Frameshift mutations in the insulin gene leading to prolonged molecule of insulin in two families with Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young

Maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 10 caused by an Ala2Thr mutation of INS: A case report

BACKGROUND

Maturity-onset diabetes of the young 10 caused by the c.4G>A (p.Ala2Thr) mutation is extremely rare, with only two reported studies to date. Herein, we report another case that differs from previous cases in phenotype.

CASE SUMMARY

The proband developed diabetes at the age of 27 years, despite having a normal body mass index (BMI). She exhibited partial impairment of islet function, tested positive for islet antibodies, and required high doses of insulin. Her sister also carried the c.4G>A (p.Ala2Thr) mutation, and their mother was strongly suspected to carry the mutated gene. Her sister developed diabetes around 40 years of age and required high doses of insulin, while the mother was diagnosed in her 20s and was managed with oral hypoglycemic agents; neither of them were obese.

CONCLUSION

p.Ala2Thr mutation carriers often experience relatively later onset and normal BMI. Treatment regimens vary between individuals.

Incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity in monogenic diabetes; a challenge but also an opportunity

Monogenic Forms of Diabetes (MFD) account for about 3% of all diabetes, and their accurate diagnosis often results in life-changing therapeutic reassignment for the patients. Like other Mendelian diseases, reduced penetrance and variable expressivity are often seen in several different types of MFD, where symptoms develop only in a portion of the persons who carry the pathogenic variant or vary widely in symptom severity and age of onset. This complicates diagnosis and disease management in MFD. In addition to its clinical importance, knowledge of genetic modifiers that confer penetrance and expressivity variability opens possibilities to identify protective genetic variants which may help probe the mechanisms of more common forms of diabetes and shed light in new therapeutic strategies. In this review, we will mainly address penetrance and expressivity variation in different types of MFD, factors that confer such variations and opportunities that come with such knowledge. Related literature was searched in PubMed, Medline and Embase. Papers with publication year from 1974 to 2023 are included. Data are either sourced from literatures or from OMIM, Clinvar and 1000 genome browser.

A Review of the Biosynthesis and Structural Implications of Insulin Gene Mutations Linked to Human Disease

The discovery of the insulin hormone over 100 years ago, and its subsequent therapeutic application, marked a key landmark in the history of medicine and medical research. The many roles insulin plays in cell metabolism and growth have been revealed by extensive investigations into the structure and function of insulin, the insulin tyrosine kinase receptor (IR), as well as the signalling cascades, which occur upon insulin binding to the IR. In this review, the insulin gene mutations identified as causing disease and the structural implications of these mutations will be discussed. Over 100 studies were evaluated by one reviewing author, and over 70 insulin gene mutations were identified. Mutations may impair insulin gene transcription and translation, preproinsulin trafficking and proinsulin sorting, or insulin-IR interactions. A better understanding of insulin gene mutations and the resultant pathophysiology can give essential insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying impaired insulin biosynthesis and insulin-IR interaction.

Two siblings with a rare type of maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY)

Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is a type of diabetes that does not entirely fit the usually encountered type 1 or type 2 diabetes. It is a monogenic, familial and non-autoimmune diabetes among children and young adults resulting from autosomal dominant gene mutations.MODY diagnosis is confirmed by molecular genetic testing, which is costly. Therefore, it is rarely done.Nearly 1%-6% of diabetes has a monogenic cause but this is frequently misclassified as type 1 diabetes mellitus due to the lack of genetic testing. Therefore, a correct diagnosis of MODY is crucial for determining the plan of management. Furthermore, having a patient with MODY in a family indicates screening other family members. In this case report, we highlight that paediatric diabetes cases are not always type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus since two siblings incidentally presented with hyperglycaemia and a confirmed diagnosis of MODY type 10 was ultimately made. Moreover, their mother who was previously labelled as a case of type 1 diabetes mellitus was diagnosed later as MODY after genetic testing.

