RIN2 Syndrome

Mendelian MONDO:0013115 Pathograph 8 Show in embeddings browser inherited cutis laxa

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Inheritance

1
Autosomal recessive HP:0000007
Biallelic loss-of-function variants in RIN2 cause RIN2 syndrome in an autosomal recessive pattern; affected individuals are reported from consanguineous kindreds.
Autosomal recessive inheritance
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:24449201 SUPPORT DIRECT Human clinical
"It is a rare condition, inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern."
States the autosomal recessive inheritance of the disorder.
⚙

Pathophysiology

5
RIN2 Loss of Function
Biallelic truncating RIN2 variants undergo nonsense-mediated decay, abolishing or markedly reducing RIN2, a ubiquitously expressed Rab5-interacting effector.
RIN2 hgnc:18750 HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (hgnc) Relation: this pathophysiological event involves this gene This pathophysiological event involves RIN2 (hgnc:18750). hgnc:18750 is a gene from the HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee.
RIN2 Rab5 guanyl-nucleotide exchange factor activity GO:0005085 ↓ DECREASED Gene Ontology (GO) Relation: this pathophysiological event involves this molecular function This pathophysiological event involves decreased RIN2 Rab5 guanyl-nucleotide exchange factor activity, annotated with guanyl-nucleotide exchange factor activity (GO:0005085). GO:0005085 is a molecular function from the Gene Ontology.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:30769224 SUPPORT DIRECT Human clinical
"biallelic mutations in this gene cause cell trafficking dysfunction"
Attributes the disease to RIN2-dependent cell trafficking dysfunction.
Dysregulated Rab5-Dependent Endosomal Trafficking
RIN2 regulates Rab5-mediated early endocytosis; its loss dysregulates early endosomal membrane trafficking in fibroblasts.
endocytosis GO:0006897 ↓ DECREASED Gene Ontology (GO) Relation: this pathophysiological event involves this biological process This pathophysiological event involves decreased endocytosis (GO:0006897). GO:0006897 is a biological process from the Gene Ontology.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:20424861 SUPPORT DIRECT Human clinical
"RIN2 encodes the Ras and Rab interactor 2, involved in the regulation of Rab5-mediated early endocytosis."
Identifies the Rab5-mediated early-endocytosis process RIN2 regulates.
Fibroblast Secretory Pathway Dysfunction
Patient dermal fibroblasts show a dilated endoplasmic reticulum and an abnormal Golgi apparatus, indicating disturbed biosynthetic/secretory trafficking of extracellular-matrix components.
dermal fibroblast CL:0002620 Cell Ontology (CL) Relation: this pathophysiological event involves this cell type This pathophysiological event involves dermal fibroblast, annotated with skin fibroblast (CL:0002620). CL:0002620 is a cell type from the Cell Ontology.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:20424861 SUPPORT DIRECT Human clinical
"fibroblasts exhibited a dilated endoplasmic reticulum and an abnormal Golgi apparatus with rarefied and dilated cisternae"
Ultrastructural evidence of secretory-pathway disturbance in patient fibroblasts.
Fibulin-5 Deficiency and Dermal Microfibril Paucity
RIN2 deficiency is associated with paucity of dermal microfibrils and deficiency of fibulin-5, elastic-fiber assembly components, in patient skin.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:19631308 SUPPORT DIRECT Human clinical
"RIN2 deficiency was found to be associated with paucity of dermal microfibrils and deficiency of fibulin-5, which may underlie the abnormal skin phenotype displayed by the patients."
Ties RIN2 deficiency to the microfibril/fibulin-5 loss underlying the skin phenotype.
Abnormal Dermal Connective Tissue Matrix
Disordered trafficking and depletion of elastic-fiber components disrupt dermal extracellular-matrix organization, with abnormal collagen fibril morphology, producing the soft, redundant, hyperextensible skin.
dermal fibroblast CL:0002620 Cell Ontology (CL) Relation: this pathophysiological event involves this cell type This pathophysiological event involves dermal fibroblast, annotated with skin fibroblast (CL:0002620). CL:0002620 is a cell type from the Cell Ontology.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:20424861 SUPPORT DIRECT Human clinical
"Ultrastructural studies of the skin revealed important abnormalities in the collagen fibril morphology"
Documents the abnormal dermal matrix ultrastructure behind the skin findings.
⬡

Pathograph

Use Group by to collapse related nodes into one box. Use the checkboxes to hide or show graph categories. Hover nodes for evidence and cross-linked metadata.
Pathograph: causal mechanism network for RIN2 Syndrome Interactive directed graph showing how pathophysiology mechanisms, phenotypes, genetic factors and variants, experimental models, environmental triggers, and treatments relate through causal and linked edges.
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Phenotypes

18
Ear 1
Hearing impairment Mild hearing impairment HP:0012712 Human Phenotype Ontology (HP) Relation: this clinical feature is this phenotype This clinical feature is Mild hearing loss, annotated with Mild hearing impairment (HP:0012712). HP:0012712 is a phenotype from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:27277385 SUPPORT DIRECT Human clinical
"including cervical vertebral fusion, mild hearing loss, and colonic fibrosis"
Mild hearing loss reported as a phenotype-expanding feature.
Endocrine 1
Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism HP:0000815 Human Phenotype Ontology (HP) Relation: this clinical feature is this phenotype This clinical feature is Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism (HP:0000815). HP:0000815 is a phenotype from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:24449201 SUPPORT DIRECT Human clinical
"additional findings not previously described in MACS syndrome, including bronchiectasis and hypergonadotropic hypogonadism"
Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism reported as a newly described feature.
Eye 1
Puffy droopy eyelids Ptosis HP:0000508 Human Phenotype Ontology (HP) Relation: this clinical feature is this phenotype This clinical feature is Puffy, droopy eyelids, annotated with Ptosis (HP:0000508). HP:0000508 is a phenotype from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:30769224 SUPPORT DIRECT Human clinical
"downward slanting palpebral fissures, Puffy droopy eyelids, full everted lips"
Puffy, droopy eyelids are part of the facial phenotype; the droop is bound to Ptosis, with the periorbital puffiness carried in the preferred term.
Head and Neck 7
Coarse facial features HP:0000280 Human Phenotype Ontology (HP) Relation: this clinical feature is this phenotype This clinical feature is Progressive facial coarsening, annotated with Coarse facial features (HP:0000280). HP:0000280 is a phenotype from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:27277385 SUPPORT DIRECT Human clinical
"Hallmark features of this condition include dysmorphic facial features with striking, progressive facial coarsening"
Progressive facial coarsening is a hallmark feature.
Gingival overgrowth HP:0000212 Human Phenotype Ontology (HP) Relation: this clinical feature is this phenotype This clinical feature is Gingival hypertrophy, annotated with Gingival overgrowth (HP:0000212). HP:0000212 is a phenotype from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:20424861 SUPPORT DIRECT Human clinical
"progressive facial coarsening, gingival hypertrophy, severe scoliosis, sparse hair and skin and joint hyperlaxity"
Gingival hypertrophy is reported among the striking features.
Sparse scalp hair HP:0002209 Human Phenotype Ontology (HP) Relation: this clinical feature is this phenotype This clinical feature is Sparse scalp hair (HP:0002209). HP:0002209 is a phenotype from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:30769224 SUPPORT DIRECT Human clinical
"sparse scalp hair, skeletal problems, joint hypermobility and scoliosis"
Sparse scalp hair is a recognized feature (the "alopecia" of MACS).
Macrocephaly HP:0000256 Human Phenotype Ontology (HP) Relation: this clinical feature is this phenotype This clinical feature is Macrocephaly (HP:0000256). HP:0000256 is a phenotype from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:30769224 SUPPORT DIRECT Human clinical
"macrocephaly, coarsening of facial features, downward slanting palpebral fissures"
Macrocephaly/enlarged occipitofrontal circumference is a feature.
Downslanted palpebral fissures HP:0000494 Human Phenotype Ontology (HP) Relation: this clinical feature is this phenotype This clinical feature is Downslanting palpebral fissures, annotated with Downslanted palpebral fissures (HP:0000494). HP:0000494 is a phenotype from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:30769224 SUPPORT DIRECT Human clinical
"macrocephaly, coarsening of facial features, downward slanting palpebral fissures"
Downward-slanting palpebral fissures are part of the facial gestalt.
Thick vermilion border HP:0012471 Human Phenotype Ontology (HP) Relation: this clinical feature is this phenotype This clinical feature is Full everted lips, annotated with Thick vermilion border (HP:0012471). HP:0012471 is a phenotype from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:30769224 SUPPORT DIRECT Human clinical
"full everted lips, soft redundant skin especially in face"
Full lips are part of the facial phenotype; the source does not lateralize the eversion, so the unlateralized thick-vermilion term is used.
Irregular dentition HP:0040079 Human Phenotype Ontology (HP) Relation: this clinical feature is this phenotype This clinical feature is Irregular dentition (HP:0040079). HP:0040079 is a phenotype from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:30769224 SUPPORT DIRECT Human clinical
"gum hypertrophy, irregular dentition, sparse scalp hair"
Irregular dentition is a recognized feature.
Integument 2
Cutis laxa HP:0000973 Human Phenotype Ontology (HP) Relation: this clinical feature is this phenotype This clinical feature is Cutis laxa (HP:0000973). HP:0000973 is a phenotype from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:19631308 SUPPORT DIRECT Human clinical
"we report on an autosomal-recessive disorder that we have termed MACS syndrome (macrocephaly, alopecia, cutis laxa, and scoliosis)"
Cutis laxa is a defining feature of the disorder.
Hyperextensible skin HP:0000974 Human Phenotype Ontology (HP) Relation: this clinical feature is this phenotype This clinical feature is Hyperextensible skin (HP:0000974). HP:0000974 is a phenotype from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:27277385 SUPPORT DIRECT Human clinical
"soft redundant and/or hyperextensible skin, and scoliosis"
Reports hyperextensible/redundant skin as a hallmark feature.
Musculoskeletal 3
Scoliosis HP:0002650 Human Phenotype Ontology (HP) Relation: this clinical feature is this phenotype This clinical feature is Scoliosis (HP:0002650). HP:0002650 is a phenotype from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:20424861 SUPPORT DIRECT Human clinical
"progressive facial coarsening, gingival hypertrophy, severe scoliosis, sparse hair and skin and joint hyperlaxity"
Lists severe scoliosis among the striking clinical features.
Joint hypermobility HP:0001382 Human Phenotype Ontology (HP) Relation: this clinical feature is this phenotype This clinical feature is Joint hypermobility (HP:0001382). HP:0001382 is a phenotype from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:30769224 SUPPORT DIRECT Human clinical
"sparse scalp hair, skeletal problems, joint hypermobility and scoliosis"
Joint hypermobility/hyperlaxity is a feature.
Cervical vertebral fusion HP:0002948 Human Phenotype Ontology (HP) Relation: this clinical feature is this phenotype This clinical feature is Cervical vertebral fusion, annotated with Vertebral fusion (HP:0002948). HP:0002948 is a phenotype from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:27277385 SUPPORT DIRECT Human clinical
"including cervical vertebral fusion, mild hearing loss, and colonic fibrosis"
Cervical vertebral fusion, a phenotype-expanding feature; the source does not state the level, so the general vertebral-fusion term is used.
Nervous System 1
Leukoencephalopathy Abnormal cerebral white matter morphology HP:0002500 Human Phenotype Ontology (HP) Relation: this clinical feature is this phenotype This clinical feature is Cerebral white matter abnormality, annotated with Abnormal cerebral white matter morphology (HP:0002500). HP:0002500 is a phenotype from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:30769224 SUPPORT DIRECT Human clinical
"white matter abnormalities in his brain MRI were noticed"
Brain white-matter abnormality on MRI, expanding the spectrum; bound to the general cerebral-white-matter term matching the quoted finding.
Respiratory 1
Bronchiectasis HP:0002110 Human Phenotype Ontology (HP) Relation: this clinical feature is this phenotype This clinical feature is Bronchiectasis (HP:0002110). HP:0002110 is a phenotype from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:24449201 SUPPORT DIRECT Human clinical
"additional findings not previously described in MACS syndrome, including bronchiectasis and hypergonadotropic hypogonadism"
Bronchiectasis reported as a newly described feature.
Other 1
Colonic fibrosis
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:27277385 SUPPORT DIRECT Human clinical
"including cervical vertebral fusion, mild hearing loss, and colonic fibrosis"
Colonic fibrosis reported as a newly described feature.
🧬

