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Yan X, Wang J, Yang W, Li L, Shen T, Geng J, Zhang Q, Zhong M, Xiong W, Bu F, Lu Y, Zhao Y, Cheng J, Yuan H. Molecular diagnosis, clinical evaluation and phenotypic spectrum of Townes-Brocks syndrome: insights from a large Chinese hearing loss cohort. J Med Genet 2024; 61:459-468. [PMID: 38296632 DOI: 10.1136/jmg-2023-109579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Townes-Brocks syndrome (TBS) is a rare genetic disorder characterised by multiple malformations. Due to its phenotypic heterogeneity and rarity, diagnosis and recognition of TBS can be challenging and there has been a lack of investigation of patients with atypical TBS in large cohorts and delineation of their phenotypic characteristics. METHODS We screened SALL1 and DACT1 variants using next-generation sequencing in the China Deafness Genetics Consortium (CDGC) cohort enrolling 20 666 unrelated hearing loss (HL) cases. Comprehensive clinical evaluations were conducted on seven members from a three-generation TBS family. Combining data from previously reported cases, we also provided a landscape of phenotypes and genotypes of patients with TBS. RESULTS We identified five novel and two reported pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) SALL1 variants from seven families. Audiological features in patients differed in severity and binaural asymmetry. Moreover, previously undocumented malformations in the middle and inner ear were detected in one patient. By comprehensive clinical evaluations, we further provide evidence for the causal relationship between SALL1 variation and certain endocrine abnormalities. Penetrance analysis within familial contexts revealed incomplete penetrance among first-generation patients with TBS and a higher disease burden among their affected offspring. CONCLUSION This study presents the first insight of genetic screening for patients with TBS in a large HL cohort. We broadened the phenotypic-genotypic spectrum of TBS and our results supported an underestimated prevalence of TBS. Due to the rarity and phenotypic heterogeneity of rare diseases, broader spectrum molecular tests, especially whole genome sequencing, can improve the situation of underdiagnosis and provide effective recommendations for clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohong Yan
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Rare Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Rare Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Wen Yang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Rare Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Linke Li
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Rare Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Tian Shen
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Rare Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jia Geng
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Rare Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Institute of Rare Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Mingjun Zhong
- Institute of Rare Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Wenyu Xiong
- Institute of Rare Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Fengxiao Bu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Rare Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yu Lu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Rare Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yu Zhao
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jing Cheng
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Rare Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Huijun Yuan
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Institute of Rare Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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2
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Werfel L, Martens H, Hennies I, Gjerstad AC, Fröde K, Altarescu G, Banerjee S, Valenzuela Palafoll I, Geffers R, Kirschstein M, Christians A, Bjerre A, Haffner D, Weber RG. Diagnostic Yield and Benefits of Whole Exome Sequencing in CAKUT Patients Diagnosed in the First Thousand Days of Life. Kidney Int Rep 2023; 8:2439-2457. [PMID: 38025229 PMCID: PMC10658255 DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2023.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) are the predominant cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the need for kidney replacement therapy (KRT) in children. Although more than 60 genes are known to cause CAKUT if mutated, genetic etiology is detected, on average, in only 16% of unselected CAKUT cases, making genetic testing unproductive. Methods Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed in 100 patients with CAKUT diagnosed in the first 1000 days of life with CKD stages 1 to 5D/T. Variants in 58 established CAKUT-associated genes were extracted, classified according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines, and their translational value was assessed. Results In 25% of these mostly sporadic patients with CAKUT, a rare likely pathogenic or pathogenic variant was identified in 1 or 2 of 15 CAKUT-associated genes, including GATA3, HNF1B, LIFR, PAX2, SALL1, and TBC1D1. Of the 27 variants detected, 52% were loss-of-function and 18.5% de novo variants. The diagnostic yield was significantly higher in patients requiring KRT before 3 years of age (43%, odds ratio 2.95) and in patients with extrarenal features (41%, odds ratio 3.5) compared with patients lacking these criteria. Considering that all affected genes were previously associated with extrarenal complications, including treatable conditions, such as diabetes, hyperuricemia, hypomagnesemia, and hypoparathyroidism, the genetic diagnosis allowed preventive measures and/or early treatment in 25% of patients. Conclusion WES offers significant advantages for the diagnosis and management of patients with CAKUT diagnosed before 3 years of age, especially in patients who require KRT or have extrarenal anomalies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Werfel