Genetic Etiology of Neonatal Diabetes Mellitus in Vietnamese Infants and Characteristics of Those With INS Gene Mutations

BACKGROUND

Neonatal diabetes mellitus (NDM) is a rare (1:90,000 newborns) but potentially devastating metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia combined with low levels of insulin. Dominantly-acting insulin (INS) gene mutations cause permanent NDM through single amino acid changes in the protein sequence leading to protein misfolding, which is retained within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), causing ER stress and β-cell apoptosis. Over 90 dominantly-acting INS gene mutations have been identified in individuals with permanent NDM.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included 70 infants diagnosed with NDM in the first year of life between May 2008 and May 2021 at the Vietnam National Children's Hospital. Sequencing analysis of all the genes known to cause NDM was performed at the Exeter Genomic Laboratory, UK. Clinical characteristics, molecular genetics, and annual data relating to glycemic control (HbA1c) and severe hypoglycemia of those with INS mutations were collected. The main outcomes of interest were HbA1c, daily insulin dose, growth, and cognitive/motor development.

RESULTS

Fifty-five of 70 infants (78.5%) with NDM harbored a mutation in a known disease-causing gene and of these, 10 had six different de novo heterozygous INS mutations. Mean gestational age was 38.1 ± 2.5 weeks and mean birth weight was 2.8 ± 0.5 g. They presented with NDM at 20 ± 17 weeks of age; 6/10 had diabetic ketoacidosis with pH 7.13 ± 0.26; plasma glucose level 32.6 ± 14.3 mmol/l and HbA1C 81 ± 15% mmol/mol. After 5.5 ± 4.8 years of insulin treatment, 9/10 have normal development with a developmental quotient of 80-100% and HbA1C 64 ± 7.3 mmol/mol, 9/10 have normal height, weight, and BMI on follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

We report a series of Vietnamese NDM cases with dominant INS mutations. INS mutations are the third commonest cause of permanent NDM. We recommend screening of the INS gene in all children diagnosed with diabetes in the first year of life.

In celebration of a century with insulin - Update of insulin gene mutations in diabetes

Background

While insulin has been central to the pathophysiology and treatment of patients with diabetes for the last 100 years, it has only been since 2007 that genetic variation in the INS gene has been recognised as a major cause of monogenic diabetes. Both dominant and recessive mutations in the INS gene are now recognised as important causes of neonatal diabetes and offer important insights into both the structure and function of insulin. It is also recognised that in rare cases, mutations in the INS gene can be found in patients with diabetes diagnosed outside the first year of life.

Scope of Review

This review examines the genetics and clinical features of monogenic diabetes resulting from INS gene mutations from the first description in 2007 and includes information from 389 patients from 292 families diagnosed in Exeter with INS gene mutations. We discuss the implications for diagnosing and treating this subtype of monogenic diabetes.

Major Conclusions

The dominant mutations in the INS gene typically affect the secondary structure of the insulin protein, usually by disrupting the 3 disulfide bonds in mature insulin. The resulting misfolded protein results in ER stress and beta-cell destruction. In contrast, recessive INS gene mutations typically result in no functional protein being produced due to reduced insulin biosynthesis or loss-of-function mutations in the insulin protein. There are clinical differences between the two genetic aetiologies, between the specific mutations, and within patients with identical mutations.

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Dominant and recessive mutations in the insulin (INS) gene are important causes of neonatal diabetes.

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Associated phenotypes are variable in terms of age at diabetes onset, birth weight and treatment requirements.

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Dominant mutations affect the secondary structure of the insulin protein, resulting in beta-cell ER stress and destruction.

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Recessive mutations result in reduced insulin biosynthesis or loss-of-function mutations of the insulin protein.

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The studies of these forms of diabetes offer important insights into the structure, biosynthesis and secretion of insulin.

Clinical features, complications and treatment of rarer forms of maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) - A review

Maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is the most common form of monogenic diabetes and is currently believed to have 14 subtypes. While much is known about the common subtypes of MODY (MODY-1, 2, 3 and 5) little is known about its rare subtypes (MODY4, 6-14). With the advent of next-generation sequencing (NGS) there are several reports of the rarer subtypes of MODY emerging from across the world. Therefore, a greater understanding on these rarer subtypes is needed. A search strategy was created, and common databases were searched, and 51 articles finally selected. INS-(MODY10) and ABCC8-(MODY12) mutations were reported in relatively large numbers compared to the other rare subtypes. The clinical characteristics of the rare MODY subtypes exhibited heterogeneity between families reported with the same mutation. Obesity and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) were also reported among rarer MODY subtypes which presents as a challenge as these are not part of the original description of MODY by Tattersal and Fajans. The treatment modalities of the rarer subtypes included oral drugs, predominantly sulfonylureas, insulin but also diet alone. Newer drugs like DPP-4 and SGLT2 inhibitors have also been tried as new modes of treatment. The microvascular and macrovascular complications among the patients with various MODY subtypes are less commonly reported. Recently, there is a view that not all the 14 forms of 'MODY' are true MODY and the very existence of some of these rarer subtypes as MODY has been questioned. This scoping review aims to report on the clinical characteristics, treatment and complications of the rarer MODY subtypes published in the literature.

