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Liang JW, Christensen KD, Green RC, Kraft P. Evaluating the utility of multi-gene, multi-disease population-based panel testing accounting for uncertainty in penetrance estimates. NPJ Genom Med 2024; 9:30. [PMID: 38760335 PMCID: PMC11101660 DOI: 10.1038/s41525-024-00414-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Panel germline testing allows for the efficient detection of deleterious variants for multiple conditions, but the benefits and harms of identifying these variants are not always well understood. We present a multi-gene, multi-disease aggregate utility formula that allows the user to consider adding or removing each gene in a panel based on variant frequency, estimated penetrances, and subjective disutilities for testing positive but not developing the disease and testing negative but developing the disease. We provide credible intervals for utility that reflect uncertainty in penetrance estimates. Rare, highly penetrant deleterious variants tend to contribute positive net utilities for a wide variety of user-specified disutilities, even when accounting for parameter estimation uncertainty. However, the clinical utility of deleterious variants with moderate, uncertain penetrance depends more on assumed disutilities. The decision to include a gene on a panel depends on variant frequency, penetrance, and subjective utilities and should account for uncertainties around these factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane W Liang
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Data Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kurt D Christensen
- Center for Healthcare Research in Pediatrics, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Robert C Green
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Mass General Brigham, Boston, MA, USA
- Ariadne Labs, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Peter Kraft
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
- Program in Genetic Epidemiology and Statistical Genetics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
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2
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Busse E, Lee B, Nagamani SCS. Genetic Evaluation for Monogenic Disorders of Low Bone Mass and Increased Bone Fragility: What Clinicians Need to Know. Curr Osteoporos Rep 2024:10.1007/s11914-024-00870-6. [PMID: 38600318 DOI: 10.1007/s11914-024-00870-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The purpose of this review is to outline the principles of clinical genetic testing and to provide practical guidance to clinicians in navigating genetic testing for patients with suspected monogenic forms of osteoporosis. RECENT FINDINGS Heritability assessments and genome-wide association studies have clearly shown the significant contributions of genetic variations to the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. Currently, over 50 monogenic disorders that present primarily with low bone mass and increased risk of fractures have been described. The widespread availability of clinical genetic testing offers a valuable opportunity to correctly diagnose individuals with monogenic forms of osteoporosis, thus instituting appropriate surveillance and treatment. Clinical genetic testing may identify the appropriate diagnosis in a subset of patients with low bone mass, multiple or unusual fractures, and severe or early-onset osteoporosis, and thus clinicians should be aware of how to incorporate such testing into their clinical practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Busse
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Brendan Lee
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
- Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Sandesh C S Nagamani
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
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3
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Kharrat M, Triki C, Ben Isaa A, Bouchaala W, Alila O, Chouchen J, Ghouliya Y, Kamoun F, Tlili A, Fakhfakh F. Expanding the genetic and phenotypic spectrum of TRAPPC9 and MID2-related neurodevelopmental disabilities: report of two novel mutations, 3D-modelling, and molecular docking studies. J Hum Genet 2024:10.1038/s10038-024-01242-9. [PMID: 38467738 DOI: 10.1038/s10038-024-01242-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Intellectual disabilities (ID) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have a variety of etiologies, including environmental and genetic factors. Our study reports a psychiatric clinical investigation and a molecular analysis using whole exome sequencing (WES) of two siblings with ID and ASD from a consanguineous family. Bioinformatic prediction and molecular docking analysis were also carried out. The two patients were diagnosed with profound intellectual disability, brain malformations such as cortical atrophy, acquired microcephaly, and autism level III. The neurological and neuropsychiatric examination revealed that P2 was more severely affected than P1, as he was unable to walk, presented with dysmorphic feature and exhibited self and hetero aggressive behaviors. The molecular investigations revealed a novel TRAPPC9 biallelic nonsense mutation (c.2920 C > T, p.R974X) in the two siblings. The more severely affected patient (P2) presented, along with the TRAPPC9 variant, a new missense mutation c.166 C > T (p.R56C) in the MID2 gene at hemizygous state, while his sister P1 was merely a carrier. The 3D modelling and molecular docking analysis revealed that c.166 C > T variant could affect the ability of MID2 binding to Astrin, leading to dysregulation of microtubule dynamics and causing morphological abnormalities in the brain. As our knowledge, the MID2 mutation (p.R56C) is the first one to be detected in Tunisia and causing phenotypic variability between the siblings. We extend the genetic and clinical spectrum of TRAPPC9 and MID2 mutations and highlights the possible concomitant presence of X-linked as well as autosomal recessive inheritance to causing ID, microcephaly, and autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwa Kharrat
- Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Genetics, Faculty of Sciences of Sfax University, Sfax, Tunisia.