- Department of Human Genetics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Kidney, Liver and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Helge Martens
- Department of Human Genetics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Imke Hennies
- Department of Pediatric Kidney, Liver and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ann Christin Gjerstad
- Division of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kerstin Fröde
- Department of Pediatric Kidney, Liver and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Gheona Altarescu
- Medical Genetics Institute, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | | | | | - Robert Geffers
- Genome Analytics Research Group, Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | | | - Anne Christians
- Department of Human Genetics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anna Bjerre
- Division of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Dieter Haffner
- Department of Pediatric Kidney, Liver and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Congenital Kidney Diseases, Center for Rare Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ruthild G. Weber
- Department of Human Genetics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Congenital Kidney Diseases, Center for Rare Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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3
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Yuan L, Yang R, Deng H. Auricular fistula: a review of its clinical manifestations, genetics, and treatments. J Mol Med (Berl) 2023; 101:1041-1058. [PMID: 37458758 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-023-02343-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Auricular fistula is a common congenital auricular malformation, characterized as a small opening in the skin and a subcutaneous cyst. It can be classified in different ways according to positions of pits and directions of fistula tracts. The term preauricular fistula and variant type of preauricular fistula (postauricular fistula) are used. Auricular fistula prevalence varies in countries and populations, and its actual prevalence is presently unknown. The most accepted and widely cited theory of auricular fistula etiopathogenesis is an incorrect or incomplete fusion of six auricular hillocks that are mesenchymal proliferations. Auricular fistula can occur either sporadically or genetically. The pattern in inherited cases is thought to be incomplete autosomal dominant, with variable expressions, reduced penetrance, and inapparent gender differences. Auricular fistula has several forms and is reported as being a component of many syndromes. In the field of genetics, currently, there is no related review to comprehensively summarize the genetic basis of auricular fistula and related disorders. This article provides a comprehensive review of auricular fistula, especially congenital preauricular fistula, which accounts for the majority of auricular fistula, by summarizing the clinical manifestations, histological and embryological development, genetics, examinations, and treatments, as well as syndromes with auricular fistula.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lamei Yuan
- Health Management Center, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
- Center for Experimental Medicine, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
- Disease Genome Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
- Department of Neurology, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Ruikang Yang
- Health Management Center, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
- Center for Experimental Medicine, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
- Disease Genome Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Hao Deng
- Health Management Center, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China.
- Center for Experimental Medicine, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China.
- Disease Genome Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China.
- Department of Neurology, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China.
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4
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Liu W, Lin L, Yang Q, Jin S, Jiang H. Prkra Mutation Alters mRNA Expression During Embryonic External Ear Development. J Craniofac Surg 2023; 34:e387-e391. [PMID: 37185168 DOI: 10.1097/scs.0000000000009318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
To understand the changes in mRNA expression during the embryonic development of the external mouse ear after the point mutation of the Prkra gene, Prkra short ear mouse model was used to study the development of the embryonic external ear. The tissues of the embryonic external ear were obtained when mouse embryos developed to E15.5 and E17.5. The changes in the mRNA expression profile were detected and analyzed. Find_circ and CIRI2 softwares were used to identify the upregulated and down-regulated expression of mRNA in the experimental and control groups. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes functional annotations were conducted on the differentially expressed mRNA, and the related signal pathways were analyzed after the upregulation and down-regulation of mRNA expression. This study aimed to understand the regulation of mRNA expression in Prkra short-ear mice during the external ear development in embryos. The results showed a correlation between abnormally expressed mRNA and signal pathways and the regulation of the development of the external ear of Prkra short-ear mice, and there were differences in some key regulatory mRNA changes after the Prkra gene point mutation. This study will provide a new clue for the mechanism of mRNA regulating the development of the external mouse ear. The change in mRNA expression profile can also provide clues for studying the biological regulation mechanism of external ear embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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5