Identification of Ala2Thr mutation in insulin gene from a Chinese MODY10 family

More than 80% of maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) in Chinese is genetically unexplained. To investigate whether the insulin gene (INS) mutation is responsible for some Chinese MODY, we screened INS mutations causing MODY10 in MODY pedigrees and explored the potential pathogenic mechanisms. INS mutations were screened in 56 MODY familial probands. Structure-function characterization and clinical profiling of identified INS mutations were conducted. An INS mutation, at the position 2 alanine-to-threonine substitution (A2T), was identified and co-segregated with hyperglycemia in a MODY pedigree. The A2T mutation converted an α-helix into a β-sheet at the N-terminal of the signal peptide (SP) of preproinsulin. The A2T mutation did not affect preproinsulin translocation across endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane, but impaired its SP cleavage within the ER. In INS-1 cells transfected with an A2T mutant, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) was significantly decreased, while BiP luciferase activities were significantly increased compared to that of wild type (WT). We identified an INS-A2T mutation cosegregating with diabetes in a Chinese MODY pedigree. This mutation severely impaired SP cleavage and thus blocked the formation of proinsulin, resulting in enhanced ER stress, which may be responsible for decreased insulin secretion and subsequently, the onset of MODY10.

Identification of a variant associated with early-onset diabetes in the intron of the insulin gene with exome sequencing

Whole-exome sequencing is a new technology. We used it to explore the gene responsible for early-onset diabetes as a result of impaired insulin secretion in a family. In the INS gene, we identified the heterozygous c.188-31G>A mutation in the proband - a 43-year-old woman. The mutation was also identified in her two daughters with diabetes, but not in her son or her parents, all of whom did not have diabetes. The substitution was located 31 bp proximal to exon 3 in intron 2. It was predicted to create an ectopic splice site leading to inserting 29 nucleotides of intron 2 as an exonic sequence in the transcript. The mutation has been reported in White families, and the present case is the first report in an Asian person. The present results would help in understanding the role of the mutation in developing diabetes.

Novel frameshift mutation in the insulin (INS) gene in a family with maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY)

Highlights: This study reports a novel frameshift mutation c.212dupG (p.Gly73fs) in the insulin (INS) gene causing maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) 10, one of the rare types of MODY, identified in seven family members. Screening for mutations in identified MODY genes is warranted in patients who require insulin, are negative for autoantibodies but have a family history of diabetes.

Monogenic Forms of Diabetes Mellitus

In addition to the common types of diabetes mellitus, two major monogenic diabetes forms exist. Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) represents a heterogenous group of monogenic, autosomal dominant diseases. MODY accounts for 1-2% of all diabetes cases, and it is not just underdiagnosed but often misdiagnosed to type 1 or type 2 diabetes. More than a dozen MODY genes have been identified to date, and their molecular classification is of great importance in the correct treatment decision and in the judgment of the prognosis. The most prevalent subtypes are HNF1A, GCK, and HNF4A. Genetic testing for MODY has changed recently due to the technological advancements, as contrary to the sequential testing performed in the past, nowadays all MODY genes can be tested simultaneously by next-generation sequencing. The other major group of monogenic diabetes is neonatal diabetes mellitus which can be transient or permanent, and often the diabetes is a part of a syndrome. It is a severe monogenic disease appearing in the first 6 months of life. The hyperglycemia usually requires insulin. There are two forms, permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus (PNDM) and transient neonatal diabetes mellitus (TNDM). In TNDM, the diabetes usually reverts within several months but might relapse later in life. The incidence of NDM is 1:100,000-1:400,000 live births, and PNDM accounts for half of the cases. Most commonly, neonatal diabetes is caused by mutations in KCNJ11 and ABCC8 genes encoding the ATP-dependent potassium channel of the β cell. Neonatal diabetes has experienced a quick and successful transition into the clinical practice since the discovery of the molecular background. In case of both genetic diabetes groups, recent guidelines recommend genetic testing.

