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URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/septin9/

SEPTIN9 gene

septin 9

Normal Function

The SEPTIN9 gene provides instructions for making a protein called septin-9, which belongs to a group of proteins called septins. Septins are involved in a process called cytokinesis, which is the step in cell division when the fluid inside the cell (cytoplasm) divides to form two separate cells. The septin-9 protein also seems to act as a tumor suppressor, which means that it regulates cell growth and keeps cells from dividing too fast or in an uncontrolled way.

The SEPTIN9 gene seems to be found in cells throughout the body. Approximately 15 slightly different versions (isoforms) of the septin-9 protein may be produced from this gene. Different types of cells make different isoforms. However, the specific distribution of these isoforms in the body's tissues is not well understood. Septin-9 isoforms interact with other septin proteins and help them perform their functions.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

Hereditary neuralgic amyotrophy

SEPTIN9 gene variants (also called mutations) have been identified in individuals with hereditary neuralgic amyotrophy, a disorder characterized by episodes of nerve pain (neuralgia) and muscle wasting (amyotrophy) in the shoulders and arms. The most common variant results in the replacement of the protein building block (amino acid) arginine with the amino acid tryptophan at position 88 in the septin-9 protein sequence, written as Arg88Trp or R88W. This variant has appeared in several unrelated families from different parts of the world. Duplication of genetic material within the SEPTIN9 gene has also been identified in affected individuals.

Variants in the SEPTIN9 gene change septin-9 isoforms in ways that interfere with their function. These variants may also change the distribution of septin-9 isoforms and their interactions with other septin proteins in some of the body's tissues. This change in the function or location of septin proteins seems to affect the network of nerves that control movement and sensation in the shoulders and arms (brachial plexus), but the reason for this is unknown.

Researchers believe that an overactive immune response may be involved in hereditary neuralgic amyotrophy. However, the relationship between SEPTIN9 gene variants and immune function is unclear. The signs and symptoms of hereditary neuralgic amyotrophy may be the result of chronic inflammation caused by an overactive immune response in the nerves in the brachial plexus.

More About This Health Condition

Cancers

Changes in the activity (expression) of the SEPTIN9 gene are associated with certain cancers. The altered gene expression may enhance several cancer-related events, such as cell division (proliferation), cell movement, and the development of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) that nourish a growing tumor. Increased production of particular isoforms of the septin-9 protein has been associated with breast and prostate cancers. Altered SEPTIN9 gene expression has also been found in people with many other cancers, including tumors of the ovary, pancreas, lung, kidney, liver, thyroid and esophagus.