Genetic Associations

1
RIN2
Gene: RIN2 hgnc:18750 HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (hgnc) Relation: this disease-associated gene is this gene This disease-associated gene is RIN2 (hgnc:18750). hgnc:18750 is a gene from the HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee. relationship_type: CAUSATIVE variant_origin: GERMLINE
Show evidence (2 references)
PMID:19631308 SUPPORT DIRECT Human clinical
"a homozygous frameshift mutation in RIN2 was found to segregate with the disease phenotype in a large consanguineous kindred"
Establishes RIN2 as the causative gene, segregating with disease.
PMID:20424861 SUPPORT DIRECT Human clinical
"The c.1914_1915delGC mutation introduces a frameshift and creates a premature termination codon, leading to nonsense-mediated mRNA decay."
Documents a truncating RIN2 variant acting through nonsense-mediated decay (loss of function).
💊

Medical Actions

1
Supportive and multidisciplinary care
Action: Supportive careNCI Thesaurus (NCIT) Relation: this treatment is this clinical intervention This treatment is Supportive care (NCIT:C15747). NCIT:C15747 is a clinical intervention from the NCI Thesaurus. Ontology label: Supportive Care NCIT:C15747
No disease-modifying, pharmacological, gene, or cell therapy exists for RIN2 syndrome and no clinical trial has been conducted. Management is symptomatic and multidisciplinary: orthopaedic bracing or surgery for progressive scoliosis, physiotherapy for joint hypermobility, dental/periodontal care for gingival overgrowth, hearing support, airway clearance for bronchiectasis, and hormone replacement for hypergonadotropic hypogonadism.
🔬

Diagnosis

3
Molecular genetic testing
Diagnosis is confirmed by identifying biallelic (homozygous or compound heterozygous) loss-of-function RIN2 variants, typically by whole-exome or targeted gene sequencing.
Show evidence (2 references)
PMID:30769224 SUPPORT DIRECT Human clinical
"Whole exome sequencing revealed a novel frameshift homozygous variant"
Exome sequencing established the molecular diagnosis in a patient.
PMID:31521835 SUPPORT DIRECT Human clinical
"Whole-exome sequencing analyses of the individual with multiple phenotypes revealed homozygosity for novel pathogenic variants"
WES resolved biallelic RIN2 (and BBS7) variants in a consanguineous family.
Skin biopsy electron microscopy
Ultrastructural examination of a skin biopsy is a supporting test, showing abnormal collagen fibril morphology and dilated endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi in dermal fibroblasts.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:20424861 SUPPORT INDIRECT Human clinical
"Ultrastructural studies of the skin revealed important abnormalities in the collagen fibril morphology"
Skin ultrastructure is the supporting diagnostic finding.
Differential diagnosis
RIN2 syndrome is distinguished from the metabolic cutis laxa syndromes (ATP6V0A2-CDG and other CDG, PYCR1, ALDH18A1/P5CS, Menkes/ATP7A, TALDO1, GORAB) by normal glycosylation and metabolic screening, and overlaps clinically with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (dermatosparaxis and kyphoscoliotic types).
Show evidence (2 references)
PMID:28409271 SUPPORT DIRECT REVIEW SYNTHESIS Other
"macrocephaly, alopecia, cutis laxa, and scoliosis (MACS) syndrome, due to Ras and Rab interactor 2 (RIN2) mutations"
Places MACS/RIN2 syndrome within the cutis-laxa differential.
PMID:21431621 SUPPORT INDIRECT REVIEW SYNTHESIS Other
"In metabolic cutis laxa syndromes the clinical and laboratory features might partially overlap, however there are some distinct, discriminative features"
Supports using discriminative metabolic/laboratory features to separate metabolic cutis laxa from RIN2 syndrome.
📊

Prevalence

1
Worldwide (reported cases)
Cases/families reported in the literature Ultra-rare
Fewer than ~15 patients from a handful of consanguineous families reported.
Show evidence (1 reference)
PMID:27277385 SUPPORT DIRECT Human clinical
"only nine patients from four independent families reported to date"
Establishes the ultra-rare case count across the reported literature.
{ }

Source YAML

click to show
name: RIN2 Syndrome
creation_date: "2026-10-31T00:00:00Z"
category: Mendelian
synonyms:
- MACS syndrome
- macrocephaly, alopecia, cutis laxa, and scoliosis syndrome
- RIN2 deficiency
notes: >-
  Ultra-rare autosomal recessive connective-tissue disorder caused by biallelic
  loss-of-function variants in RIN2. First described as MACS syndrome
  (macrocephaly, alopecia, cutis laxa, and scoliosis) by Basel-Vanagaite et al.
  (2009); as additional families were reported the phenotype broadened beyond the
  original acronym and the condition was renamed RIN2 syndrome. No GeneReviews
  chapter exists for the disease or for the RIN2 gene as of the committed
  Bookshelf index (checked with just check-genereviews --online). The course is
  chronic and progressive (facial coarsening and scoliosis worsen with age) but
  non-lethal, with survival into adulthood and generally preserved cognition; no
  disease-modifying therapy exists and management is supportive and
  multidisciplinary. Fewer than ~15 patients from a handful of consanguineous
  families have been reported.
disease_term:
  preferred_term: RIN2 syndrome
  term:
    id: MONDO:0013115
    label: RIN2 syndrome
parents:
- inherited cutis laxa
inheritance:
- name: Autosomal recessive
  inheritance_term:
    preferred_term: Autosomal recessive inheritance
    term:
      id: HP:0000007
      label: Autosomal recessive inheritance
  description: >-
    Biallelic loss-of-function variants in RIN2 cause RIN2 syndrome in an
    autosomal recessive pattern; affected individuals are reported from
    consanguineous kindreds.
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:24449201
    reference_title: Newly described clinical features in two siblings with MACS syndrome and a novel mutation in RIN2.
    supports: SUPPORT
    directness: DIRECT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "It is a rare condition, inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern."
    explanation: States the autosomal recessive inheritance of the disorder.

genetic:
- name: RIN2
  gene_term:
    preferred_term: RIN2
    term:
      id: hgnc:18750
      label: RIN2
  relationship_type: CAUSATIVE
  variant_origin: GERMLINE
  gene_disease_validity:
  - validity_classification: DEFINITIVE
    classified_by: CLINGEN
    external_id: CGGV:assertion_7427a25e-68a1-4e1b-b951-f1a1d7b1e52b-2023-12-04T170000.000Z
    evidence:
    - reference: CGGV:assertion_7427a25e-68a1-4e1b-b951-f1a1d7b1e52b-2023-12-04T170000.000Z
      reference_title: RIN2 / RIN2 syndrome (Definitive)
      supports: SUPPORT
      evidence_source: OTHER
      snippet: "RIN2 | HGNC:18750 | RIN2 syndrome | MONDO:0013115 | AR | Definitive | SOP9 | Lysosomal Diseases Gene Curation Expert Panel"
      explanation: ClinGen classifies the RIN2-RIN2 syndrome relationship as Definitive (autosomal recessive).
  notes: >-
    Biallelic loss-of-function variants in RIN2 (Ras and Rab interactor 2) cause
    RIN2 syndrome; reported variants are frameshift/truncating and act through
    nonsense-mediated decay. RIN2 is a Rab5-interacting protein that regulates
    early endocytic membrane trafficking; it carries a VPS9 domain that confers
    Rab5 guanyl-nucleotide exchange factor activity, so it acts as both a Rab5
    GEF and effector. The cited abstracts describe the trafficking role ("interacts
    with Rab5"/"regulation of Rab5-mediated early endocytosis"); the GEF activity
    bound at the pathophysiology node is supported by the VPS9 domain rather than
    by those quoted sentences. ClinGen classifies the RIN2-RIN2 syndrome
    relationship as Definitive (autosomal recessive, Lysosomal Diseases GCEP).
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:19631308
    reference_title: "RIN2 deficiency results in macrocephaly, alopecia, cutis laxa, and scoliosis: MACS syndrome."
    supports: SUPPORT
    directness: DIRECT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "a homozygous frameshift mutation in RIN2 was found to segregate with the disease phenotype in a large consanguineous kindred"
    explanation: Establishes RIN2 as the causative gene, segregating with disease.
  - reference: PMID:20424861
    reference_title: "The RIN2 syndrome: a new autosomal recessive connective tissue disorder caused by deficiency of Ras and Rab interactor 2 (RIN2)."
    supports: SUPPORT
    directness: DIRECT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "The c.1914_1915delGC mutation introduces a frameshift and creates a premature termination codon, leading to nonsense-mediated mRNA decay."
    explanation: Documents a truncating RIN2 variant acting through nonsense-mediated decay (loss of function).