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Heterozygous variants in the DVL2 interaction region of DACT1 cause CAKUT and features of Townes-Brocks syndrome 2. Hum Genet 2023; 142:73-88. [PMID: 36066768 PMCID: PMC9839807 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-022-02481-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Most patients with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) remain genetically unexplained. In search of novel genes associated with CAKUT in humans, we applied whole-exome sequencing in a patient with kidney, anorectal, spinal, and brain anomalies, and identified a rare heterozygous missense variant in the DACT1 (dishevelled binding antagonist of beta catenin 1) gene encoding a cytoplasmic WNT signaling mediator. Our patient's features overlapped Townes-Brocks syndrome 2 (TBS2) previously described in a family carrying a DACT1 nonsense variant as well as those of Dact1-deficient mice. Therefore, we assessed the role of DACT1 in CAKUT pathogenesis. Taken together, very rare (minor allele frequency ≤ 0.0005) non-silent DACT1 variants were detected in eight of 209 (3.8%) CAKUT families, significantly more frequently than in controls (1.7%). All seven different DACT1 missense variants, predominantly likely pathogenic and exclusively maternally inherited, were located in the interaction region with DVL2 (dishevelled segment polarity protein 2), and biochemical characterization revealed reduced binding of mutant DACT1 to DVL2. Patients carrying DACT1 variants presented with kidney agenesis, duplex or (multi)cystic (hypo)dysplastic kidneys with hydronephrosis and TBS2 features. During murine development, Dact1 was expressed in organs affected by anomalies in patients with DACT1 variants, including the kidney, anal canal, vertebrae, and brain. In a branching morphogenesis assay, tubule formation was impaired in CRISPR/Cas9-induced Dact1-/- murine inner medullary collecting duct cells. In summary, we provide evidence that heterozygous hypomorphic DACT1 variants cause CAKUT and other features of TBS2, including anomalies of the skeleton, brain, distal digestive and genital tract.
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6
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Costa BC, Grangeia A, Galvão J, Vaz D, Melo M, Carraca T, Ramalho C, Dória S. Prenatal diagnosis study using array comparative genomic hybridization for genotype-phenotype correlation in 772 fetuses. Ann Diagn Pathol 2022; 61:152059. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2022.152059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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7
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Chen X, Xu Y, Li C, Lu X, Fu Y, Huang Q, Ma D, Ma J, Zhang T. Key Genes Identified in Nonsyndromic Microtia by the Analysis of Transcriptomics and Proteomics. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:16917-16927. [PMID: 35647449 PMCID: PMC9134388 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c07059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
As one of the common birth defects worldwide, nonsyndromic microtia is a complex disease that results from interactions between environmental and genetic factors. However, the underlying causes of nonsyndromic microtia are currently not well understood. The present study determined transcriptomic and proteomic profiles of auricular cartilage tissues in 10 patients with third-degree nonsyndromic microtia and five control subjects by RNA microarray and tandem mass tag-based quantitative proteomics technology. Relative mRNA and protein abundances were compared and evaluated for their function and putative involvement in nonsyndromic microtia. A total of 3971 differentially expressed genes and 256 differentially expressed proteins were identified. Bioinformatics analysis demonstrated that some of these genes and proteins showed potential associations with nonsyndromic microtia. Thirteen proteins with the same trend at the mRNA level obtained by the integrated analysis were validated by parallel reaction monitoring analysis. Several key genes, namely, LAMB2, COMP, APOA2, APOC2, APOC3, and A2M, were found to be dysregulated, which could contribute to nonsyndromic microtia. The present study is the first report on the transcriptomic and proteomic integrated analysis of nonsyndromic microtia using the same auricular cartilage sample. Additional studies are required to clarify the roles of potential key genes in nonsyndromic microtia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Chen
- ENT
institute, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan
University, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yuexin Xu
- Key
Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Ministry of Education,
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic
Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Chenlong Li
- Department
