The purpose of this project is to determine the natural history and etiology of Proteus syndrome. The natural history and the phenotypic range will be determined by clinical assessment and longitudinal follow-up of a cohort of patients. Subjects will be screened for eligibility using published diagnostic criteria for Proteus syndrome. The determination of the molecular etiology of this disorder will be difficult. It is extremely rare, affected patients have a shortened lifespan, and the disorder is sporadic. Thus the typical approach of positional cloning is not useful. The etiology of this disorder will be studied using various comparative molecular biology techniques including cDNA arrays, genomic arrays, subtractive techniques, testing of candidate genes, and other appropriate techniques. We will also test for dysregulation of growth controlling hormones and binding proteins in vivo.

Note is made that although this protocol is currently structured to recruit only subjects with Proteus syndrome, it was previously used for a more general group of sporadic birth defect syndromes. The original goals for that group have been accomplished, which was the determination of the frequency of submicroscopic chromosomal rearrangements and uniparental disomy. That group of patients (and unaffected parents) is no longer being recruited but the specimens are retained. These specimens will be tested for appropriate candidate genes if, and when, that opportunity should arise.