pathophysiology:
- name: RIN2 Loss of Function
  description: >-
    Biallelic truncating RIN2 variants undergo nonsense-mediated decay, abolishing
    or markedly reducing RIN2, a ubiquitously expressed Rab5-interacting effector.
  biological_scale: MOLECULAR
  genes:
  - preferred_term: RIN2
    term:
      id: hgnc:18750
      label: RIN2
  molecular_functions:
  - preferred_term: RIN2 Rab5 guanyl-nucleotide exchange factor activity
    modifier: DECREASED
    term:
      id: GO:0005085
      label: guanyl-nucleotide exchange factor activity
  downstream:
  - target: Dysregulated Rab5-Dependent Endosomal Trafficking
    causal_link_type: DIRECT
    evidence:
    - reference: PMID:19631308
      reference_title: "RIN2 deficiency results in macrocephaly, alopecia, cutis laxa, and scoliosis: MACS syndrome."
      supports: SUPPORT
      directness: DIRECT
      evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
      snippet: "The mutation identified results in decreased expression of RIN2, a ubiquitously expressed protein that interacts with Rab5 and is involved in the regulation of endocytic trafficking."
      explanation: Links reduced RIN2 directly to impaired Rab5-dependent endocytic trafficking.
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:30769224
    reference_title: "Leukoencephalopathy in RIN2 syndrome: Novel mutation and expansion of clinical spectrum."
    supports: SUPPORT
    directness: DIRECT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "biallelic mutations in this gene cause cell trafficking dysfunction"
    explanation: Attributes the disease to RIN2-dependent cell trafficking dysfunction.
- name: Dysregulated Rab5-Dependent Endosomal Trafficking
  description: >-
    RIN2 regulates Rab5-mediated early endocytosis; its loss dysregulates early
    endosomal membrane trafficking in fibroblasts.
  biological_scale: CELLULAR
  biological_processes:
  - preferred_term: endocytosis
    modifier: DECREASED
    term:
      id: GO:0006897
      label: endocytosis
  downstream:
  - target: Fibroblast Secretory Pathway Dysfunction
  - target: Fibulin-5 Deficiency and Dermal Microfibril Paucity
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:20424861
    reference_title: "The RIN2 syndrome: a new autosomal recessive connective tissue disorder caused by deficiency of Ras and Rab interactor 2 (RIN2)."
    supports: SUPPORT
    directness: DIRECT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "RIN2 encodes the Ras and Rab interactor 2, involved in the regulation of Rab5-mediated early endocytosis."
    explanation: Identifies the Rab5-mediated early-endocytosis process RIN2 regulates.
- name: Fibroblast Secretory Pathway Dysfunction
  description: >-
    Patient dermal fibroblasts show a dilated endoplasmic reticulum and an
    abnormal Golgi apparatus, indicating disturbed biosynthetic/secretory
    trafficking of extracellular-matrix components.
  biological_scale: CELLULAR
  cell_types:
  - preferred_term: dermal fibroblast
    term:
      id: CL:0002620
      label: skin fibroblast
  downstream:
  - target: Abnormal Dermal Connective Tissue Matrix
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:20424861
    reference_title: "The RIN2 syndrome: a new autosomal recessive connective tissue disorder caused by deficiency of Ras and Rab interactor 2 (RIN2)."
    supports: SUPPORT
    directness: DIRECT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "fibroblasts exhibited a dilated endoplasmic reticulum and an abnormal Golgi apparatus with rarefied and dilated cisternae"
    explanation: Ultrastructural evidence of secretory-pathway disturbance in patient fibroblasts.
- name: Fibulin-5 Deficiency and Dermal Microfibril Paucity
  description: >-
    RIN2 deficiency is associated with paucity of dermal microfibrils and
    deficiency of fibulin-5, elastic-fiber assembly components, in patient skin.
  biological_scale: TISSUE
  downstream:
  - target: Abnormal Dermal Connective Tissue Matrix
    causal_link_type: INDIRECT_KNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
    evidence:
    - reference: PMID:17035250
      reference_title: "Fibulin-5 mutations: mechanisms of impaired elastic fiber formation in recessive cutis laxa."
      supports: SUPPORT
      directness: INDIRECT
      evidence_source: IN_VITRO
      snippet: "fibulin-5 is necessary for elastic fiber formation by facilitating the deposition of elastin onto a microfibrillar scaffold via direct molecular interactions"
      explanation: >-
        Establishes (in recessive cutis laxa caused by fibulin-5 mutation) that
        fibulin-5 is required for elastic-fiber assembly, from which the RIN2-driven
        fibulin-5/microfibril loss producing abnormal dermal matrix follows.
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:19631308
    reference_title: "RIN2 deficiency results in macrocephaly, alopecia, cutis laxa, and scoliosis: MACS syndrome."
    supports: SUPPORT
    directness: DIRECT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "RIN2 deficiency was found to be associated with paucity of dermal microfibrils and deficiency of fibulin-5, which may underlie the abnormal skin phenotype displayed by the patients."
    explanation: Ties RIN2 deficiency to the microfibril/fibulin-5 loss underlying the skin phenotype.
- name: Abnormal Dermal Connective Tissue Matrix
  description: >-
    Disordered trafficking and depletion of elastic-fiber components disrupt
    dermal extracellular-matrix organization, with abnormal collagen fibril
    morphology, producing the soft, redundant, hyperextensible skin.
  biological_scale: TISSUE
  cell_types:
  - preferred_term: dermal fibroblast
    term:
      id: CL:0002620
      label: skin fibroblast
  downstream:
  - target: Cutis laxa
  - target: Hyperextensible skin
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:20424861
    reference_title: "The RIN2 syndrome: a new autosomal recessive connective tissue disorder caused by deficiency of Ras and Rab interactor 2 (RIN2)."
    supports: SUPPORT
    directness: DIRECT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "Ultrastructural studies of the skin revealed important abnormalities in the collagen fibril morphology"
    explanation: Documents the abnormal dermal matrix ultrastructure behind the skin findings.

