q24, which had been genetically linked to Seckel syndrome. Fibroblasts from patients had impaired ATR function and response to ultraviolet radiation. O'Driscoll et al. identified a synonymous mutation that affects ATR splicing, and that causes reduced ATR protein levels. This is the first report linking ATR signalling to a clinical disorder.

1. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/dispomim.cgi?id=210600] webcite

   Seckel syndrome

2. [http://www.nature.com/naturegenetics] webcite

   Nature Genetics

3. ATM and ATR: networking cellular responses to DNA damage.

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