| | - Chahnez Triki
- Child Neurology Department, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia
- Research laboratory (LR19ES15), Sfax Medical School, Sfax University, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Abir Ben Isaa
- Child Neurology Department, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia
- Research laboratory (LR19ES15), Sfax Medical School, Sfax University, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Wafa Bouchaala
- Child Neurology Department, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia
- Research laboratory (LR19ES15), Sfax Medical School, Sfax University, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Olfa Alila
- Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Genetics, Faculty of Sciences of Sfax University, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Jihen Chouchen
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Yosra Ghouliya
- Child Neurology Department, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia
- Research laboratory (LR19ES15), Sfax Medical School, Sfax University, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Fatma Kamoun
- Child Neurology Department, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia
- Research laboratory (LR19ES15), Sfax Medical School, Sfax University, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Abdelaziz Tlili
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Faiza Fakhfakh
- Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Genetics, Faculty of Sciences of Sfax University, Sfax, Tunisia.
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4
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Hadjipanteli A, Theodosiou A, Papaevripidou I, Evangelidou P, Alexandrou A, Salameh N, Kallikas I, Kakoullis K, Frakala S, Oxinou C, Marnerides A, Kousoulidou L, Anastasiadou VC, Sismani C. Sodium Channel Gene Variants in Fetuses with Abnormal Sonographic Findings: Expanding the Prenatal Phenotypic Spectrum of Sodium Channelopathies. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:119. [PMID: 38255008 PMCID: PMC10815715 DOI: 10.3390/genes15010119] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) are responsible for the initiation and propagation of action potentials in the brain and muscle. Pathogenic variants in genes encoding VGSCs have been associated with severe disorders including epileptic encephalopathies and congenital myopathies. In this study, we identified pathogenic variants in genes encoding the α subunit of VGSCs in the fetuses of two unrelated families with the use of trio-based whole exome sequencing, as part of a larger cohort study. Sanger sequencing was performed for variant confirmation as well as parental phasing. The fetus of the first family carried a known de novo heterozygous missense variant in the SCN2A gene (NM_001040143.2:c.751G>A p.(Val251Ile)) and presented intrauterine growth retardation, hand clenching and ventriculomegaly. Neonatally, the proband also exhibited refractory epilepsy, spasms and MRI abnormalities. The fetus of the second family was a compound heterozygote for two parentally inherited novel missense variants in the SCN4A gene (NM_000334.4:c.4340T>C, p.(Phe1447Ser), NM_000334.4:c.3798G>C, p.(Glu1266Asp)) and presented a severe prenatal phenotype including talipes, fetal hypokinesia, hypoplastic lungs, polyhydramnios, ear abnormalities and others. Both probands died soon after birth. In a subsequent pregnancy of the latter family, the fetus was also a compound heterozygote for the same parentally inherited variants. This pregnancy was terminated due to multiple ultrasound abnormalities similar to the first pregnancy. Our results suggest a potentially crucial role of the VGSC gene family in fetal development and early lethality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Hadjipanteli
- The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Cytogenetics and Genomics, 2371 Nicosia, Cyprus; (A.H.)