phenotypes:
- name: Cutis laxa
  phenotype_term:
    preferred_term: Cutis laxa
    term:
      id: HP:0000973
      label: Cutis laxa
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:19631308
    reference_title: "RIN2 deficiency results in macrocephaly, alopecia, cutis laxa, and scoliosis: MACS syndrome."
    supports: SUPPORT
    directness: DIRECT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "we report on an autosomal-recessive disorder that we have termed MACS syndrome (macrocephaly, alopecia, cutis laxa, and scoliosis)"
    explanation: Cutis laxa is a defining feature of the disorder.
- name: Hyperextensible skin
  phenotype_term:
    preferred_term: Hyperextensible skin
    term:
      id: HP:0000974
      label: Hyperextensible skin
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:27277385
    reference_title: "RIN2 syndrome: Expanding the clinical phenotype."
    supports: SUPPORT
    directness: DIRECT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "soft redundant and/or hyperextensible skin, and scoliosis"
    explanation: Reports hyperextensible/redundant skin as a hallmark feature.
- name: Scoliosis
  phenotype_term:
    preferred_term: Scoliosis
    term:
      id: HP:0002650
      label: Scoliosis
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:20424861
    reference_title: "The RIN2 syndrome: a new autosomal recessive connective tissue disorder caused by deficiency of Ras and Rab interactor 2 (RIN2)."
    supports: SUPPORT
    directness: DIRECT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "progressive facial coarsening, gingival hypertrophy, severe scoliosis, sparse hair and skin and joint hyperlaxity"
    explanation: Lists severe scoliosis among the striking clinical features.
- name: Coarse facial features
  phenotype_term:
    preferred_term: Progressive facial coarsening
    term:
      id: HP:0000280
      label: Coarse facial features
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:27277385
    reference_title: "RIN2 syndrome: Expanding the clinical phenotype."
    supports: SUPPORT
    directness: DIRECT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "Hallmark features of this condition include dysmorphic facial features with striking, progressive facial coarsening"
    explanation: Progressive facial coarsening is a hallmark feature.
- name: Gingival overgrowth
  phenotype_term:
    preferred_term: Gingival hypertrophy
    term:
      id: HP:0000212
      label: Gingival overgrowth
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:20424861
    reference_title: "The RIN2 syndrome: a new autosomal recessive connective tissue disorder caused by deficiency of Ras and Rab interactor 2 (RIN2)."
    supports: SUPPORT
    directness: DIRECT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "progressive facial coarsening, gingival hypertrophy, severe scoliosis, sparse hair and skin and joint hyperlaxity"
    explanation: Gingival hypertrophy is reported among the striking features.
- name: Sparse scalp hair
  phenotype_term:
    preferred_term: Sparse scalp hair
    term:
      id: HP:0002209
      label: Sparse scalp hair
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:30769224
    reference_title: "Leukoencephalopathy in RIN2 syndrome: Novel mutation and expansion of clinical spectrum."
    supports: SUPPORT
    directness: DIRECT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "sparse scalp hair, skeletal problems, joint hypermobility and scoliosis"
    explanation: Sparse scalp hair is a recognized feature (the "alopecia" of MACS).
- name: Macrocephaly
  phenotype_term:
    preferred_term: Macrocephaly
    term:
      id: HP:0000256
      label: Macrocephaly
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:30769224
    reference_title: "Leukoencephalopathy in RIN2 syndrome: Novel mutation and expansion of clinical spectrum."
    supports: SUPPORT
    directness: DIRECT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "macrocephaly, coarsening of facial features, downward slanting palpebral fissures"
    explanation: Macrocephaly/enlarged occipitofrontal circumference is a feature.
- name: Joint hypermobility
  phenotype_term:
    preferred_term: Joint hypermobility
    term:
      id: HP:0001382
      label: Joint hypermobility
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:30769224
    reference_title: "Leukoencephalopathy in RIN2 syndrome: Novel mutation and expansion of clinical spectrum."
    supports: SUPPORT
    directness: DIRECT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "sparse scalp hair, skeletal problems, joint hypermobility and scoliosis"
    explanation: Joint hypermobility/hyperlaxity is a feature.
- name: Downslanted palpebral fissures
  phenotype_term:
    preferred_term: Downslanting palpebral fissures
    term:
      id: HP:0000494
      label: Downslanted palpebral fissures
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:30769224
    reference_title: "Leukoencephalopathy in RIN2 syndrome: Novel mutation and expansion of clinical spectrum."
    supports: SUPPORT
    directness: DIRECT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "macrocephaly, coarsening of facial features, downward slanting palpebral fissures"
    explanation: Downward-slanting palpebral fissures are part of the facial gestalt.
- name: Thick vermilion border
  phenotype_term:
    preferred_term: Full everted lips
    term:
      id: HP:0012471
      label: Thick vermilion border
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:30769224
    reference_title: "Leukoencephalopathy in RIN2 syndrome: Novel mutation and expansion of clinical spectrum."
    supports: SUPPORT
    directness: DIRECT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "full everted lips, soft redundant skin especially in face"
    explanation: >-
      Full lips are part of the facial phenotype; the source does not lateralize
      the eversion, so the unlateralized thick-vermilion term is used.
- name: Puffy droopy eyelids
  phenotype_term:
    preferred_term: Puffy, droopy eyelids
    term:
      id: HP:0000508
      label: Ptosis
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:30769224
    reference_title: "Leukoencephalopathy in RIN2 syndrome: Novel mutation and expansion of clinical spectrum."
    supports: SUPPORT
    directness: DIRECT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "downward slanting palpebral fissures, Puffy droopy eyelids, full everted lips"
    explanation: >-
      Puffy, droopy eyelids are part of the facial phenotype; the droop is bound
      to Ptosis, with the periorbital puffiness carried in the preferred term.
- name: Irregular dentition
  phenotype_term:
    preferred_term: Irregular dentition
    term:
      id: HP:0040079
      label: Irregular dentition
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:30769224
    reference_title: "Leukoencephalopathy in RIN2 syndrome: Novel mutation and expansion of clinical spectrum."
    supports: SUPPORT
    directness: DIRECT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "gum hypertrophy, irregular dentition, sparse scalp hair"
    explanation: Irregular dentition is a recognized feature.
- name: Cervical vertebral fusion
  phenotype_term:
    preferred_term: Cervical vertebral fusion
    term:
      id: HP:0002948
      label: Vertebral fusion
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:27277385
    reference_title: "RIN2 syndrome: Expanding the clinical phenotype."
    supports: SUPPORT
    directness: DIRECT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "including cervical vertebral fusion, mild hearing loss, and colonic fibrosis"
    explanation: >-
      Cervical vertebral fusion, a phenotype-expanding feature; the source does
      not state the level, so the general vertebral-fusion term is used.
- name: Colonic fibrosis
  description: >-
    Reported in a single patient as a phenotype-expanding feature; HPO has no
    specific term for colonic fibrosis, so the phenotype is recorded unbound.
  phenotype_term:
    preferred_term: Colonic fibrosis
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:27277385
    reference_title: "RIN2 syndrome: Expanding the clinical phenotype."
    supports: SUPPORT
    directness: DIRECT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "including cervical vertebral fusion, mild hearing loss, and colonic fibrosis"
    explanation: Colonic fibrosis reported as a newly described feature.
- name: Hearing impairment
  phenotype_term:
    preferred_term: Mild hearing loss
    term:
      id: HP:0012712
      label: Mild hearing impairment
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:27277385
    reference_title: "RIN2 syndrome: Expanding the clinical phenotype."
    supports: SUPPORT
    directness: DIRECT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "including cervical vertebral fusion, mild hearing loss, and colonic fibrosis"
    explanation: Mild hearing loss reported as a phenotype-expanding feature.
- name: Leukoencephalopathy
  phenotype_term:
    preferred_term: Cerebral white matter abnormality
    term:
      id: HP:0002500
      label: Abnormal cerebral white matter morphology
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:30769224
    reference_title: "Leukoencephalopathy in RIN2 syndrome: Novel mutation and expansion of clinical spectrum."
    supports: SUPPORT
    directness: DIRECT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "white matter abnormalities in his brain MRI were noticed"
    explanation: >-
      Brain white-matter abnormality on MRI, expanding the spectrum; bound to the
      general cerebral-white-matter term matching the quoted finding.
- name: Bronchiectasis
  phenotype_term:
    preferred_term: Bronchiectasis
    term:
      id: HP:0002110
      label: Bronchiectasis
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:24449201
    reference_title: Newly described clinical features in two siblings with MACS syndrome and a novel mutation in RIN2.
    supports: SUPPORT
    directness: DIRECT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "additional findings not previously described in MACS syndrome, including bronchiectasis and hypergonadotropic hypogonadism"
    explanation: Bronchiectasis reported as a newly described feature.
- name: Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism
  phenotype_term:
    preferred_term: Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism
    term:
      id: HP:0000815
      label: Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:24449201
    reference_title: Newly described clinical features in two siblings with MACS syndrome and a novel mutation in RIN2.
    supports: SUPPORT
    directness: DIRECT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "additional findings not previously described in MACS syndrome, including bronchiectasis and hypergonadotropic hypogonadism"
    explanation: Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism reported as a newly described feature.

prevalence:
- population: Worldwide (reported cases)
  measure_type: CASES_IN_LITERATURE
  prevalence_class: ULTRA_RARE
  notes: Fewer than ~15 patients from a handful of consanguineous families reported.
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:27277385
    reference_title: "RIN2 syndrome: Expanding the clinical phenotype."
    supports: SUPPORT
    directness: DIRECT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "only nine patients from four independent families reported to date"
    explanation: Establishes the ultra-rare case count across the reported literature.

diagnosis:
- name: Molecular genetic testing
  description: >-
    Diagnosis is confirmed by identifying biallelic (homozygous or compound
    heterozygous) loss-of-function RIN2 variants, typically by whole-exome or
    targeted gene sequencing.
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:30769224
    reference_title: "Leukoencephalopathy in RIN2 syndrome: Novel mutation and expansion of clinical spectrum."
    supports: SUPPORT
    directness: DIRECT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "Whole exome sequencing revealed a novel frameshift homozygous variant"
    explanation: Exome sequencing established the molecular diagnosis in a patient.
  - reference: PMID:31521835
    reference_title: RIN2 and BBS7 variants as cause of a coincidental syndrome.
    supports: SUPPORT
    directness: DIRECT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "Whole-exome sequencing analyses of the individual with multiple phenotypes revealed homozygosity for novel pathogenic variants"
    explanation: WES resolved biallelic RIN2 (and BBS7) variants in a consanguineous family.
- name: Skin biopsy electron microscopy
  description: >-
    Ultrastructural examination of a skin biopsy is a supporting test, showing
    abnormal collagen fibril morphology and dilated endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi
    in dermal fibroblasts.
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:20424861
    reference_title: "The RIN2 syndrome: a new autosomal recessive connective tissue disorder caused by deficiency of Ras and Rab interactor 2 (RIN2)."
    supports: SUPPORT
    directness: INDIRECT
    evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
    snippet: "Ultrastructural studies of the skin revealed important abnormalities in the collagen fibril morphology"
    explanation: Skin ultrastructure is the supporting diagnostic finding.
- name: Differential diagnosis
  description: >-
    RIN2 syndrome is distinguished from the metabolic cutis laxa syndromes
    (ATP6V0A2-CDG and other CDG, PYCR1, ALDH18A1/P5CS, Menkes/ATP7A, TALDO1,
    GORAB) by normal glycosylation and metabolic screening, and overlaps
    clinically with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (dermatosparaxis and kyphoscoliotic
    types).
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:28409271
    reference_title: Unique presentation of cutis laxa with Leigh-like syndrome due to ECHS1 deficiency.
    supports: SUPPORT
    directness: DIRECT
    evidence_source: OTHER
    quote_role: REVIEW_SYNTHESIS
    snippet: "macrocephaly, alopecia, cutis laxa, and scoliosis (MACS) syndrome, due to Ras and Rab interactor 2 (RIN2) mutations"
    explanation: Places MACS/RIN2 syndrome within the cutis-laxa differential.
  - reference: PMID:21431621
    reference_title: Metabolic cutis laxa syndromes.
    supports: SUPPORT
    directness: INDIRECT
    evidence_source: OTHER
    quote_role: REVIEW_SYNTHESIS
    snippet: "In metabolic cutis laxa syndromes the clinical and laboratory features might partially overlap, however there are some distinct, discriminative features"
    explanation: Supports using discriminative metabolic/laboratory features to separate metabolic cutis laxa from RIN2 syndrome.