Extension of the mutation spectrum of PAX6 from three Chinese congenital aniridia families and identification of male gonadal mosaicism

Background

Congenital aniridia is a severe autosomal dominant binocular developmental disorder, the primary feature of which is congenital absence or hypoplasia of the iris. PAX6 is the main disease‐causing gene of congenital aniridia; inheritance is autosomal dominant. But the current mutations do not fully explain this disorder.

Methods

We investigated the mutation profile of genes related in three Chinese families with congenital aniridia through targeted sequencing technology. And we validated the candidate variants by PCR‐based Sanger sequencing. Different degree impairments of islet function were observed in the patients with aniridia by carbohydrate tolerance butter and insulin release tests in our study.

Results

We identified four novel mutations of PAX6 from three Chinese families with congenital aniridia, which included heterozygous double mutation c.879_880delCA (p.S294Cfs*46) and c.1124C>G (p.P375R) in Family 1 with three patients, heterozygous frameshift mutation c.308delG (p.P103Qfs*21) in Family 2 with one patient, and c.1192delT (p.S398Pfs*126) in Family 3 with two patients. The three frameshift mutations of PAX6 are co‐segregated with the aniridia from controls in the families, but the novel missense mutation is not co‐segregated with the phenotype. The frameshift mutations in Family 1 and Family 2 have effects to truncate the protein, but the frameshift mutation in Family 3 will prolong it. We confirmed the phenomenon of male gonadal mosaicism of PAX6 by the sequencing of two linked novel mutations in Family 1. Most of the patients with isolated aniridia have different degrees of islet damage through related clinical tests.

Conclusion

It is therefore noteworthy that we found different types of pathogenic mutation, which have effects of truncating or prolonging protein leaded by frameshift mutation. Our results of this study extended the pathogenic mutation spectrum of PAX6 for congenital aniridia and demonstrated the male germline chimerism by molecular experiments.

Whole-exome sequencing identifies a novel INS mutation causative of maturity-onset diabetes of the young 10

Monogenic diabetes is often misdiagnosed with type 2 diabetes due to overlapping characteristics. This study aimed to discover novel causative mutations of monogenic diabetes in patients with clinically diagnosed type 2 diabetes and to explore potential molecular mechanisms. Whole-exome sequencing was performed on 31 individuals clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. One novel heterozygous mutation (p.Ala2Thr) in INS was identified. It was further genotyped in an additional case-control population (6523 cases and 4635 controls), and this variant was observed in 0.09% of cases. Intracellular trafficking of insulin proteins was assessed in INS1-E and HEK293T cells. p.Ala2Thr preproinsulin-GFP was markedly retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in INS1-E cells. Activation of the PERK-eIF2α-ATF4, IRE1α-XBP1, and ATF6 pathways as well as upregulated ER chaperones were detected in INS1-E cells transfected with the p.Ala2Thr mutant. In conclusion, we identified a causative mutation in INS responsible for maturity-onset diabetes of the young 10 (MODY10) in a Chinese population and demonstrated that this mutation affected β cell function by inducing ER stress.

MODY in Ukraine: genes, clinical phenotypes and treatment

BACKGROUND

Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) has not been previously studied in Ukraine. We investigated the genetic etiology in a selected cohort of patients with diabetes diagnosed before 18 years of age, and in their family members.

METHODS

Genetic testing of the most prevalent MODY genes (GCK, HNF1A, HNF4A, HNF1B and INS) was undertaken for 36 families (39 affected individuals) by Sanger or targeted next generation sequencing.