| | - Athina Theodosiou
- The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Cytogenetics and Genomics, 2371 Nicosia, Cyprus; (A.H.)
| | - Ioannis Papaevripidou
- The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Cytogenetics and Genomics, 2371 Nicosia, Cyprus; (A.H.)
| | - Paola Evangelidou
- The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Cytogenetics and Genomics, 2371 Nicosia, Cyprus; (A.H.)
| | - Angelos Alexandrou
- The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Cytogenetics and Genomics, 2371 Nicosia, Cyprus; (A.H.)
| | - Nicole Salameh
- The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Cytogenetics and Genomics, 2371 Nicosia, Cyprus; (A.H.)
| | | | | | | | - Christina Oxinou
- Christina Oxinou Histopathology/Cytology Laboratory, 1065 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | | | - Ludmila Kousoulidou
- The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Cytogenetics and Genomics, 2371 Nicosia, Cyprus; (A.H.)
| | | | - Carolina Sismani
- The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Cytogenetics and Genomics, 2371 Nicosia, Cyprus; (A.H.)
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5
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Polavarapu K, Sunitha B, Töpf A, Preethish-Kumar V, Thompson R, Vengalil S, Nashi S, Bardhan M, Sanka SB, Huddar A, Unnikrishnan G, Arunachal G, Girija MS, Porter A, Azuma Y, Lorenzoni PJ, Baskar D, Anjanappa RM, Keertipriya M, Padmanabh H, Harikrishna GV, Laurie S, Matalonga L, Horvath R, Nalini A, Lochmüller H. Clinical and genetic characterisation of a large Indian congenital myasthenic syndrome cohort. Brain 2024; 147:281-296. [PMID: 37721175 PMCID: PMC10766255 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) are a rare group of inherited disorders caused by gene defects associated with the neuromuscular junction and potentially treatable with commonly available medications such as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and β2 adrenergic receptor agonists. In this study, we identified and genetically characterized the largest cohort of CMS patients from India to date. Genetic testing of clinically suspected patients evaluated in a South Indian hospital during the period 2014-19 was carried out by standard diagnostic gene panel testing or using a two-step method that included hotspot screening followed by whole-exome sequencing. In total, 156 genetically diagnosed patients (141 families) were characterized and the mutational spectrum and genotype-phenotype correlation described. Overall, 87 males and 69 females were evaluated, with the age of onset ranging from congenital to fourth decade (mean 6.6 ± 9.8 years). The mean age at diagnosis was 19 ± 12.8 (1-56 years), with a mean diagnostic delay of 12.5 ± 9.9 (0-49 years). Disease-causing variants in 17 CMS-associated genes were identified in 132 families (93.6%), while in nine families (6.4%), variants in genes not associated with CMS were found. Overall, postsynaptic defects were most common (62.4%), followed by glycosylation defects (21.3%), synaptic basal lamina genes (4.3%) and presynaptic defects (2.8%). Other genes found to cause neuromuscular junction defects (DES, TEFM) in our cohort accounted for 2.8%. Among the individual CMS genes, the most commonly affected gene was CHRNE (39.4%), followed by DOK7 (14.4%), DPAGT1 (9.8%), GFPT1 (7.6%), MUSK (6.1%), GMPPB (5.3%) and COLQ (4.5%). We identified 22 recurrent variants in this study, out of which eight were found to be geographically specific to the Indian subcontinent. Apart from the known common CHRNE variants p.E443Kfs*64 (11.4%) and DOK7 p.A378Sfs*30 (9.3%), we identified seven novel recurrent variants specific to this cohort, including DPAGT1 p.T380I and DES c.1023+5G>A, for which founder haplotypes are suspected. This study highlights the geographic differences in the frequencies of various causative CMS genes and underlines the increasing significance of glycosylation genes (DPAGT1, GFPT1 and GMPPB) as a cause of neuromuscular junction defects. Myopathy and muscular dystrophy genes such as GMPPB and DES, presenting as gradually progressive limb girdle CMS, expand the phenotypic spectrum. The novel genes MACF1 and TEFM identified in this cohort add to the expanding list of genes with new mechanisms causing neuromuscular junction defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Polavarapu
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore 560029, India
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1, Canada
| | - Balaraju Sunitha
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ, UK
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge CB2 0SP, UK
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Ana Töpf
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Veeramani Preethish-Kumar
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore 560029, India
- Department of Neurology, Neurofoundation, Salem, Tamil Nadu 636009, India
| | - Rachel Thompson