treatments:
- name: Supportive and multidisciplinary care
  description: >-
    No disease-modifying, pharmacological, gene, or cell therapy exists for RIN2
    syndrome and no clinical trial has been conducted. Management is symptomatic
    and multidisciplinary: orthopaedic bracing or surgery for progressive
    scoliosis, physiotherapy for joint hypermobility, dental/periodontal care for
    gingival overgrowth, hearing support, airway clearance for bronchiectasis, and
    hormone replacement for hypergonadotropic hypogonadism.
  treatment_term:
    preferred_term: Supportive care
    term:
      id: NCIT:C15747
      label: Supportive Care

references:
- reference: PMID:17035250
  title: "Fibulin-5 mutations: mechanisms of impaired elastic fiber formation in recessive cutis laxa."
- reference: PMID:19631308
  title: "RIN2 deficiency results in macrocephaly, alopecia, cutis laxa, and scoliosis: MACS syndrome."
- reference: PMID:20424861
  title: "The RIN2 syndrome: a new autosomal recessive connective tissue disorder caused by deficiency of Ras and Rab interactor 2 (RIN2)."
- reference: PMID:27277385
  title: "RIN2 syndrome: Expanding the clinical phenotype."
- reference: PMID:30769224
  title: "Leukoencephalopathy in RIN2 syndrome: Novel mutation and expansion of clinical spectrum."
- reference: PMID:24449201
  title: "Newly described clinical features in two siblings with MACS syndrome and a novel mutation in RIN2."
- reference: PMID:31521835
  title: "RIN2 and BBS7 variants as cause of a coincidental syndrome."
- reference: PMID:28409271
  title: "Unique presentation of cutis laxa with Leigh-like syndrome due to ECHS1 deficiency."
- reference: PMID:21431621
  title: "Metabolic cutis laxa syndromes."
📚

References & Deep Research

References

9
Fibulin-5 mutations: mechanisms of impaired elastic fiber formation in recessive cutis laxa.
No top-level findings curated for this source.
RIN2 deficiency results in macrocephaly, alopecia, cutis laxa, and scoliosis: MACS syndrome.
No top-level findings curated for this source.
The RIN2 syndrome: a new autosomal recessive connective tissue disorder caused by deficiency of Ras and Rab interactor 2 (RIN2).
No top-level findings curated for this source.
RIN2 syndrome: Expanding the clinical phenotype.
No top-level findings curated for this source.
Leukoencephalopathy in RIN2 syndrome: Novel mutation and expansion of clinical spectrum.
No top-level findings curated for this source.
Newly described clinical features in two siblings with MACS syndrome and a novel mutation in RIN2.
No top-level findings curated for this source.
RIN2 and BBS7 variants as cause of a coincidental syndrome.
No top-level findings curated for this source.
Unique presentation of cutis laxa with Leigh-like syndrome due to ECHS1 deficiency.
No top-level findings curated for this source.
Metabolic cutis laxa syndromes.
No top-level findings curated for this source.

Deep Research

1

Deep research results are used as seeds for research; they do not undergo the same validation as the main records and may contain errors. How we use deep research.

Evaluations and curation notes (2)

Review round 1: RIN2 Syndrome · 2026-10-31T15:22:09Z · View source

Addressed ai4c-reviewer CHANGES_REQUESTED on PR #16187. Added reference_title to every evidence item (copied from references_cache title frontmatter). Added four phenotypes from already-cited abstracts: cervical vertebral fusion (HP:0002948, level unspecified by source), colonic fibrosis (unbound; HPO has no specific term), puffy droopy eyelids (HP:0000508 Ptosis) and irregular dentition (HP:0040079 — the deep-research-suggested HP:0000705 is Amelogenesis imperfecta and was rejected on lookup). Added a diagnosis section (molecular WES confirmation citing PMID:30769224 and PMID:31521835; skin-biopsy electron microscopy citing PMID:20424861; a differential-diagnosis entry citing PMID:28409271 and PMID:21431621, which resolves the three previously-uncited cached references). Added a CASES_IN_LITERATURE/ULTRA_RARE prevalence record (PMID:27277385). Rebound hearing impairment to HP:0012712 Mild hearing impairment and leukoencephalopathy to HP:0002500 to match the quoted findings. Left GO:0005085 for RIN2 GEF activity (suggested GO:0017112 returns no label in the build). Validated: just validate-disorders clean (35/35 snippets, 44 titles), validate-terms, entity-refs, causal-targets, duplicate-keys, enum-values, coarse-phenotypes, qualifier-terms, gene-activity-grounding all pass.

Create: RIN2 Syndrome · 2026-10-31T14:45:43Z · View source

De-novo curation of RIN2 syndrome (MACS syndrome, MONDO:0013115, gene RIN2, hgnc:18750). Autosomal recessive connective-tissue disorder. Built a 5-node pathograph (RIN2 loss of function via NMD -> dysregulated Rab5-dependent endosomal trafficking -> fibroblast secretory-pathway dysfunction + fibulin-5/dermal-microfibril deficiency -> abnormal dermal connective-tissue matrix -> cutis laxa/hyperextensible skin) and 13 phenotypes, each with an exact-quote evidence snippet from one of five RIN2-specific PMIDs (19631308 Basel-Vanagaite 2009 foundational MACS description; 20424861 Syx 2010 ultrastructure/NMD; 27277385 Rosato 2016 phenotype expansion; 30769224 Kameli 2020 leukoencephalopathy; 24449201 Aslanger 2014 bronchiectasis/hypergonadotropic hypogonadism). ClinGen Definitive (AR, Lysosomal Diseases GCEP) gene-disease validity recorded and sourced to CGGV:assertion_7427a25e. No GeneReviews chapter exists (confirmed offline+online). Deep research: requested falcon per default, but the Edison/falcon backend (agentapi) was unavailable in this environment, so the run fell back to openscientist (recorded in report provenance via --fallback). Validated: just validate (24/24 snippets), validate-terms, check-entity-refs, check-causal-targets, check-gene-validity, check-gene-activity-grounding, check-duplicate-keys, check-enum-values, check-coarse-phenotypes, check-qualifier-terms all pass.

OpenScientist ▸
RIN2 Syndrome (MACS Syndrome): A Comprehensive Disease Characterization Report
openscientist-autonomous 9 citations 2026-10-31T14:48:33.680756

RIN2 Syndrome (MACS Syndrome): A Comprehensive Disease Characterization Report

Disease: RIN2 Syndrome / MACS Syndrome Causal gene: RIN2 (Ras and Rab Interactor 2; HGNC:18750; NCBI Gene 54453; UniProt Q8WYP3) MONDO ID: MONDO:0013115 · OMIM: 613075 · Chromosome: 20p11.23


Summary

RIN2 syndrome — also known as MACS syndrome (Macrocephaly, Alopecia, Cutis laxa, Scoliosis) — is an ultra-rare autosomal recessive connective-tissue disorder caused by biallelic loss-of-function (truncating/frameshift) variants in the RIN2 gene on chromosome 20p11.23. RIN2 encodes the Ras and Rab Interactor 2 protein, a cytoplasmic guanine-nucleotide-exchange factor (GEF) for RAB5B and a Ras effector that regulates early endocytic vesicular trafficking. This report consolidates nine confirmed findings assembled across five investigation iterations, each grounded in the primary clinical and molecular literature.

The core mechanistic chain is now well supported: loss of functional RIN2 protein impairs Rab5-dependent endocytic and secretory trafficking (patient fibroblasts show dilated endoplasmic reticulum and abnormal Golgi cisternae), which reduces extracellular deposition of fibulin-5 and dermal microfibrils, disrupting elastic-fiber and collagen assembly in connective tissue. Because fibulin-5 is essential for elastic-fiber formation (it bridges tropoelastin and fibrillin-1 microfibrils), its depletion produces the characteristic dermal and systemic connective-tissue phenotype: progressive facial coarsening, gingival (gum) hypertrophy, sparse scalp hair/alopecia, macrocephaly, soft redundant and/or hyperextensible skin, joint hypermobility, and scoliosis.

Clinically, RIN2 syndrome is diagnosed by recognizing the characteristic gestalt and confirming biallelic RIN2 variants by exome/genome or targeted sequencing. Only ~11–15 patients from ~6 consanguineous families had been reported through the early 2020s, making it one of the rarest known connective-tissue disorders. Management is entirely supportive and multidisciplinary; there is no disease-modifying drug, gene, or cell therapy, no clinical trial, and no published animal model. The course is chronic, lifelong, and slowly progressive but generally non-lethal, with survival into adulthood and generally preserved cognition.


Key Findings

Finding 1 — RIN2 syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by biallelic loss-of-function RIN2 variants

MACS syndrome was originally mapped to chromosome 20p11.21–p11.23, and a homozygous frameshift mutation in RIN2 was shown to segregate with the disease in a large consanguineous kindred, accompanied by decreased RIN2 expression (PMID: 19631308). Multiple independent families subsequently confirmed the gene, each harboring biallelic truncating/frameshift variants:

Variant (cDNA / protein) Consequence Reference
Homozygous frameshift (founding kindred) ↓ RIN2 expression PMID: 19631308
c.1914_1915delGC (frameshift → PTC) Nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) PMID: 20424861
c.1878dupC p.Ile627Hisfs*7 Truncation PMID: 27277385
c.1878_1879insC p.Ile627Hisfs*7 Truncation PMID: 24449201
c.2251dup p.Leu751Profs*9 Truncation PMID: 30769224
c.1938delT (frameshift) Truncation PMID: 31521835

"The disorder was mapped to chromosome 20p11.21-p11.23, and a homozygous frameshift mutation in RIN2 was found to segregate with the disease phenotype in a large consanguineous kindred." — PMID: 19631308

"The c.1914_1915delGC mutation introduces a frameshift and creates a premature termination codon, leading to nonsense-mediated mRNA decay." — PMID: 20424861

Variant classification: All reported pathogenic variants are frameshift/truncating (ACMG: pathogenic/likely pathogenic; PVS1 null-variant criterion applies given the LoF mechanism). No recurrent pathogenic missense variant is established. Origin: germline. Functional consequence: loss of function (through NMD for early truncations, or loss of the C-terminal Rab5-GEF/Ras-effector domains for later truncations).

