Normal Function
The BCOR gene provides instructions for making a protein known as the BCL6 corepressor. A corepressor is a protein that cannot attach (bind) to DNA by itself, but interacts with other DNA-binding proteins to suppress the activity of certain genes. In this case, the BCL6 corepressor partners with the DNA-binding protein produced from the BCL6 gene. The BCL6 gene plays an important role in the function and survival of certain immune system cells.
Researchers have found that the BCOR gene is active throughout the body, not just in the immune system. This widespread activity suggests that the BCL6 corepressor has other functions in addition to its interaction with the BCL6 protein. The BCL6 corepressor appears to play a critical role in early embryonic development, including the formation of the eyes and several other tissues and organs. Scientists believe that the BCL6 corepressor may also be involved in specifying the left and right sides of the body in the developing embryo.
Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes
Oculofaciocardiodental syndrome
Mutations in the BCOR gene can cause oculofaciocardiodental (OFCD) syndrome. Some of these mutations delete large amounts of genetic material from the BCOR gene, while other mutations alter the gene's instructions such that no BCL6 corepressor protein can be produced. A loss of this protein disrupts the normal development of the eyes and several other organs and tissues before birth.
OFCD syndrome occurs exclusively in females. OFCD syndrome has an X-linked dominant inheritance pattern, which means one altered copy of the BCOR gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the condition. The genetic changes that underlie OFCD syndrome prevent the production of any BCL6 corepressor protein. In males, who have only one X chromosome in each cell, these mutations result in a total loss of the BCL6 corepressor. A lack of this protein appears to be lethal very early in development, so no males are born with OFCD syndrome. In females, who have two X chromosomes in each cell, some cells produce a normal amount of BCL6 corepressor protein and other cells produce none. The resulting overall reduction in the amount of this protein leads to the signs and symptoms of OFCD syndrome.
More About This Health ConditionMicrophthalmia
MedlinePlus Genetics provides information about Microphthalmia
More About This Health ConditionOther Names for This Gene
- 5830466J11Rik
- 8430401K06Rik
- ANOP2
- BCL-6 interacting corepressor
- BCL6 co-repressor
- BCOR_HUMAN
- FLJ20285
- FLJ38041
- KIAA1575
- MAA2
- MCOPS2
- MGC131961
- MGC71031
Additional Information & Resources
Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry
Scientific Articles on PubMed
Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM
References
- Hilton EN, Manson FD, Urquhart JE, Johnston JJ, Slavotinek AM, Hedera P, Stattin EL, Nordgren A, Biesecker LG, Black GC. Left-sided embryonic expression of the BCL-6 corepressor, BCOR, is required for vertebrate laterality determination. Hum Mol Genet. 2007 Jul 15;16(14):1773-82. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddm125. Epub 2007 May 21. Citation on PubMed
- Horn D, Chyrek M, Kleier S, Luttgen S, Bolz H, Hinkel GK, Korenke GC, Riess A, Schell-Apacik C, Tinschert S, Wieczorek D, Gillessen-Kaesbach G, Kutsche K. Novel mutations in BCOR in three patients with oculo-facio-cardio-dental syndrome, but none in Lenz microphthalmia syndrome. Eur J Hum Genet. 2005 May;13(5):563-9. doi: 10.1038/sj.ejhg.5201391. Citation on PubMed
- Huynh KD, Fischle W, Verdin E, Bardwell VJ. BCoR, a novel corepressor involved in BCL-6 repression. Genes Dev. 2000 Jul 15;14(14):1810-23. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
- Ng D, Thakker N, Corcoran CM, Donnai D, Perveen R, Schneider A, Hadley DW, Tifft C, Zhang L, Wilkie AO, van der Smagt JJ, Gorlin RJ, Burgess SM, Bardwell VJ, Black GC, Biesecker LG. Oculofaciocardiodental and Lenz microphthalmia syndromes result from distinct classes of mutations in BCOR. Nat Genet. 2004 Apr;36(4):411-6. doi: 10.1038/ng1321. Epub 2004 Mar 7. Citation on PubMed
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