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1, Canada
| | - Seena Vengalil
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore 560029, India
| | - Saraswati Nashi
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore 560029, India
| | - Mainak Bardhan
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore 560029, India
| | - Sai Bhargava Sanka
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore 560029, India
| | - Akshata Huddar
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore 560029, India
- Department of Neurology, St Johns Medical College Hospital, Bangalore 560034, India
| | - Gopikrishnan Unnikrishnan
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore 560029, India
- Department of Neurology, Amruta Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi 682041, India
| | - Gautham Arunachal
- Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru 560029, India
| | - Manu Santhappan Girija
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore 560029, India
| | - Anna Porter
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Yoshiteru Azuma
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Paulo José Lorenzoni
- Neuromuscular Disorders Division, Service of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Rua General Carneiro, Curitiba - PR 80060-900, Brazil
| | - Dipti Baskar
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore 560029, India
| | - Ram Murthy Anjanappa
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore 560029, India
| | - Madassu Keertipriya
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore 560029, India
| | - Hansashree Padmanabh
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore 560029, India
| | | | - Steve Laurie
- Centro Nacional de Análisis Genómico (CNAG-CRG), Center for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Catalonia 08028, Spain
| | - Leslie Matalonga
- Centro Nacional de Análisis Genómico (CNAG-CRG), Center for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Catalonia 08028, Spain
| | - Rita Horvath
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge CB2 0SP, UK
| | - Atchayaram Nalini
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore 560029, India
| | - Hanns Lochmüller
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1, Canada
- Centro Nacional de Análisis Genómico (CNAG-CRG), Center for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Catalonia 08028, Spain
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Medical Center–University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg 79110, Germany
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6
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Schuler BA, Mosera M, Hatch LD, Grochowsky A, Wheeler F. Collaborative efforts to improve genetic testing in the neonatal intensive care unit. J Perinatol 2023; 43:1500-1505. [PMID: 37914812 DOI: 10.1038/s41372-023-01817-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To reduce unnecessary simultaneous karyotype analysis and chromosomal microarray (CMA) testing in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). STUDY DESIGN This quality improvement study investigated the effect of collaborative efforts between the NICU, cytogenetics, and clinical genetics on numbers of genetic tests, rates of abnormal tests, and number of genetics consults comparing baseline and 5-month intervention periods. RESULTS Simultaneous karyotype analyses and CMAs decreased due to a decrease in karyotype testing (11.3% [68/600] vs. 0.98% [6/614], p < 0.01). Karyotype analyses were more likely to be abnormal (13.8% [12/87] vs. 64.0% [16/25], p < 0.01). Frequency of genetics consultation did not change (7.0% [42/600] vs. 9.4% [58/614], p = 0.12). CONCLUSION Collaborative efforts between the NICU, cytogenetics, and clinical genetics decreased redundant genetic testing, which demonstrated potential cost savings to our institution. Ongoing collaborative efforts could facilitate genetic testing practices in the NICU that readily evolve in tandem with genetic testing recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryce A Schuler
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Mackenzie Mosera
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - L Dupree Hatch
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Angela Grochowsky
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Ferrin Wheeler
- Department of Pathology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
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7
