Differences of Sex Development

Gene: EMX2

Green List (high evidence)

EMX2 (empty spiracles homeobox 2)
EnsemblGeneIds (GRCh38): ENSG00000170370
EnsemblGeneIds (GRCh37): ENSG00000170370
OMIM: 600035, ClinGen, DECIPHER
EMX2 is in 9 panels

1 review

Krithika Murali (Pathology Queensland)

Green List (high evidence)

PMID: 25577462 Lin et al 2014 - novel, heterozygous EMX2 PTC variant (p.E142X) identified in an XX female with didelphic uterus, variant inheritance unknown. Western blot and functional studies indicated formation of a truncated protein with dominant-negative effect. Variant was identified through direct sequencing of EMX2 in a cohort of 517 patients with incomplete Mullerian fusion.

PMID: 33434492 Chen et al 2021 AJHG, identified a novel, heterozygous EMX2 PTC variant (p.Tyr120ter) in a female with type I MKHS (inheritance unknown). Identified through exome-sequencing in an MKHS cohort.

PMID: 34829455 Miclea et al 2021 (Diagnostic) - large panel sequencing performed in a DSD cohort. Novel missense (inheritance unknown) - p.Arg205Gln - identified in a 4 yo XY male with hypospadius, GDD/ID, Pierre-robin sequence, hydrocephalus. Variant located in the DNA binding domain, classified as VUS.

PMID: 41765865 Stamou et al 2026 (Genetics in Medicine) performed trio WES on an idiopathic hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism cohort. 3 de novo CNVs detected in individuals with DSD and developmental delay - 18 genes including EMX2 in the minimal critical region. In addition, x2 unrelated individuals with DSD, dev delay, hearing loss had a heterozygous de novo p.Lys199Gln missense variant located in the DNA binding domain. x1 individual identified with crytorchidism and a heterozygous Ser111Ter variant (inheritance unknown).

Based on the current evidence:
- Green for hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism and DSD
- Amber for ID - based on 3 unrelated individuals with dev delay and variants in the DNA binding domain (p.Arg205Gln, p.Lys199Gln)
- Red for Pierre-Robin sequence
Created: 12 Apr 2026, 2:04 p.m. | Last Modified: 12 Apr 2026, 2:16 p.m.
Panel Version: 1.50

Mode of inheritance
MONOALLELIC, autosomal or pseudoautosomal, NOT imprinted

Phenotypes
Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, MONDO:0015770, EMX2-related; 46,XX or XY DSD, EMX2-related

Publications

Details

Mode of Inheritance
MONOALLELIC, autosomal or pseudoautosomal, NOT imprinted
Sources
  • Expert Review Green
  • Victorian Clinical Genetics Services
Phenotypes
  • Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, MONDO:0015770, EMX2-related
  • 46,XX or XY DSD, EMX2-related
Tags
disputed
OMIM
600035
ClinGen
EMX2
DECIPHER
EMX2
Clinvar variants
Variants in EMX2
Penetrance
None
Publications
Panels with this gene

History Filter Activity

12 Apr 2026, Gel status: 3

Set publications

Krithika Murali (Pathology Queensland)

Publications for gene: EMX2 were set to 8528262; 9359037; 9153481; 9153481; 18409201

12 Apr 2026, Gel status: 3

Set Phenotypes

Krithika Murali (Pathology Queensland)

Phenotypes for gene: EMX2 were changed from Schizencephaly, MIM# 269160 to Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, MONDO:0015770, EMX2-related; 46,XX or XY DSD, EMX2-related

12 Apr 2026, Gel status: 3

Entity classified by Genomics England curator

Krithika Murali (Pathology Queensland)

Gene: emx2 has been classified as Green List (High Evidence).

12 Apr 2026, Gel status: 1

Entity classified by Genomics England curator

Krithika Murali (Pathology Queensland)

Gene: emx2 has been classified as Red List (Low Evidence).

12 Apr 2026, Gel status: 1

Created, Added New Source, Added Tag, Set mode of inheritance, Set publications, Set Phenotypes

Krithika Murali (Pathology Queensland)

gene: EMX2 was added gene: EMX2 was added to Differences of Sex Development. Sources: Expert Review Red,Victorian Clinical Genetics Services disputed tags were added to gene: EMX2. Mode of inheritance for gene: EMX2 was set to MONOALLELIC, autosomal or pseudoautosomal, NOT imprinted Publications for gene: EMX2 were set to 8528262; 9359037; 9153481; 9153481; 18409201 Phenotypes for gene: EMX2 were set to Schizencephaly, MIM# 269160