Health Topics
Official websites use .gov
A
.gov website belongs to an official government
organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A
lock (
) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to
the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official,
secure websites.
Normal Function
The BBS1 gene provides instructions for making a protein found in cells throughout the body. The BBS1 protein is part of a group (complex) of proteins that plays a critical role in the formation of cell structures called cilia. Cilia are microscopic, finger-like projections that stick out from the surface of many types of cells. They are involved in cell movement and many different chemical signaling pathways. Cilia are also necessary for the perception of sensory input (such as sight, hearing, and smell).
Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes
Bardet-Biedl syndrome
More than 30 mutations in the BBS1 gene have been identified in people with Bardet-Biedl syndrome. Mutations in this gene are the most common cause of Bardet-Biedl syndrome, accounting for about one-quarter of all cases.
Most BBS1 gene mutations change single protein building blocks (amino acids) in the BBS1 protein or lead to the production of an abnormally short version of the protein. The most common mutation replaces the amino acid methionine with the amino acid arginine at protein position 390 (written as Met390Arg or M390R).
Mutations in the BBS1 gene likely affect the normal formation and function of cilia. Defects in these cell structures probably disrupt important chemical signaling pathways during development and lead to abnormalities of sensory perception. Researchers believe that defective cilia are responsible for most of the features of Bardet-Biedl syndrome, including vision loss, obesity, the presence of extra fingers and/or toes (polydactyly), kidney abnormalities, and intellectual disability.
More About This Health ConditionOther Names for This Gene
- BBS1_HUMAN
- BBS2L2
- FLJ23590
Additional Information & Resources
Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry
Scientific Articles on PubMed
Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM
References
- Beales PL, Badano JL, Ross AJ, Ansley SJ, Hoskins BE, Kirsten B, Mein CA, Froguel P, Scambler PJ, Lewis RA, Lupski JR, Katsanis N. Genetic interaction of BBS1 mutations with alleles at other BBS loci can result in non-Mendelian Bardet-Biedl syndrome. Am J Hum Genet. 2003 May;72(5):1187-99. doi: 10.1086/375178. Epub 2003 Apr 3. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
- Muller J, Stoetzel C, Vincent MC, Leitch CC, Laurier V, Danse JM, Helle S, Marion V, Bennouna-Greene V, Vicaire S, Megarbane A, Kaplan J, Drouin-Garraud V, Hamdani M, Sigaudy S, Francannet C, Roume J, Bitoun P, Goldenberg A, Philip N, Odent S, Green J, Cossee M, Davis EE, Katsanis N, Bonneau D, Verloes A, Poch O, Mandel JL, Dollfus H. Identification of 28 novel mutations in the Bardet-Biedl syndrome genes: the burden of private mutations in an extensively heterogeneous disease. Hum Genet. 2010 Mar;127(5):583-93. doi: 10.1007/s00439-010-0804-9. Epub 2010 Feb 23. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
- Mykytyn K, Nishimura DY, Searby CC, Beck G, Bugge K, Haines HL, Cornier AS, Cox GF, Fulton AB, Carmi R, Iannaccone A, Jacobson SG, Weleber RG, Wright AF, Riise R, Hennekam RC, Luleci G, Berker-Karauzum S, Biesecker LG, Stone EM, Sheffield VC. Evaluation of complex inheritance involving the most common Bardet-Biedl syndrome locus (BBS1). Am J Hum Genet. 2003 Feb;72(2):429-37. doi: 10.1086/346172. Epub 2003 Jan 10. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
- Mykytyn K, Nishimura DY, Searby CC, Shastri M, Yen HJ, Beck JS, Braun T, Streb LM, Cornier AS, Cox GF, Fulton AB, Carmi R, Luleci G, Chandrasekharappa SC, Collins FS, Jacobson SG, Heckenlively JR, Weleber RG, Stone EM, Sheffield VC. Identification of the gene (BBS1) most commonly involved in Bardet-Biedl syndrome, a complex human obesity syndrome. Nat Genet. 2002 Aug;31(4):435-8. doi: 10.1038/ng935. Epub 2002 Jul 15. Citation on PubMed
- Nachury MV, Loktev AV, Zhang Q, Westlake CJ, Peranen J, Merdes A, Slusarski DC, Scheller RH, Bazan JF, Sheffield VC, Jackson PK. A core complex of BBS proteins cooperates with the GTPase Rab8 to promote ciliary membrane biogenesis. Cell. 2007 Jun 15;129(6):1201-13. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2007.03.053. Citation on PubMed
The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.