Finding 2 — RIN2 deficiency impairs Rab5-mediated endocytic trafficking, reducing dermal microfibrils and fibulin-5

RIN2 interacts with Rab5 and regulates early endocytic trafficking. RIN2 deficiency is associated with a paucity of dermal microfibrils and a deficiency of fibulin-5 in the extracellular matrix, directly linking the molecular lesion to the connective-tissue phenotype (PMID: 19631308). Ultrastructural skin studies additionally revealed abnormal collagen-fibril morphology, and patient fibroblasts displayed a dilated endoplasmic reticulum and abnormal Golgi apparatus with rarefied, dilated cisternae — direct evidence of secretory-pathway dysfunction (PMID: 20424861).

The downstream importance of fibulin-5 is independently established: fibulin-5 is essential for elastic-fiber assembly, binding tropoelastin and fibrillin-1 microfibrils and facilitating deposition of elastin onto a microfibrillar scaffold. Its loss disorganizes dermal elastic fibers, and recessive fibulin-5 mutations cause cutis laxa through misfolding, decreased secretion, and reduced elastin/fibrillin-1 interaction (PMID: 17035250).

"RIN2 deficiency was found to be associated with paucity of dermal microfibrils and deficiency of fibulin-5, which may underlie the abnormal skin phenotype displayed by the patients." — PMID: 19631308

"fibroblasts exhibited a dilated endoplasmic reticulum and an abnormal Golgi apparatus with rarefied and dilated cisternae" — PMID: 20424861

Finding 3 — Characteristic progressive craniofacial and connective-tissue phenotype with expanding systemic features

Hallmark features include macrocephaly (normal-to-enlarged occipitofrontal circumference), striking progressive facial coarsening, downslanting palpebral fissures, puffy/droopy eyelids, full everted lips, gingival (gum) hypertrophy, irregular dentition, sparse scalp hair/alopecia, soft redundant and/or hyperextensible skin, joint hypermobility, and scoliosis (PMID: 27277385; PMID: 30769224; PMID: 20424861). Across families, the phenotype has expanded to include bronchiectasis and hypergonadotropic hypogonadism (PMID: 24449201); cervical vertebral fusion, mild hearing loss, and colonic fibrosis (PMID: 27277385); and white-matter abnormalities/leukoencephalopathy on brain MRI (PMID: 30769224). The condition shows phenotypic overlap with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (dermatosparaxis and kyphoscoliosis subtypes).

"Hallmark features of this condition include dysmorphic facial features with striking, progressive facial coarsening, sparse hair, normal to enlarged occipitofrontal circumference, soft redundant and/or hyperextensible skin, and scoliosis." — PMID: 27277385

"additional findings not previously described in MACS syndrome, including bronchiectasis and hypergonadotropic hypogonadism" — PMID: 24449201

Phenotype table with suggested HPO terms:

Phenotype Type HPO term (suggested) Frequency Onset / Progression
Macrocephaly / enlarged OFC Physical HP:0000256 Common Congenital/early
Progressive facial coarsening Clinical sign HP:0000280 Hallmark Progressive
Downslanting palpebral fissures Physical HP:0000494 Common Congenital
Puffy/droopy eyelids (ptosis) Physical HP:0000508 Common Early
Full everted lips Physical HP:0000202 (thick lip) Common Early
Gingival hypertrophy Clinical sign HP:0000212 Hallmark Progressive
Irregular dentition Physical HP:0000705 Common Childhood
Sparse scalp hair / alopecia Physical HP:0002209 / HP:0001596 Hallmark Early
Cutis laxa / redundant skin Physical HP:0000973 Hallmark Congenital
Hyperextensible skin Physical HP:0000974 Common Congenital
Joint hypermobility Physical HP:0001382 Common Early
Scoliosis Clinical sign HP:0002650 Hallmark Progressive
Bronchiectasis Clinical sign HP:0002110 Rare (expanded) Variable
Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism Lab/clinical HP:0000815 Rare (expanded) Adolescence
Hearing loss (mild) Clinical sign HP:0000365 Rare Variable
Leukoencephalopathy / white-matter changes Imaging HP:0002352 Rare (expanded) Variable

Finding 4 — gnomAD constraint confirms RIN2 is LoF-tolerant in the heterozygous state, consistent with recessive inheritance

Gene-level constraint metrics from gnomAD (gene ENSG00000132669; chr20:19,757,606–20,002,457, GRCh38; canonical transcript ENST00000255006) show:

Metric Value Interpretation
pLI 0.003 Far below the 0.9 haploinsufficiency threshold → LoF-tolerant
LOEUF (oe_lof_upper) 0.61 Moderate tolerance to LoF
Observed/expected LoF 36/78 (oe = 0.46) No strong depletion of LoF alleles
Missense Z 0.91 No significant missense constraint

Heterozygous LoF alleles are present in the general population, which is fully consistent with recessive inheritance — a single intact allele suffices for health, and disease requires loss of both copies.

Finding 5 — RIN2 protein architecture explains its role as a Rab5 GEF/Ras effector and why C-terminal truncations are pathogenic

UniProt Q8WYP3 describes RIN2 as an 895-amino-acid cytoplasmic protein with three key domains:

  • SH2 domain (aa 97–190) — phosphotyrosine binding
  • VPS9 domain (aa 618–757) — the catalytic Rab5 guanine-nucleotide-exchange (GEF) module
  • Ras-associating (RA) domain (aa 787–878) — Ras effector interaction

UniProt annotates RIN2 as a "Ras effector protein... May function as a guanine nucleotide exchange (GEF) of RAB5B, required for activating the RAB5 proteins by exchanging bound GDP for free GTP." The protein is widely expressed (heart, kidney, lung, placenta), matching the systemic nature of the disease. Critically, the reported pathogenic truncations fall at or around the VPS9 GEF domain and upstream of the RA domain — p.Ile627Hisfs7 (PMID: 27277385; PMID: 24449201) and p.Leu751Profs9 (PMID: 30769224) — while earlier frameshifts trigger NMD (PMID: 20424861; PMID: 19631308). Either way, the GEF/effector function is abolished.

"a ubiquitously expressed protein that interacts with Rab5 and is involved in the regulation of endocytic trafficking" — PMID: 19631308

Finding 6 — Ultra-rare disorder strongly linked to consanguinity and homozygous founder-like truncating alleles

Only ~11–15 patients from ~6 consanguineous families (Algerian, Turkish, Italian, Iranian, Pakistani, and others) had been reported by 2020. PMID: 27277385 notes "only nine patients from four independent families reported to date," and PMID: 30769224 describes the 11th patient. All reported families are consanguineous with homozygous truncating variants, and the same p.Ile627Hisfs*7 allele recurred in independent families (PMID: 24449201; PMID: 27277385). Because gnomAD shows the gene is LoF-tolerant, heterozygous carriers are healthy and asymptomatic. No formal carrier-frequency or population-prevalence estimate exists; Orphanet classifies it as a rare genetic cutis-laxa/connective-tissue disorder with prevalence <1/1,000,000.

"a rare autosomal recessive connective tissue disorder, with only nine patients from four independent families reported to date" — PMID: 27277385

"It is a rare condition, inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern." — PMID: 24449201

Finding 7 — Gene is evolutionarily conserved, but no animal model recapitulating RIN2 syndrome exists

Ensembl orthology shows human RIN2 has one-to-one orthologs in mouse (Rin2, ENSMUSG00000001768, 91.4% aa identity), rat (ENSRNOG00000010131, 88.4%), chicken (68.9%), and Xenopus (65.8%), plus co-orthologs in zebrafish (~48–51%). However, the IMPC returned zero phenotype annotations for a mouse Rin2 knockout (numFound = 0), and no published mouse/zebrafish/fly disease model of RIN2 syndrome exists. Consequently, all mechanistic understanding derives from human patient skin and fibroblast studies: ultrastructural collagen/elastic-fiber abnormalities, dilated ER and abnormal Golgi, and reduced fibulin-5 and dermal microfibrils (PMID: 20424861; PMID: 19631308).

"fibroblasts exhibited a dilated endoplasmic reticulum and an abnormal Golgi apparatus with rarefied and dilated cisternae" — PMID: 20424861

Finding 8 — Diagnosis rests on clinical recognition plus molecular confirmation, with a defined differential distinguished by normal glycosylation

Diagnosis is made by recognizing the characteristic gestalt (progressive facial coarsening, gingival hypertrophy, sparse hair, redundant/hyperextensible skin, scoliosis) and confirming biallelic RIN2 variants by exome/genome or targeted sequencing — all reported diagnoses used WES or gene sequencing (PMID: 30769224; PMID: 31521835). Supportive investigations include skin biopsy with electron microscopy (paucity of dermal microfibrils, abnormal collagen morphology, dilated ER, abnormal Golgi, reduced fibulin-5 immunostaining; PMID: 20424861; PMID: 19631308), spine radiographs for scoliosis, and brain MRI (may show leukoencephalopathy; PMID: 30769224).

Differential diagnosis: RIN2 syndrome overlaps with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (dermatosparaxis and kyphoscoliosis subtypes) and inherited cutis laxa syndromes (PMID: 27277385). Unlike the metabolic cutis laxa syndromes (ATP6V0A2/ALG-related CDG, PYCR1, ALDH18A1/P5CS, Menkes/ATP7A, TALDO1, GORAB), RIN2 syndrome shows normal glycosylation and metabolic screening, which aids differentiation (PMID: 21431621). The broad cutis-laxa differential, including MACS/RIN2, is catalogued in PMID: 28409271.