of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Xinyu Lu
- ENT
institute, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan
University, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yaoyao Fu
- Department
of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Qingqing Huang
- Department
of Bioinformatics, Medical Laboratory of
Nantong Zhongke, Nantong, Jiangsu 226133, China
| | - Duan Ma
- Key
Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Ministry of Education,
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic
Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jing Ma
- ENT
institute, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan
University, Shanghai 200031, China
- Department
of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Tianyu Zhang
- ENT
institute, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan
University, Shanghai 200031, China
- Department
of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- NHC
Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine, Fudan
University, Shanghai 200031, China
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8
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A genotype-first analysis in a cohort of Mullerian anomaly. J Hum Genet 2022; 67:347-352. [PMID: 35022528 DOI: 10.1038/s10038-021-00996-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Müllerian anomaly (M.A.) is a group of congenital anatomic abnormalities caused by aberrations of the development process of the Müllerian duct. M.A. can either be isolated or be involved in Mendelian syndromes, such as Dandy-Walker syndrome, Holt-Oram syndrome and Bardet-Biedl syndrome, which are often associated with both uterus and kidney malformations. In this study, we applied a genotype-first approach to analyze the whole-exome sequencing data of 492 patients with M.A. Six potential pathogenic variants were found in five genes previously related to female urogenital deformities (PKD1, SON, SALL1, BMPR1B, ITGA8), which are partially overlapping with our patients' phenotypes. We further identified eight incidental findings in seven genes related to Mendelian syndromes without known association with reproductive anomalies (TEK, COL11A1, ANKRD11, LEMD3, DLG5, SPTB, BMP2), which represent potential phenotype expansions of these genes.
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9
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The Role of De Novo Variants in Formation of Human Anorectal Malformations. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12091298. [PMID: 34573284 PMCID: PMC8466114 DOI: 10.3390/genes12091298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Anorectal malformations (ARM) represent a rare birth defect of the hindgut that occur in approximately 1 in 3000 live births. Around 60% of ARM occur with associated anomalies including defined genetic syndromes and associations with chromosomal aberrations. The etiology of ARM is heterogeneous, with the individual environmental or genetic risk factors remaining unknown for the majority of cases. The occurrence of familial ARM and previous epidemiologic analysis suggest autosomal dominant inheritance in a substantial subset of ARM patients. The implicated mortality and reduced fecundity in patients with ARM would lead to allele loss. However, mutational de novo events among the affected individuals could compensate for the evolutionary pressure. With the implementation of exome sequencing, array-based molecular karyotyping and family-based rare variant analyses, the technologies are available to identify the respective factors. This review discusses the identification of disease-causing variants among individuals with ARM. It highlights the role of mutational de novo events.
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10
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Dact1 is expressed during chicken and mouse skeletal myogenesis and modulated in human muscle diseases. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 256:110645. [PMID: 34252542 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2021.110645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Vertebrate skeletal muscle development and repair relies on the precise control of Wnt signaling. Dact1 (Dapper/Frodo) is an important modulator of Wnt signaling, interacting with key components of the various Wnt transduction pathways. Here, we characterized Dact1 mRNA and protein expression in chicken and mouse fetal muscles in vivo and during the differentiation of chick primary and mouse C2C12 myoblasts in vitro. We also performed in silico analysis to investigate Dact1 gene expression in human myopathies, and evaluated the Dact1 protein structure to seek an explanation for the accumulation of Dact1 protein aggregates in the nuclei of myogenic cells. Our results show for the first time that in both chicken and mouse, Dact1 is expressed during myogenesis, with a strong upregulation as cells engage in terminal differentiation, cell cycle withdrawal and cell fusion. In humans, Dact1 expression was found to be altered in specific muscle pathologies, including muscular dystrophies. Our bioinformatic analyses of Dact1 proteins revealed long intrinsically disordered regions, which may underpin the ability of Dact1 to interact with its many partners in the various Wnt pathways. In addition, we found that Dact1 has strong propensity for liquid-liquid phase separation, a feature that explains its ability to form nuclear aggregates and points to a possible role as a molecular 'on'-'off' switch. Taken together, our data suggest Dact1 as a candidate, multi-faceted regulator of amniote myogenesis with a possible pathophysiological role in human muscular diseases.
