Abstract: Objective To detect ED1 gene mutations in the families with X-linked hypohidrotic ec-todermal dysplasia (XLHED). Methods Blood samples were obtained from 2 pedigrees. All 8 exons and flanking intronic boundaries of ED1 gene were amplified with polymerase chain reaction technique and then directly sequenced. Results Two mutations were found in ED1 gene. One was splicing mutation (IVS8+5 del G), the other was missense mutation (A959G). None of the mutations was found in normal individuals of two XLHED families and in 188 unrelated, population-matched control individuals. Conclusion Out of the ED1 gene mutations identified in 2 Chinese XLHED families, IVS8+5del G is a novel mutation.

Key words: DNA mutation analysis, Gene deletion, ED1 gene, Ectodermal dysplasia