"Patients with RIN2 syndrome present phenotypic overlap with other conditions, including EDS (especially the dermatosparaxis and kyphoscoliosis subtypes)." — PMID: 27277385

"In metabolic cutis laxa syndromes the clinical and laboratory features might partially overlap, however there are some distinct, discriminative features." — PMID: 21431621

Finding 9 — Management is entirely supportive; prognosis is chronic/progressive but non-lethal with preserved cognition

There is no disease-modifying, pharmacological, gene, or cell therapy and no clinical trial for RIN2 syndrome. Care is symptomatic and multidisciplinary, targeting each affected organ system:

Organ system Manifestation Supportive management NCIT term (suggested)
Orthopedic/spine Progressive scoliosis Bracing / corrective surgery Scoliosis Surgery
Musculoskeletal Joint hypermobility Physiotherapy Physical Therapy
Dental/periodontal Gingival hypertrophy, irregular dentition Dental/periodontal care Dental Care
Dermatologic Fragile/redundant skin Skin protection Supportive Care
Audiology Hearing loss Hearing aids/monitoring Audiologic Evaluation
Respiratory Bronchiectasis Airway clearance, infection control Respiratory Therapy
Endocrine Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism Hormone replacement Hormone Replacement Therapy
Ophthalmology Eyelid/periorbital features Routine follow-up Eye Care

The course is chronic, lifelong, and progressive (facial coarsening and scoliosis worsen with age), but the oldest reported patient was an adult (PMID: 27277385), indicating survival into adulthood. Intellect is generally normal/near-normal, and no life-threatening large-vessel rupture (as seen in vascular EDS) has been reported, although connective-tissue fragility is present.

"the oldest reported patient so far, who harbors the previously identified homozygous RIN2 mutation c.1878dupC" — PMID: 27277385

"additional findings not previously described in MACS syndrome, including bronchiectasis and hypergonadotropic hypogonadism" — PMID: 24449201


Section-by-Section Synthesis

1. Disease Information

RIN2 syndrome (MACS syndrome) is an ultra-rare autosomal recessive connective-tissue disorder. Identifiers: OMIM 613075; MONDO:0013115; Orphanet (rare cutis-laxa/connective-tissue disorder). Synonyms: MACS syndrome; RIN2 deficiency; macrocephaly-alopecia-cutis laxa-scoliosis syndrome; tall forehead–sparse hair–skin hyperextensibility–scoliosis syndrome. Information is derived from aggregated case reports/series of individual consanguineous families plus disease-level resources (OMIM/Orphanet), not from large EHR cohorts.

2. Etiology

Primary cause: genetic — biallelic loss-of-function RIN2 variants (Finding 1). Genetic risk factor: consanguinity (all reported families; Finding 6). There are no established environmental, infectious, lifestyle, protective, or gene–environment modifiers — the disorder is monogenic Mendelian with no reported modifier genes.

3. Phenotypes

See Finding 3 table (HPO terms and frequencies). Hallmark features are craniofacial/connective-tissue; expanded features are systemic. Quality-of-life impact is driven by progressive facial coarsening, scoliosis, dental/gingival disease, and skin fragility; no standardized QoL instruments have been applied.

4. Genetic/Molecular Information

Causal gene RIN2 (HGNC:18750; OMIM 610222 for the gene). All pathogenic variants reported are frameshift/truncating, germline, loss-of-function (Finding 1, 5). No modifier genes, epigenetic mechanisms, or chromosomal abnormalities are implicated. gnomAD constraint (Finding 4) supports recessive LoF.

5. Environmental Information

Not applicable — no environmental factors, lifestyle factors, or infectious agents are implicated in this monogenic disorder.

6. Mechanism / Pathophysiology

See the Mechanistic Model section below (ordered causal chain).

7. Anatomical Structures Affected

Primary: skin (UBERON:0002097), face/craniofacial structures (UBERON:0001456), gingiva (UBERON:0001708), vertebral column/spine (UBERON:0001130). Secondary/expanded: lung/bronchi (UBERON:0002048, bronchiectasis), gonads (hypogonadism), ear (hearing loss), brain white matter (leukoencephalopathy), colon (fibrosis). Tissue level: connective tissue (elastic fibers, collagen, microfibrils); cell type: dermal fibroblast (CL:0002620). Subcellular: endoplasmic reticulum (GO:0005783), Golgi apparatus (GO:0005794), early endosome (GO:0005769). Lateralization: bilateral/symmetric.

8. Temporal Development

Onset: congenital/early-childhood (macrocephaly, skin findings present early). Pattern: chronic, insidious, slowly progressive. Progression: facial coarsening and scoliosis worsen with age; no remission. Duration: lifelong. Childhood is the key window for orthopedic and dental intervention.

9. Inheritance and Population

Inheritance: autosomal recessive (Finding 1, 6). Penetrance: appears complete in biallelic individuals; expressivity is variable (expanded features vary by family). Prevalence: <1/1,000,000 (ultra-rare). Consanguinity: central risk factor; recurrent founder-like p.Ile627Hisfs7 allele. Carrier frequency: not formally estimated; carriers asymptomatic. No genetic anticipation. Sex ratio: not established (both sexes affected). Populations:* reported in Algerian, Turkish, Italian, Iranian, Pakistani and other consanguineous families.

10. Diagnostics

See Finding 8. Molecular confirmation (WES/WGS/targeted RIN2 sequencing) is definitive; skin biopsy/EM, spine radiographs, and brain MRI are supportive; metabolic/glycosylation screening is normal (distinguishes from metabolic cutis laxa).

11. Outcome/Prognosis

See Finding 9. Chronic, progressive connective-tissue morbidity (scoliosis, dental, skin, and expanded systemic complications) with survival into adulthood and generally preserved cognition; no reported fatal vascular rupture. No formal survival statistics exist given rarity.

12. Treatment

See Finding 9 table. Entirely supportive/multidisciplinary — orthopedic, physiotherapy, dental, dermatologic, audiologic, respiratory, endocrine, ophthalmologic. No pharmacotherapy, gene therapy, cell therapy, or targeted therapy; no clinical trials (no NCT identifiers).

13. Prevention

Primary prevention: genetic counseling for consanguineous families; carrier/cascade testing once the familial variant is known; prenatal/preimplantation genetic diagnosis available for at-risk pregnancies. Secondary/tertiary: early orthopedic and dental surveillance to prevent complications. No population screening or immunization is applicable.

14. Other Species / Natural Disease

RIN2 is conserved with clear mammalian orthologs (mouse Rin2 NCBI Gene 266971; Finding 7), but no naturally occurring animal disease (OMIA) equivalent has been reported. No zoonotic or veterinary relevance.

15. Model Organisms

No published animal model recapitulates RIN2 syndrome; IMPC has zero Rin2 knockout phenotype annotations (Finding 7). The principal experimental system is patient-derived skin fibroblasts (in vitro), which display the ER/Golgi and ECM defects. Mouse/zebrafish knockouts are feasible given conservation but have not been characterized for this disease.


Mechanistic Model / Interpretation

Ordered causal chain (initiating lesion → clinical manifestation)

  1. Biallelic truncating/frameshift mutation in RIN2 (germline, recessive) leads to either nonsense-mediated decay of the transcript (early truncations) or a protein lacking its C-terminal VPS9 GEF and RA domains (later truncations). (Demonstrated — PMID 19631308, 20424861.)
  2. Loss of functional RIN2 results in absence of its RAB5B guanine-nucleotide-exchange (GEF) activity and loss of Ras-effector function. (Inferred from UniProt domain function + observed truncation positions.)
  3. Failure to load RAB5 with GTP impairs early endocytic and secretory vesicular trafficking. (Demonstrated at the cellular level — dilated ER and abnormal Golgi in patient fibroblasts, PMID 20424861.)
  4. Disrupted trafficking reduces extracellular deposition of fibulin-5 and dermal microfibrils in the extracellular matrix. (Demonstrated — PMID 19631308.)
  5. Fibulin-5 deficiency disrupts elastic-fiber assembly (fibulin-5 normally bridges tropoelastin and fibrillin-1 microfibrils). (Demonstrated for fibulin-5 biology — PMID 17035250.)
  6. Defective elastic-fiber and collagen matrix leads to the systemic connective-tissue phenotype, which branches into skin, craniofacial, skeletal, and other-system manifestations. (Clinical associations observed; mechanistic link to expanded features inferred.)

ASCII schematic

 Biallelic LoF RIN2 (frameshift/truncation; recessive)
    │
    ▼
 NMD of transcript  OR  protein lacking VPS9-GEF + RA domains
    │
    ▼
 Loss of RAB5B GEF activity / Ras-effector function
    │
    ▼
 Impaired early endocytic + secretory trafficking
 (dilated ER, abnormal Golgi in fibroblasts)
    │
    ▼
 ↓ Fibulin-5 + ↓ dermal microfibrils in ECM
    │
    ▼
 Defective elastic-fiber / collagen assembly
    │
     ┌──────┼───────────┬──────────────┐
     ▼      ▼           ▼              ▼
   Skin   Craniofacial  Skeletal    Systemic (expanded)
 cutis   facial         scoliosis   bronchiectasis
 laxa    coarsening,    joint       hypogonadism
 gum hypertrophy hypermobility leukoencephalopathy

Ontology term suggestions

  • Gene/protein: HGNC:18750 (RIN2); UniProt Q8WYP3; NCBI Gene 54453
  • Biological processes (GO): GO:0006897 (endocytosis); GO:0005088 (Ras GEF activity); GO:0017112 (Rab GEF activity); GO:0048251 (elastic fiber assembly)
  • Cellular components (GO): GO:0005783 (endoplasmic reticulum); GO:0005794 (Golgi apparatus); GO:0005769 (early endosome)
  • Cell types (CL): CL:0000057 (fibroblast); CL:0002620 (skin fibroblast)
  • Anatomy (UBERON): UBERON:0002097 (skin); UBERON:0001456 (face); UBERON:0001708 (gingiva); UBERON:0001130 (vertebral column); UBERON:0002048 (lung)
  • Chemical entities (CHEBI): CHEBI:17552 (GDP); CHEBI:15996 (GTP)
  • Disease: MONDO:0013115; OMIM:613075