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11
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Chen A, Song J, Acke FRE, Mei L, Cai X, Feng Y, He C. Otological manifestations in branchiootorenal spectrum disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Genet 2021; 100:3-13. [PMID: 33624842 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Branchiootorenal spectrum disorder (BORSD) is a group of rare autosomal dominant entities characterized by branchiogenic malformations, hearing loss (HL) and renal anomalies. It comprises branchiootorenal syndrome and branchiootic syndrome, distinguished by the presence or absence of renal abnormalities. Pathogenic variants have been discovered in the following genes: EYA1, SIX5, SIX1 and SALL1. As the otological phenotype in BORSD is inconsistently reported, we performed a systematic review to provide an up-to-date overview, correlated with the genotype. Forty publications were included, describing 295 individual patients. HL was diagnosed in 95%, usually bilateral and mixed-type, and differed among the different genes involved. Mixed moderate-to-severe HL was the predominant finding in patients with EYA1 involvement, regardless of the presence of renal abnormalities. The sensorineural HL of profound severity was more prevalent in patients with SIX1 mutations. No significant differences among different mutation types or location within the genes could be observed. Structural otological manifestations, ranging from periauricular to inner ear anomalies, were common in both genes. Especially periauricular anomalies were more common and more severe in EYA1. In summary, otological differences among the different genes involved in BORSD are observed, so the molecular analysis is strongly advised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anhai Chen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology Major Disease Research of Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Centre for Geriatric Disorders, Department of Geriatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jian Song
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology Major Disease Research of Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Centre for Geriatric Disorders, Department of Geriatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Frederic R E Acke
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ghent University/Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lingyun Mei
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology Major Disease Research of Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Centre for Geriatric Disorders, Department of Geriatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xinzhang Cai
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology Major Disease Research of Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Centre for Geriatric Disorders, Department of Geriatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yong Feng
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology Major Disease Research of Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Changsha Central Hospital, University of South China, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chufeng He
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology Major Disease Research of Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Centre for Geriatric Disorders, Department of Geriatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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12
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Esposito M, Fang C, Cook KC, Park N, Wei Y, Spadazzi C, Bracha D, Gunaratna RT, Laevsky G, DeCoste CJ, Slabodkin H, Brangwynne CP, Cristea IM, Kang Y. TGF-β-induced DACT1 biomolecular condensates repress Wnt signalling to promote bone metastasis. Nat Cell Biol 2021; 23:257-267. [PMID: 33723425 PMCID: PMC7970447 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-021-00641-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The complexity of intracellular signalling requires both a diversity of molecular players and the sequestration of activity to unique compartments within the cell. Recent findings on the role of liquid-liquid phase separation provide a distinct mechanism for the spatial segregation of proteins to regulate signalling pathway crosstalk. Here, we discover that DACT1 is induced by TGFβ and forms protein condensates in the cytoplasm to repress Wnt signalling. These condensates do not localize to any known organelles but, rather, exist as phase-separated proteinaceous cytoplasmic bodies. The deletion of intrinsically disordered domains within the DACT1 protein eliminates its ability to both form protein condensates and suppress Wnt signalling. Isolation and mass spectrometry analysis of these particles revealed a complex of protein machinery that sequesters casein kinase 2-a Wnt pathway activator. We further demonstrate that DACT1 condensates are maintained in vivo and that DACT1 is critical to breast and prostate cancer bone metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Esposito
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Cao Fang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Katelyn C Cook