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Grigalionienė K, Burnytė B, Ambrozaitytė L, Utkus A. Wide diagnostic and genotypic spectrum in patients with suspected mitochondrial disease. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2023; 18:307. [PMID: 37784170 PMCID: PMC10544509 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-023-02921-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mitochondrial Diseases (MDs) are a diverse group of neurometabolic disorders characterized by impaired mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and caused by pathogenic variants in more than 400 genes. The implementation of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies helps to increase the understanding of molecular basis and diagnostic yield of these conditions. The purpose of the study was to investigate diagnostic and genotypic spectrum in patients with suspected MD. The comprehensive analysis of mtDNA variants using Sanger sequencing was performed in the group of 83 unrelated individuals with clinically suspected mitochondrial disease. Additionally, targeted next generation sequencing or whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed for 30 patients of the study group. RESULTS The overall diagnostic rate was 21.7% for the patients with suspected MD, increasing to 36.7% in the group of patients where NGS methods were applied. Mitochondrial disease was confirmed in 11 patients (13.3%), including few classical mitochondrial syndromes (MELAS, MERRF, Leigh and Kearns-Sayre syndrome) caused by pathogenic mtDNA variants (8.4%) and MDs caused by pathogenic variants in five nDNA genes. Other neuromuscular diseases caused by pathogenic variants in seven nDNA genes, were confirmed in seven patients (23.3%). CONCLUSION The wide spectrum of identified rare mitochondrial or neurodevelopmental diseases proves that MD suspected patients would mostly benefit from an extensive genetic profiling allowing rapid diagnostics and improving the care of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Grigalionienė
- Department of Human and Medical Genetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Santariškių Str. 2, Vilnius, LT-08661, Lithuania.
| | - Birutė Burnytė
- Department of Human and Medical Genetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Santariškių Str. 2, Vilnius, LT-08661, Lithuania
| | - Laima Ambrozaitytė
- Department of Human and Medical Genetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Santariškių Str. 2, Vilnius, LT-08661, Lithuania
| | - Algirdas Utkus
- Department of Human and Medical Genetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Santariškių Str. 2, Vilnius, LT-08661, Lithuania
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8
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Kharrat M, Issa AB, Tlili A, Jallouli O, Alila-Fersi O, Maalej M, Chouchen J, Ghouylia Y, Kamoun F, Triki C, Fakhfakh F. A Novel Mutation in the MAP7D3 Gene in Two Siblings with Severe Intellectual Disability and Autistic Traits: Concurrent Assessment of BDNF Functional Polymorphism, X-Inactivation and Oxidative Stress to Explain Disease Severity. J Mol Neurosci 2023; 73:853-864. [PMID: 37817054 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-023-02163-6] [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: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
Intellectual disabilities (ID) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by extreme genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity. However, understanding this heterogeneity is difficult due to the intricate interplay among multiple interconnected genes, epigenetic factors, oxidative stress, and environmental factors. Employing next-generation sequencing (NGS), we revealed the genetic cause of ID and autistic traits in two patients from a consanguineous family followed by segregation analysis. Furthermore, in silico prediction methods and 3D modeling were conducted to predict the effect of the variants. To establish genotype-phenotype correlation, X-chromosome inactivation using Methylation-specific PCR and oxidative stress markers were also investigated. By analyzing the NGS data of the two patients, we identified a novel frameshift mutation c.2174_2177del (p.Thr725MetfsTer2) in the MAP7D3 gene inherited from their mother along with the functional BDNF Val66Met polymorphism inherited from their father. The 3D modeling demonstrated that the p.Thr725MetfsTer2 variant led to the loss of the C-terminal tail of the MAP7D3 protein. This change could destabilize its structure and impact kinesin-1's binding to microtubules via an allosteric effect. Moreover, the analysis of oxidative stress biomarkers revealed an elevated oxidative stress in the two patients compared to the controls. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing severe ID and autistic traits in familial cases with novel frameshift mutation c.2174_2177del in the MAP7D3 gene co-occurring with the functional polymorphism Val66M in the BDNF gene. Besides, our study underlines the importance of investigating combined genetic variations, X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) patterns, and oxidative stress markers for a better understanding of ID and autism etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwa Kharrat
- Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Genetics, Faculty of Science of Sfax University, Sfax, Tunisia.