Evidence Base

PMID Title (abbrev.) Contribution Evidence type
19631308 RIN2 deficiency → MACS syndrome Original gene mapping (20p11.21-23), recessive segregation, RIN2–Rab5 link, fibulin-5/microfibril deficiency Human clinical + molecular
20424861 RIN2 syndrome, new AR connective-tissue disorder NMD mechanism (c.1914_1915delGC); fibroblast ER/Golgi ultrastructure Human clinical + in vitro
27277385 RIN2 syndrome: expanding the phenotype Hallmark feature list; EDS differential; oldest adult patient; recurrent p.Ile627Hisfs*7 Human clinical
24449201 Novel features in two siblings (MACS) Bronchiectasis + hypergonadotropic hypogonadism; AR inheritance Human clinical
30769224 Leukoencephalopathy in RIN2 syndrome 11th patient; novel c.2251dup p.Leu751Profs*9; white-matter MRI changes Human clinical
31521835 RIN2 + BBS7 coincidental syndrome Novel c.1938delT; WES strategy in consanguineous family Human clinical
17035250 Fibulin-5 mutations in recessive cutis laxa Mechanism of fibulin-5 in elastic-fiber assembly (supports downstream step) In vitro + human
21431621 Metabolic cutis laxa syndromes Differential diagnosis via glycosylation/metabolic screening Review
28409271 Cutis laxa with Leigh-like (ECHS1) Catalogs cutis-laxa differential incl. MACS/RIN2 Human clinical + review

Supporting vs. challenging: All nine papers are mutually supporting; none challenges the core model. The fibulin-5 paper (PMID: 17035250) supplies the mechanistic basis for the downstream elastic-fiber defect but concerns a different gene (FBLN5), so it is corroborative by analogy rather than direct proof of the RIN2 → fibulin-5 step. The gnomAD and UniProt data (Findings 4–5) are computational/database evidence that reinforce the recessive LoF model.


Limitations and Knowledge Gaps

  1. Extreme rarity: With only ~11–15 reported patients from ~6 consanguineous families, all phenotype frequencies, prognosis estimates, and genotype–phenotype correlations rest on small case series and may be biased toward severe, ascertained cases.
  2. No animal model: Despite strong ortholog conservation (mouse Rin2 91.4% identity), there is no published mouse/zebrafish/fly model and the IMPC has zero Rin2 knockout phenotype annotations. The causal chain between RIN2 loss and fibulin-5 depletion is therefore inferred from patient fibroblasts, not demonstrated in a controlled genetic model.
  3. Mechanistic gaps: The precise step linking impaired Rab5 trafficking to reduced fibulin-5 secretion (vs. reduced synthesis or ECM retention) is not experimentally dissected. Whether the Ras-effector (RA-domain) function contributes independently of the Rab5-GEF function is unknown.
  4. Expanded-phenotype mechanisms: The mechanistic basis for bronchiectasis, hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, and leukoencephalopathy is unexplained — these may reflect broad trafficking dysfunction in multiple tissues but lack direct evidence.
  5. Epidemiology undefined: No carrier frequency, incidence, or formally measured prevalence exists; the <1/1,000,000 Orphanet estimate is a classification, not a measured value.
  6. No missense/structural-variant data: All reported variants are truncating; the pathogenicity of potential missense or structural RIN2 variants is untested, leaving VUS interpretation uncertain.
  7. No natural-history or QoL data: There are no longitudinal cohorts, standardized QoL instruments (EQ-5D/SF-36), or registry data for RIN2 syndrome.

Proposed Follow-up Experiments / Actions

  1. Generate a genetic animal model. Create a mouse Rin2 knockout or patient-mimicking frameshift knock-in (and/or zebrafish rin2 CRISPR line) and phenotype skin elastic fibers, craniofacial development, and spine — converting the currently inferred RIN2 → fibulin-5 → elastic-fiber chain into demonstrated causality.
  2. Mechanistic rescue in patient fibroblasts. Test whether wild-type RIN2 re-expression restores Rab5-GTP loading, normalizes ER/Golgi ultrastructure, and rescues fibulin-5 secretion; use GEF-dead vs. RA-domain-mutant constructs to separate the two functions.
  3. Secretion vs. synthesis assay. Use pulse-chase immunoprecipitation (as in the fibulin-5 cutis-laxa work) to determine whether fibulin-5 is under-synthesized, mis-secreted, or mis-deposited in RIN2-deficient cells.
  4. Multi-omics on patient tissue. Apply transcriptomics/proteomics to patient fibroblasts (deposit in GEO/PRIDE) to map the full trafficking-defect signature and identify biomarkers.
  5. International registry + natural-history study. Aggregate all known families via GeneMatcher/Orphanet to refine phenotype frequencies, define progression rates, and collect standardized QoL data.
  6. Structural modeling. Use AlphaFold/experimental structures of the RIN2 VPS9–RA module with RAB5B to model how specific truncations ablate GEF activity and to assess future missense variants.
  7. Carrier-frequency estimation. Mine gnomAD and population databases for RIN2 LoF alleles to produce a first quantitative carrier-frequency and expected-prevalence estimate, informing genetic counseling in consanguineous populations.

Conclusion

RIN2 syndrome (MACS syndrome; OMIM 613075, MONDO:0013115) is an ultra-rare autosomal recessive connective-tissue disorder caused by biallelic loss-of-function variants in RIN2 on chromosome 20p11.23. The encoded Ras and Rab Interactor 2 protein is a RAB5B guanine-nucleotide-exchange factor and Ras effector; its loss impairs Rab5-dependent endocytic/secretory trafficking, depletes fibulin-5 and dermal microfibrils, and disrupts elastic-fiber and collagen assembly, producing the progressive facial coarsening, gingival hypertrophy, sparse hair, macrocephaly, cutis laxa, joint hypermobility, and scoliosis that define the phenotype. Diagnosis requires molecular confirmation of biallelic RIN2 variants; management is purely supportive and multidisciplinary; and the course is chronic, progressive, but generally non-lethal with preserved cognition. The chief gaps are the absence of any animal model and the small number of reported patients, which limit mechanistic validation and epidemiologic precision.

Artifacts

Reference Validation

Checked with linkml-reference-validator 0.4.0.

Outcome Count
References checked 9
Resolved 9
Unresolved (possible confabulation) 0
Unverifiable 0
References weighed for topical relevance 9
On topic 7
Off topic 0

All extracted references resolved successfully.

Term Validation

Checked with linkml-term-validator 0.4.5, through the ols: adapter.

Outcome Count
Terms checked 36
Resolved 32
Unresolved (possible confabulation) 0
Obsolete 2
Unverifiable 2
Terms whose name was checked 31
Terms named correctly 12
Terms named as a different term 18
Terms whose name is worth a second look 1

Terms the report names something else

These identifiers resolve, so nothing about them looks wrong, and the ontology calls them something unrelated to what the report calls them. That usually means the identifier is not the one the sentence needs:

  • HP:0000256 (1 mention) - the report calls it "Physical"; HP calls it Macrocephaly
  • HP:0000280 (1 mention) - the report calls it "Clinical sign"; HP calls it Coarse facial features
  • HP:0000494 (1 mention) - the report calls it "Physical"; HP calls it Downslanted palpebral fissures
  • HP:0000508 (1 mention) - the report calls it "Physical"; HP calls it Ptosis
  • HP:0000202 (1 mention) - the report calls it "thick lip"; HP calls it Orofacial cleft
  • HP:0000212 (1 mention) - the report calls it "Clinical sign"; HP calls it Gingival overgrowth
  • HP:0000705 (1 mention) - the report calls it "Physical"; HP calls it Amelogenesis imperfecta
  • HP:0000973 (1 mention) - the report calls it "Physical"; HP calls it Cutis laxa
  • HP:0000974 (1 mention) - the report calls it "Physical"; HP calls it Hyperextensible skin
  • HP:0001382 (1 mention) - the report calls it "Physical"; HP calls it Joint hypermobility
  • HP:0002650 (1 mention) - the report calls it "Clinical sign"; HP calls it Scoliosis
  • HP:0002110 (1 mention) - the report calls it "Clinical sign"; HP calls it Bronchiectasis
  • HP:0000815 (1 mention) - the report calls it "Lab/clinical"; HP calls it Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism
  • HP:0000365 (1 mention) - the report calls it "Clinical sign"; HP calls it Hearing impairment
  • HP:0002352 (1 mention) - the report calls it "Imaging"; HP calls it Leukoencephalopathy
  • UBERON:0001708 (2 mentions) - the report calls it "gingiva"; UBERON calls it jaw skeleton
  • GO:0005088 (1 mention) - the report calls it "Ras GEF activity"; GO calls it GO_0005088
  • GO:0017112 (1 mention) - the report calls it "Rab GEF activity"; GO calls it GO_0017112

Obsolete terms

These terms are real but deprecated. Citing one is not a fabrication; it does mean the report is naming something the ontology has retired:

  • GO:0005088 (GO_0005088) (1 mention) - replaced by GO:0005085
  • GO:0017112 (GO_0017112) (1 mention) - replaced by GO:0005085

Terms whose name is worth a second look

The report's name for these is recognisably related to the term's own name without being one of them. A loose paraphrase reads the same way as a citation of the wrong sibling term - and so does a related synonym, which the ontology records precisely because it names something adjacent rather than the same thing - so these are listed rather than judged:

  • UBERON:0002097 (2 mentions) - the report calls it "skin"; UBERON calls it skin of body, and lists "skin" among its other names

Prefixes with no resolver

Terms carrying these prefixes were not checked either way, because no configured ontology covers them. An unrecognised prefix may name an ontology this run could not reach as easily as one that does not exist, so nothing here is evidence of fabrication: OMIM.