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Nana Park
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Yong Wei
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Chiara Spadazzi
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Dan Bracha
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Ramesh T Gunaratna
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Gary Laevsky
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | | | - Hannah Slabodkin
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Clifford P Brangwynne
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Ileana M Cristea
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Yibin Kang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
- Cancer Metabolism and Growth Program, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
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13
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Yang G, Yin Y, Tan Z, Liu J, Deng X, Yang Y. Whole-exome sequencing identified a novel heterozygous mutation of SALL1 and a new homozygous mutation of PTPRQ in a Chinese family with Townes-Brocks syndrome and hearing loss. BMC Med Genomics 2021; 14:24. [PMID: 33478437 PMCID: PMC7819242 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-021-00871-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies have revealed that mutations of Spalt Like Transcription Factor 1 (SALL1) are responsible for Townes-Brocks syndrome (TBS), a rare genetic disorder that is characterized by an imperforate anus, dysplastic ears, thumb malformations and other abnormalities, such as hearing loss, foot malformations, renal impairment with or without renal malformations, genitourinary malformations, and congenital heart disease. In addition, the protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type Q (PTPRQ) gene has been identified in nonsyndromic hearing loss patients with autosomal recessive or autosomal dominant inherited patterns. Methods A Chinese family with TBS and hearing loss was enrolled in this study. The proband was a two-month-old girl who suffered from congenital anal atresia with rectal perineal fistula, ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, pulmonary hypertension (PH), and finger deformities. The proband’s father also had external ear deformity with deafness, toe deformities and PH, although his anus was normal. Further investigation found that the proband’s mother presented nonsyndromic hearing loss, and the proband’s mother’s parents were consanguine married. Whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing were applied to detect the genetic lesions of TBS and nonsyndromic hearing loss. Results Via whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing of the proband and her mother, we identified a novel heterozygous mutation (ENST00000251020: c.1428_1429insT, p. K478QfsX38) of SALL1 in the proband and her father who presented TBS phenotypes, and we also detected a new homozygous mutation [ENST00000266688: c.1057_1057delC, p. L353SfsX8)] of PTPRQ in the proband’s mother and uncle, who suffered from nonsyndromic hearing loss. Both mutations were located in the conserved sites of the respective protein and were predicted to be deleterious by informatics analysis. Conclusions This study confirmed the diagnosis of TBS at the molecular level and expanded the spectrum of SALL1 mutations and PTPRQ mutations. Our study may contribute to the clinical management and genetic counselling of TBS and hearing loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangxian Yang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Hunan Children's Hospital, No. 86 Ziyuan Road, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410007, China.
| | - Yi Yin
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhiping Tan
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jian Liu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Hunan Children's Hospital, No. 86 Ziyuan Road, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410007, China
| | - Xicheng Deng
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Hunan Children's Hospital, No. 86 Ziyuan Road, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410007, China
| | - Yifeng Yang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
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14
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Zhang X, Liu L, Liu Y, Pan X. Case Report: Paternal Uniparental Isodisomy and Heterodisomy of Chromosome 16 With a Normal Phenotype. Front Pediatr 2021; 9:732645. [PMID: 34746057 PMCID: PMC8569901 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.732645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Uniparental disomy (UPD) is a specific type of chromosomal variant that has been detected in both prenatal diagnosis and neonates with advances in molecular genetic testing technologies [mainly chromosome microarray analysis (CMA) technologies containing single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) probes]. In this case, we performed non-invasive prenatal genetic testing (NIPT) to screen fetuses for aneuploidy and detected the presence of aneuploidy chimerism and UPD by CMA, including SNP analysis and whole-exome sequencing, to detect pathogenic variants within the genome. The NIPT results suggested an increased number of fetal chromosome 16, and the CMA results indicated that it was the first case of holistic paternal UPD16 with isodisomy combined with heterodisomy, although no abnormal phenotype was seen in the newborn at postnatal follow-up. The homozygous region of the isodimer combined with the heterodimer is smaller than that of the complete isodimer, and it is less prone to recessive genetic diseases. A retrospective analysis of this case of paternally derived UPD16 was used to explore the uniparental diploid origin of chromosome 16 and to provide some reference for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Zhang