Other Names for This Gene

  • SEPT9
  • SEPT9_HUMAN
  • SeptD1
  • septin D1
  • SINT1

Additional Information & Resources

Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry

Scientific Articles on PubMed

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

Gene and Variant Databases

References

  • Gonzalez ME, Makarova O, Peterson EA, Privette LM, Petty EM. Up-regulation of SEPT9_v1 stabilizes c-Jun-N-terminal kinase and contributes to its pro-proliferative activity in mammary epithelial cells. Cell Signal. 2009 Apr;21(4):477-87. doi: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2008.11.007. Epub 2008 Nov 18. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Gonzalez ME, Peterson EA, Privette LM, Loffreda-Wren JL, Kalikin LM, Petty EM. High SEPT9_v1 expression in human breast cancer cells is associated with oncogenic phenotypes. Cancer Res. 2007 Sep 15;67(18):8554-64. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-07-1474. Citation on PubMed
  • Hannibal MC, Ruzzo EK, Miller LR, Betz B, Buchan JG, Knutzen DM, Barnett K, Landsverk ML, Brice A, LeGuern E, Bedford HM, Worrall BB, Lovitt S, Appel SH, Andermann E, Bird TD, Chance PF. SEPT9 gene sequencing analysis reveals recurrent mutations in hereditary neuralgic amyotrophy. Neurology. 2009 May 19;72(20):1755-9. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e3181a609e3. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Hoque R, Schwendimann RN, Kelley RE, Bien-Willner R, Sivakumar K. Painful brachial plexopathies in SEPT9 mutations: adverse outcome related to comorbid states. J Clin Neuromuscul Dis. 2008 Jun;9(4):379-84. doi: 10.1097/CND.0b013e318166ee89. Citation on PubMed
  • Klein CJ, Wu Y, Cunningham JM, Windebank AJ, Dyck PJ, Friedenberg SM, Klein DM, Dyck PJ. SEPT9 mutations and a conserved 17q25 sequence in sporadic and hereditary brachial plexus neuropathy. Arch Neurol. 2009 Feb;66(2):238-43. doi: 10.1001/archneurol.2008.585. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Kuhlenbaumer G, Hannibal MC, Nelis E, Schirmacher A, Verpoorten N, Meuleman J, Watts GD, De Vriendt E, Young P, Stogbauer F, Halfter H, Irobi J, Goossens D, Del-Favero J, Betz BG, Hor H, Kurlemann G, Bird TD, Airaksinen E, Mononen T, Serradell AP, Prats JM, Van Broeckhoven C, De Jonghe P, Timmerman V, Ringelstein EB, Chance PF. Mutations in SEPT9 cause hereditary neuralgic amyotrophy. Nat Genet. 2005 Oct;37(10):1044-6. doi: 10.1038/ng1649. Epub 2005 Sep 25. Citation on PubMed
  • Laccone F, Hannibal MC, Neesen J, Grisold W, Chance PF, Rehder H. Dysmorphic syndrome of hereditary neuralgic amyotrophy associated with a SEPT9 gene mutation--a family study. Clin Genet. 2008 Sep;74(3):279-83. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-0004.2008.01022.x. Epub 2008 May 19. Citation on PubMed
  • Landsverk ML, Ruzzo EK, Mefford HC, Buysse K, Buchan JG, Eichler EE, Petty EM, Peterson EA, Knutzen DM, Barnett K, Farlow MR, Caress J, Parry GJ, Quan D, Gardner KL, Hong M, Simmons Z, Bird TD, Chance PF, Hannibal MC. Duplication within the SEPT9 gene associated with a founder effect in North American families with hereditary neuralgic amyotrophy. Hum Mol Genet. 2009 Apr 1;18(7):1200-8. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddp014. Epub 2009 Jan 12. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • McDade SS, Hall PA, Russell SE. Translational control of SEPT9 isoforms is perturbed in disease. Hum Mol Genet. 2007 Apr 1;16(7):742-52. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddm003. Citation on PubMed
  • Meiling JB, Boon AJ, Niu Z, Howe BM, Hoskote SS, Spinner RJ, Klein CJ. Parsonage-Turner Syndrome and Hereditary Brachial Plexus Neuropathy. Mayo Clin Proc. 2024 Jan;99(1):124-140. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2023.06.011. Citation on PubMed
  • Scott M, Hyland PL, McGregor G, Hillan KJ, Russell SE, Hall PA. Multimodality expression profiling shows SEPT9 to be overexpressed in a wide range of human tumours. Oncogene. 2005 Jul 7;24(29):4688-700. doi: 10.1038/sj.onc.1208574. Citation on PubMed
  • Scott M, McCluggage WG, Hillan KJ, Hall PA, Russell SE. Altered patterns of transcription of the septin gene, SEPT9, in ovarian tumorigenesis. Int J Cancer. 2006 Mar 1;118(5):1325-9. doi: 10.1002/ijc.21486. Citation on PubMed
  • Sudo K, Ito H, Iwamoto I, Morishita R, Asano T, Nagata K. SEPT9 sequence alternations causing hereditary neuralgic amyotrophy are associated with altered interactions with SEPT4/SEPT11 and resistance to Rho/Rhotekin-signaling. Hum Mutat. 2007 Oct;28(10):1005-13. doi: 10.1002/humu.20554. Citation on PubMed
  • van Alfen N, Hannibal MC, Chance PF, van Engelen BGM. Hereditary Neuralgic Amyotrophy - RETIRED CHAPTER, FOR HISTORICAL REFERENCE ONLY. 2008 Feb 27 [updated 2012 Dec 6]. In: Adam MP, Feldman J, Mirzaa GM, Pagon RA, Wallace SE, Amemiya A, editors. GeneReviews(R) [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2024. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1395/ Citation on PubMed

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