RESULTS

A genetic diagnosis of MODY was made in 15/39 affected individuals from 12/36 families (33%). HNF1A and HNF4A MODY were the most common subtypes, accounting for 9/15 of MODY cases. Eight patients with HNF1A or HNF4A MODY and inadequate glycemic control were successfully transferred to sulfonylureas. Median HbA1c decreased from 67 mmol/mol (range 58-69) to 47 mmol/mol (range 43-50) (8.3% [7.5-8.5] to 6.4% [6.1-6.7]) 3 months after transfer (p=0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

Genetic testing identified pathogenic HNF1A and HNF4A variants as the most common cause of MODY in Ukraine. Transfer to sulfonylureas substantially improved the glycemic control of these patients.

In vivo measurement and biological characterisation of the diabetes-associated mutant insulin p.R46Q (GlnB22-insulin)

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Heterozygous mutations in the insulin gene that affect proinsulin biosynthesis and folding are associated with a spectrum of diabetes phenotypes, from permanent neonatal diabetes to MODY. In vivo studies of these mutations may lead to a better understanding of insulin mutation-associated diabetes and point to the best treatment strategy. We studied an 18-year-old woman with MODY heterozygous for the insulin mutation p.R46Q (GlnB22-insulin), measuring the secretion of mutant and wild-type insulin by LC-MS. The clinical study was combined with in vitro studies of the synthesis and secretion of p.R46Q-insulin in rat INS-1 insulinoma cells.

METHODS

We performed a standard 75 g OGTT in the 18-year-old woman and measured plasma glucose and serum insulin (wild-type insulin and GlnB22-insulin), C-peptide, proinsulin, glucagon and amylin. The affinity of GlnB22-insulin was tested on human insulin receptors expressed in baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells. We also examined the subcellular localisation, secretion and impact on cellular stress markers of p.R46Q-insulin in INS-1 cells.

RESULTS

Plasma GlnB22-insulin concentrations were 1.5 times higher than wild-type insulin at all time points during the OGTT. The insulin-receptor affinity of GlnB22-insulin was 57% of that of wild-type insulin. Expression of p.R46Q-insulin in INS-1 cells was associated with decreased insulin secretion, but not induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

The results show that beta cells can process and secrete GlnB22-insulin both in vivo and in vitro. Our combined approach of immunoprecipitation and LC-MS to measure mutant and wild-type insulin may be useful for the study of other mutant insulin proteins. The ability to process and secrete a mutant protein may predict a more benign course of insulin mutation-related diabetes. Diabetes develops when the beta cell is stressed because of increased demand for insulin, as observed in individuals with other insulin mutations that affect the processing of proinsulin to insulin or mutations that reduce the affinity for the insulin receptor.

Monogenic Diabetes: What It Teaches Us on the Common Forms of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

To date, more than 30 genes have been linked to monogenic diabetes. Candidate gene and genome-wide association studies have identified > 50 susceptibility loci for common type 1 diabetes (T1D) and approximately 100 susceptibility loci for type 2 diabetes (T2D). About 1-5% of all cases of diabetes result from single-gene mutations and are called monogenic diabetes. Here, we review the pathophysiological basis of the role of monogenic diabetes genes that have also been found to be associated with common T1D and/or T2D. Variants of approximately one-third of monogenic diabetes genes are associated with T2D, but not T1D. Two of the T2D-associated monogenic diabetes genes-potassium inward-rectifying channel, subfamily J, member 11 (KCNJ11), which controls glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in the β-cell; and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARG), which impacts multiple tissue targets in relation to inflammation and insulin sensitivity-have been developed as major antidiabetic drug targets. Another monogenic diabetes gene, the preproinsulin gene (INS), is unique in that INS mutations can cause hyperinsulinemia, hyperproinsulinemia, neonatal diabetes mellitus, one type of maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY10), and autoantibody-negative T1D. Dominant heterozygous INS mutations are the second most common cause of permanent neonatal diabetes. Moreover, INS gene variants are strongly associated with common T1D (type 1a), but inconsistently with T2D. Variants of the monogenic diabetes gene Gli-similar 3 (GLIS3) are associated with both T1D and T2D. GLIS3 is a key transcription factor in insulin production and β-cell differentiation during embryonic development, which perturbation forms the basis of monogenic diabetes as well as its association with T1D. GLIS3 is also required for compensatory β-cell proliferation in adults; impairment of this function predisposes to T2D. Thus, monogenic forms of diabetes are invaluable "human models" that have contributed to our understanding of the pathophysiological basis of common T1D and T2D.