- The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Liu
- The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yang Liu
- The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin Pan
- The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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15
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Cipriani V, Pontikos N, Arno G, Sergouniotis PI, Lenassi E, Thawong P, Danis D, Michaelides M, Webster AR, Moore AT, Robinson PN, Jacobsen JO, Smedley D. An Improved Phenotype-Driven Tool for Rare Mendelian Variant Prioritization: Benchmarking Exomiser on Real Patient Whole-Exome Data. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:E460. [PMID: 32340307 PMCID: PMC7230372 DOI: 10.3390/genes11040460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Next-generation sequencing has revolutionized rare disease diagnostics, but many patients remain without a molecular diagnosis, particularly because many candidate variants usually survive despite strict filtering. Exomiser was launched in 2014 as a Java tool that performs an integrative analysis of patients' sequencing data and their phenotypes encoded with Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) terms. It prioritizes variants by leveraging information on variant frequency, predicted pathogenicity, and gene-phenotype associations derived from human diseases, model organisms, and protein-protein interactions. Early published releases of Exomiser were able to prioritize disease-causative variants as top candidates in up to 97% of simulated whole-exomes. The size of the tested real patient datasets published so far are very limited. Here, we present the latest Exomiser version 12.0.1 with many new features. We assessed the performance using a set of 134 whole-exomes from patients with a range of rare retinal diseases and known molecular diagnosis. Using default settings, Exomiser ranked the correct diagnosed variants as the top candidate in 74% of the dataset and top 5 in 94%; not using the patients' HPO profiles (i.e., variant-only analysis) decreased the performance to 3% and 27%, respectively. In conclusion, Exomiser is an effective support tool for rare Mendelian phenotype-driven variant prioritization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Cipriani
- William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK; (J.O.B.J.); (D.S.)
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK; (N.P.); (G.A.); (M.M.); (A.R.W.); (A.T.M.)
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London EC1V 2PD, UK
- UCL Genetics Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6AA, UK
| | - Nikolas Pontikos
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK; (N.P.); (G.A.); (M.M.); (A.R.W.); (A.T.M.)
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - Gavin Arno
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK; (N.P.); (G.A.); (M.M.); (A.R.W.); (A.T.M.)
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London EC1V 2PD, UK
- North East Thames Regional Genetics Laboratory, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, London WC1N 3BH, UK
| | | | - Eva Lenassi
- Manchester Royal Eye Hospital & University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9WL, UK; (P.I.S.); (E.L.)
| | - Penpitcha Thawong
- Department of Medical Sciences, Medical Genetics Section, National Institute of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand;
| | - Daniel Danis
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT 06032, USA; (D.D.); (P.N.R.)
| | - Michel Michaelides
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK; (N.P.); (G.A.); (M.M.); (A.R.W.); (A.T.M.)
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - Andrew R. Webster
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK; (N.P.); (G.A.); (M.M.); (A.R.W.); (A.T.M.)
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - Anthony T. Moore
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK; (N.P.); (G.A.); (M.M.); (A.R.W.); (A.T.M.)
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London EC1V 2PD, UK
- Ophthalmology Department, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA 94143-0644, USA
| | - Peter N. Robinson
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT 06032, USA; (D.D.); (P.N.R.)
| | - Julius O.B. Jacobsen
- William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK; (J.O.B.J.); (D.S.)
| | - Damian Smedley
- William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK; (J.O.B.J.); (D.S.)
