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NLRP7 gene
URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/nlrp7/

NLRP7 gene

NLR family pyrin domain containing 7

Normal Function

The NLRP7 gene provides instructions for making a protein whose role is not known. The NLRP7 protein is thought to be involved in regulating gene activity (expression) through a phenomenon known as genomic imprinting. Through genomic imprinting, certain genes are turned off (inactivated) based on which parent the copy of the gene came from. For most genes, both copies of the gene (one copy inherited from each parent) are active in all cells. However, for a small subset of genes, only one of the two copies is active and the other is turned off. For some of these genes, the copy from the father is normally active, while for others, the copy from the mother is normally active.

Research suggests that the NLRP7 protein also plays a role in egg cell (oocyte) and embryonic development as well as inflammation and other immune responses by regulating the release of an immune protein called interleukin-1 beta.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

Recurrent hydatidiform mole

More than 75 mutations in the NLRP7 gene have been found to cause a pregnancy-related condition called recurrent hydatidiform mole. A hydatidiform mole is a mass that forms early in pregnancy and is made up of cells from an abnormally developed embryo and placenta. The placenta, a structure in the uterus that normally provides nutrients to a growing fetus, is dysfunctional and appears as numerous small sacs, often described as resembling a bunch of grapes. When a hydatidiform mole occurs more than once, the condition is known as recurrent hydatidiform mole. NLRP7 gene mutations account for recurrent hydatidiform mole in about 55 percent of women with this condition.

The NLRP7 gene mutations that cause recurrent hydatidiform mole lead to production of a protein with reduced function or prevent production of any protein at all. As a result, oocytes do not develop normally. A pregnancy that results from an abnormal oocyte cannot develop properly, resulting in recurrent hydatidiform mole. NLRP7 gene mutations can also prevent proper imprinting of multiple genes that contribute to a developing embryo, leading to abnormal gene activity (expression). It is not clear if problems with imprinting also contribute to the development of a hydatidiform mole. In women with NLRP7 gene mutations, a hydatidiform mole will develop in every pregnancy that occurs with her egg cells. Additionally, NLRP7 gene mutations result in slowed release of interleukin-1 beta. A shortage of this protein disrupts the normal immune response that would remove the hydatidiform mole from the body. Instead, the hydatidiform mole must be removed surgically.

More About This Health Condition

Other disorders

Some rare and common variations (polymorphisms) in the NLRP7 gene are associated with an increased risk for early pregnancy loss, such as miscarriages and nonrecurrent (sporadic) hydatidiform mole. The polymorphisms are found in one copy of the NLRP7 gene in each cell. Unlike women with recurrent hydatidiform mole (described above), women with these polymorphisms are able to have normal pregnancies.

Other Names for This Gene

  • CLR19.4
  • NACHT, leucine rich repeat and PYD containing 7
  • NACHT, LRR and PYD containing protein 7
  • NACHT, LRR and PYD domains-containing protein 7
  • NALP7
  • NLR family, pyrin domain containing 7
  • NOD12
  • nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain protein 12
  • nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine rich repeat and pyrin domain containing 7
  • PAN7
  • PYPAF3
  • PYRIN-containing Apaf1-like protein 3

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

  • Hayward BE, De Vos M, Talati N, Abdollahi MR, Taylor GR, Meyer E, Williams D, Maher ER, Setna F, Nazir K, Hussaini S, Jafri H, Rashid Y, Sheridan E, Bonthron DT. Genetic and epigenetic analysis of recurrent hydatidiform mole. Hum Mutat. 2009 May;30(5):E629-39. doi: 10.1002/humu.20993. Citation on PubMed
  • Messaed C, Akoury E, Djuric U, Zeng J, Saleh M, Gilbert L, Seoud M, Qureshi S, Slim R. NLRP7, a nucleotide oligomerization domain-like receptor protein, is required for normal cytokine secretion and co-localizes with Golgi and the microtubule-organizing center. J Biol Chem. 2011 Dec 16;286(50):43313-23. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M111.306191. Epub 2011 Oct 24. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Messaed C, Chebaro W, Di Roberto RB, Rittore C, Cheung A, Arseneau J, Schneider A, Chen MF, Bernishke K, Surti U, Hoffner L, Sauthier P, Buckett W, Qian J, Lau NM, Bagga R, Engert JC, Coullin P, Touitou I, Slim R; H M Collaborative Group. NLRP7 in the spectrum of reproductive wastage: rare non-synonymous variants confer genetic susceptibility to recurrent reproductive wastage. J Med Genet. 2011 Aug;48(8):540-8. doi: 10.1136/jmg.2011.089144. Epub 2011 Jun 9. Citation on PubMed
  • Monk D, Sanchez-Delgado M, Fisher R. NLRPs, the subcortical maternal complex and genomic imprinting. Reproduction. 2017 Dec;154(6):R161-R170. doi: 10.1530/REP-17-0465. Epub 2017 Sep 15. Citation on PubMed
  • Murdoch S, Djuric U, Mazhar B, Seoud M, Khan R, Kuick R, Bagga R, Kircheisen R, Ao A, Ratti B, Hanash S, Rouleau GA, Slim R. Mutations in NALP7 cause recurrent hydatidiform moles and reproductive wastage in humans. Nat Genet. 2006 Mar;38(3):300-2. doi: 10.1038/ng1740. Epub 2006 Feb 5. Citation on PubMed
  • Slim R, Wallace EP. NLRP7 and the Genetics of Hydatidiform Moles: Recent Advances and New Challenges. Front Immunol. 2013 Aug 20;4:242. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2013.00242. eCollection 2013. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Wang CM, Dixon PH, Decordova S, Hodges MD, Sebire NJ, Ozalp S, Fallahian M, Sensi A, Ashrafi F, Repiska V, Zhao J, Xiang Y, Savage PM, Seckl MJ, Fisher RA. Identification of 13 novel NLRP7 mutations in 20 families with recurrent hydatidiform mole; missense mutations cluster in the leucine-rich region. J Med Genet. 2009 Aug;46(8):569-75. doi: 10.1136/jmg.2008.064196. Epub 2009 Feb 25. Citation on PubMed

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