| | - Abir Ben Issa
- Child Neurology Department, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia
- Research Laboratory (LR19ES15), Sfax Medical School, Sfax University, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Abdelaziz Tlili
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Olfa Jallouli
- Child Neurology Department, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia
- Research Laboratory (LR19ES15), Sfax Medical School, Sfax University, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Olfa Alila-Fersi
- Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Genetics, Faculty of Science of Sfax University, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Marwa Maalej
- Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Genetics, Faculty of Science of Sfax University, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Jihen Chouchen
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Yosra Ghouylia
- Child Neurology Department, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia
- Research Laboratory (LR19ES15), Sfax Medical School, Sfax University, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Fatma Kamoun
- Child Neurology Department, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia
- Research Laboratory (LR19ES15), Sfax Medical School, Sfax University, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Chahnez Triki
- Child Neurology Department, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia
- Research Laboratory (LR19ES15), Sfax Medical School, Sfax University, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Faiza Fakhfakh
- Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Genetics, Faculty of Science of Sfax University, Sfax, Tunisia.
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Lauretta ML, Jarmolowicz A, Amor DJ, Best S, Morgan AT. An Investigation of Barriers and Enablers for Genetics in Speech-Language Pathology Explored Through a Case Study of Childhood Apraxia of Speech. JOURNAL OF SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND HEARING RESEARCH : JSLHR 2023:1-15. [PMID: 37713535 DOI: 10.1044/2023_jslhr-22-00714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Advancements in genetic testing and analysis have allowed improved identification of the genetic basis of childhood apraxia of speech, a rare speech presentation. This study aimed to understand speech-language pathologists' (SLPs') consideration of incorporation of genetics in clinical practice using a theory-informed qualitative approach. METHOD Semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 pediatric SLPs using a behavior change theory (Theoretical Domains Framework [TDF]) within a case study describing a child with complex co-occurring features, including childhood apraxia of speech. Interviews focused on three stages of the patient journey (prereferral, referral, and postreferral). Interviews were analyzed to identify barriers and enablers to considering incorporation of genetics in current clinical practice. Barriers and enablers were grouped and mapped onto a contextually relevant TDF-coded analysis framework. RESULTS Barriers were identified across several TDF domains, through all stages of the patient journey. Lack of confidence, relevance, and level of experience were most common prereferral, and connection to and awareness of genetics services and contextual factors were barriers in the referral stage. Perception of professional role, knowledge, and beliefs about effects on families were barriers postreferral. Associated enablers were also identified, including seeing value in genetic diagnosis, support from other health care professionals, supervision, and relationships with genetics services. CONCLUSIONS Results of this qualitative study highlight barriers and enablers to incorporating genetics into speech-language pathology clinical practice. These findings will assist in the development of theory-informed implementation strategies to support SLPs into the future. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.24112800.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Jarmolowicz
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - David J Amor
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stephanie Best
- Australian Genomics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Health Services Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Alliance, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Angela T Morgan
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia
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Chen L, Yuan L, Yang J, Pan Y, Wang H. Identification of key immune-related genes associated with LPS/D-GalN-induced acute liver failure in mice based on transcriptome sequencing. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15241. [PMID: 37168540 PMCID: PMC10166078 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The aim of this study was to identify key immune-related genes in acute liver failure (ALF) by constructing an ALF mouse model for transcriptome sequencing. Methods The C57BL/6 mouse with ALF model was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/ D-galactosamine (D-GalN). After successful modelling, the liver tissues of all mice were obtained for transcriptome sequencing. The key immune-related genes in mice with ALF were identified by differential expression analysis, immune infiltration analysis, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), enrichment analysis, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis. Results An LPS/D-GalN-induced ALF mouse model was successfully constructed, and transcriptome sequencing was performed. Significant differences in the proportions of monocytes, macrophages M0, macrophages M1 and neutrophils were shown by immune infiltration analysis, and 5255 genes highly associated with these four immune cells were identified by WGCNA. These immune genes were found to be significantly enriched in the TNF signalling pathway by enrichment analysis. Finally, PPI analysis was performed on genes enriched in this pathway and three key genes (CXCL1, CXCL10 and IL1B) were screened out and revealed to be significantly upregulated in ALF. Conclusions Key immune-related genes in ALF were identified in this study, which may provide not only potential therapeutic targets for treating ALF and improving its prognosis, but also a reliable scientific basis for the immunotherapy of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Chen
- Department of Infectious Disease, Zhejiang Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Li Yuan
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jingle Yang
- Department of Infectious Disease, Zhejiang Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yizhi Pan
- Department of Infectious Disease, Zhejiang Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Department of Infectious Disease, Zhejiang Hospital, Hangzhou, China
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Five years' experience of the clinical exome sequencing in a Spanish single center. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19209. [PMID: 36357507 PMCID: PMC9649665 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23786-6] [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: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, exome sequencing is a robust and cost-efficient genetic diagnostic tool already implemented in many clinical laboratories. Despite it has undoubtedly improved our diagnostic capacity and has allowed the discovery of many new Mendelian-disease genes, it only provides a molecular diagnosis in up to 25-30% of cases. Here, we comprehensively evaluate the results of a large sample set of 4974 clinical exomes performed in our laboratory over a period of 5 years, showing a global diagnostic rate of 24.62% (1391/4974). For the evaluation we establish different groups of diseases and demonstrate how the diagnostic rate is not only dependent on the analyzed group of diseases (43.12% in ophthalmological cases vs 16.61% in neurological cases) but on the specific disorder (47.49% in retinal dystrophies vs 24.02% in optic atrophy; 18.88% in neuropathies/paraparesias vs 11.43% in dementias). We also detail the most frequent mutated genes within each group of disorders and discuss, on our experience, further investigations and directions needed for the benefit of patients.
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Turvey AK, Horvath GA, Cavalcanti ARO. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases in human health and disease. Front Physiol 2022; 13:1029218. [PMID: 36330207 PMCID: PMC9623071 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.1029218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases (aaRSs) are an evolutionarily ancient family of enzymes that catalyze the esterification reaction linking a transfer RNA (tRNA) with its cognate amino acid matching the anticodon triplet of the tRNA. Proper functioning of the aaRSs to create aminoacylated (or “charged”) tRNAs is required for efficient and accurate protein synthesis. Beyond their basic canonical function in protein biosynthesis, aaRSs have a surprisingly diverse array of non-canonical functions that are actively being defined. The human genome contains 37 genes that encode unique aaRS proteins. To date, 56 human genetic diseases caused by damaging variants in aaRS genes have been described: 46 are autosomal recessive biallelic disorders and 10 are autosomal dominant monoallelic disorders. Our appreciation of human diseases caused by damaging genetic variants in the aaRSs has been greatly accelerated by the advent of next-generation sequencing, with 89% of these gene discoveries made since 2010. In addition to these genetic disorders of the aaRSs, anti-synthetase syndrome (ASSD) is a rare autoimmune inflammatory myopathy that involves the production of autoantibodies that disrupt aaRS proteins. This review provides an overview of the basic biology of aaRS proteins and describes the rapidly growing list of human diseases known to be caused by genetic variants or autoimmune targeting that affect both the canonical and non-canonical functions of these essential proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra K. Turvey
- Department of Biology, Pomona College, Claremont, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Alexandra K. Turvey,
| | - Gabriella A. Horvath
- Division of Biochemical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Adult Metabolic Diseases Clinic, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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