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16
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Capkova P, Santava A, Markova I, Stefekova A, Srovnal J, Staffova K, Durdová V. Haploinsufficiency of BMP4 and OTX2 in the Foetus with an abnormal facial profile detected in the first trimester of pregnancy. Mol Cytogenet 2017; 10:47. [PMID: 29299063 PMCID: PMC5745897 DOI: 10.1186/s13039-017-0351-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Interstitial microdeletion 14q22q23 is a rare chromosomal syndrome associated with variable defects: microphthalmia/anophthalmia, pituitary anomalies, polydactyly/syndactyly of hands and feet, micrognathia/retrognathia. The reports of the microdeletion 14q22q23 detected in the prenatal stages are limited and the range of clinical features reveals a quite high variability. Case presentation We report a detection of the microdeletion 14q22.1q23.1 spanning 7,7 Mb and involving the genes BMP4 and OTX2 in the foetus by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and verified by microarray subsequently. The pregnancy was referred to the genetic counselling for abnormal facial profile observed in the first trimester ultrasound scan and micrognathia (suspicion of Pierre Robin sequence), hypoplasia nasal bone and polydactyly in the second trimester ultrasound scan. The pregnancy was terminated on request of the parents. Conclusion An abnormal facial profile detected on prenatal scan can provide a clue to the presence of rare chromosomal abnormalities in the first trimester of pregnancy despite the normal result of the first trimester screening test. The patients should be provided with genetic counselling. Usage of quick and sensitive methods (MLPA, microarray) is preferable for discovering a causal aberration because some of the CNVs cannot be detected with conventional karyotyping in these cases. To the best of our knowledge, this is the earliest detection of this microdeletion (occurred de novo), the first case detected by MLPA and confirmed by microarray. Literature review of the genotype-phenotype correlation in similar reports leads us to the conclusion that dosage imbalance of the chromosomal segment 14q22q23 (especially haploinsuffiency of the genes BMP4 and OTX2) contributes significantly to orofacial abnormalities. Association of the region with the Pierre Robin sequence appears to be plausible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavlina Capkova
- Department of Medical Genetics, University Hospital Olomouc, I.P.Pavlova 6, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Alena Santava
- Department of Medical Genetics, University Hospital Olomouc, I.P.Pavlova 6, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Ivana Markova
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Andrea Stefekova
- Department of Medical Genetics, University Hospital Olomouc, I.P.Pavlova 6, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Josef Srovnal
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Katerina Staffova
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Durdová
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
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17
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Lake NJ, Webb BD, Stroud DA, Richman TR, Ruzzenente B, Compton AG, Mountford HS, Pulman J, Zangarelli C, Rio M, Boddaert N, Assouline Z, Sherpa MD, Schadt EE, Houten SM, Byrnes J, McCormick EM, Zolkipli-Cunningham Z, Haude K, Zhang Z, Retterer K, Bai R, Calvo SE, Mootha VK, Christodoulou J, Rötig A, Filipovska A, Cristian I, Falk MJ, Metodiev MD, Thorburn DR. Biallelic Mutations in MRPS34 Lead to Instability of the Small Mitoribosomal Subunit and Leigh Syndrome. Am J Hum Genet 2017; 101:239-254. [PMID: 28777931 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2017.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The synthesis of all 13 mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)-encoded protein subunits of the human oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system is carried out by mitochondrial ribosomes (mitoribosomes). Defects in the stability of mitoribosomal proteins or mitoribosome assembly impair mitochondrial protein translation, causing combined OXPHOS enzyme deficiency and clinical disease. Here we report four autosomal-recessive pathogenic mutations in the gene encoding the small mitoribosomal subunit protein, MRPS34, in six subjects from four unrelated families with Leigh syndrome and combined OXPHOS defects. Whole-exome sequencing was used to independently identify all variants. Two splice-site mutations were identified, including homozygous c.321+1G>T in a subject of Italian ancestry and homozygous c.322-10G>A in affected sibling pairs from two unrelated families of Puerto Rican descent. In addition, compound heterozygous MRPS34 mutations were identified in a proband of French ancestry; a missense (c.37G>A [p.Glu13Lys]) and a nonsense (c.94C>T [p.Gln32∗]) variant. We demonstrated that these mutations reduce MRPS34 protein levels and the synthesis of OXPHOS subunits encoded by mtDNA. Examination of the mitoribosome profile and quantitative proteomics showed that the mitochondrial translation defect was caused by destabilization of the small mitoribosomal subunit and impaired monosome assembly. Lentiviral-mediated expression of wild-type MRPS34 rescued the defect in mitochondrial translation observed in skin fibroblasts from affected subjects, confirming the pathogenicity of MRPS34 mutations. Our data establish that MRPS34 is required for normal function of the mitoribosome in humans and furthermore demonstrate the power of quantitative proteomic analysis to identify signatures of defects in specific cellular pathways in fibroblasts from subjects with inherited disease.
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