Three mutations in the paired homeodomain of PAX3 that cause Waardenburg syndrome type 1

Genomic DNA from probands of various Waardenburg syndrome (WS) families were PCR-amplified using primers flanking the 8 exons of PAX3. The PCR fragments were screened for sequence variants, and subsequently cycle sequenced. Mutations were detected in exon 6 for 3 probands of WS type 1 families. These mutations all occur in the paired homeodomain DNA-binding motif.