Structural disruption of genomic regions containing ultraconserved elements is associated with neurodevelopmental phenotypes

AbstractThe development of the human brain and nervous system can be affected by genetic or environmental factors. Here we focus on characterizing the genetic perturbations that accompany and may contribute to neurodevelopmental phenotypes. Specifically, we examine two types of structural variants, namely, copy number variation and balanced chromosome rearrangements, discovered in subjects with neurodevelopmental disorders and related phenotypes. We find that a feature uniting these types of genetic aberrations is a proximity to ultraconserved elements (UCEs), which are sequences that are perfectly conserved between the reference genomes of distantly related species. In particular, while UCEs are generally depleted from copy number variant regions in healthy individuals, they are, on the whole, enriched in genomic regions disrupted by copy number variants or breakpoints of balanced rearrangements in affected individuals. Additionally, while genes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders are enriched in UCEs, this does not account for the excess of UCEs either in copy number variants or close to the breakpoints of balanced rearrangements in affected individuals. Indeed, our data are consistent with some manifestations of neurodevelopmental disorders resulting from a disruption of genome integrity in the vicinity of UCEs.

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HandyCNV: Standardized Summary, Annotation, Comparison, and Visualization of Copy Number Variant, Copy Number Variation Region, and Runs of Homozygosity

Frontiers in Genetics ◽

10.3389/fgene.2021.731355 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Jinghang Zhou ◽

Liyuan Liu ◽

Thomas J. Lopdell ◽

Dorian J. Garrick ◽

Yuangang Shi

Keyword(s):

Copy Number ◽

Copy Number Variants ◽

Copy Number Variant ◽

R Package ◽

Copy Number Variation Region ◽

Runs Of Homozygosity ◽

Number Variation ◽

Genomic Studies ◽

Computing Platforms ◽

Analysis System

Detection of CNVs (copy number variants) and ROH (runs of homozygosity) from SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) genotyping data is often required in genomic studies. The post-analysis of CNV and ROH generally involves many steps, potentially across multiple computing platforms, which requires the researchers to be familiar with many different tools. In order to get around this problem and improve research efficiency, we present an R package that integrates the summarization, annotation, map conversion, comparison and visualization functions involved in studies of CNV and ROH. This one-stop post-analysis system is standardized, comprehensive, reproducible, timesaving, and user-friendly for researchers in humans and most diploid livestock species.

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Gene discovery and functional assessment of rare copy-number variants in neurodevelopmental disorders

10.1101/011510 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

Janani Iyer ◽

Santhosh Girirajan

Keyword(s):

Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽

Copy Number ◽

Molecular Genetic ◽

Copy Number Variants ◽

Fruit Fly ◽

Functional Evaluation ◽

Rare Cnvs ◽

Molecular Genetic Basis ◽

Causal Genes ◽

Genomic Regions

Rare copy-number variants (CNVs) are a significant cause of neurodevelopmental disorders. The sequence architecture of the human genome predisposes certain individuals to deletions and duplications within specific genomic regions. While assessment of individuals with different breakpoints has identified causal genes for certain rare CNVs, deriving gene-phenotype correlations for rare CNVs with similar breakpoints has been challenging. We present a comprehensive review of the literature related to genetic architecture that is predisposed to recurrent rearrangements, and functional evaluation of deletions, duplications, and candidate genes within rare CNV intervals using mouse, zebrafish, and fruit fly models. It is clear that phenotypic assessment and complete genetic evaluation of large cohorts of individuals carrying specific CNVs and functional evaluation using multiple animal models are necessary to understand the molecular genetic basis of neurodevelopmental disorders.

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Rare Pathogenic Copy Number Variation in the 16p11.2 (BP4–BP5) Region Associated with Neurodevelopmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders: A Review of the Literature

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17249253 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (24) ◽

pp. 9253

Author(s):

Natália Oliva-Teles ◽

Maria Chiara de Stefano ◽

Louise Gallagher ◽

Severin Rakic ◽

Paula Jorge ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽

Copy Number ◽

Chromosomal Region ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Copy Number Variants ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Rare Disorders ◽

Number Variation ◽

Malformation Syndromes ◽

Neuropsychiatric Conditions

Copy number variants (CNVs) play an important role in the genetic underpinnings of neuropsychiatric/neurodevelopmental disorders. The chromosomal region 16p11.2 (BP4–BP5) harbours both deletions and duplications that are associated in carriers with neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric conditions as well as several rare disorders including congenital malformation syndromes. The aim of this article is to provide a review of the current knowledge of the diverse neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) associated with 16p11.2 deletions and duplications reported in published cohorts. A literature review was conducted using the PubMed/MEDLINE electronic database limited to papers published in English between 1 January 2010 and 31 July 2020, describing 16p11.2 deletions and duplications carriers’ cohorts. Twelve articles meeting inclusion criteria were reviewed from the 75 articles identified by the search. Of these twelve papers, eight described both deletions and duplications, three described deletions only and one described duplications only. This study highlights the heterogeneity of NDD descriptions of the selected cohorts and inconsistencies concerning accuracy of data reporting.

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Comprehensive characterization of copy number variation (CNV) called from array, long- and short-read data

BMC Genomics ◽

10.1186/s12864-021-08082-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ksenia Lavrichenko ◽

Stefan Johansson ◽

Inge Jonassen

Keyword(s):

Copy Number ◽

Copy Number Variants ◽

Personal Genome ◽

Raw Data ◽

Genome Wide ◽

Long Read ◽

Golden Standard ◽

Number Variation ◽

Public Datasets ◽

Genomic Regions

Abstract Background SNP arrays, short- and long-read genome sequencing are genome-wide high-throughput technologies that may be used to assay copy number variants (CNVs) in a personal genome. Each of these technologies comes with its own limitations and biases, many of which are well-known, but not all of them are thoroughly quantified. Results We assembled an ensemble of public datasets of published CNV calls and raw data for the well-studied Genome in a Bottle individual NA12878. This assembly represents a variety of methods and pipelines used for CNV calling from array, short- and long-read technologies. We then performed cross-technology comparisons regarding their ability to call CNVs. Different from other studies, we refrained from using the golden standard. Instead, we attempted to validate the CNV calls by the raw data of each technology. Conclusions Our study confirms that long-read platforms enable recalling CNVs in genomic regions inaccessible to arrays or short reads. We also found that the reproducibility of a CNV by different pipelines within each technology is strongly linked to other CNV evidence measures. Importantly, the three technologies show distinct public database frequency profiles, which differ depending on what technology the database was built on.

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A comprehensive analysis of copy number variation in a Turkish dementia cohort

Human Genomics ◽

10.1186/s40246-021-00346-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Nadia Dehghani ◽

Gamze Guven ◽

Celia Kun-Rodrigues ◽

Catarina Gouveia ◽

Kalina Foster ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Copy Number Variation ◽

Copy Number ◽

Copy Number Variants ◽

Olfactory Receptors ◽

Chromosome 9 ◽

Systematic Analysis ◽

Family Analysis ◽

Number Variation ◽

The Uk ◽

Genomic Regions

Abstract Background Copy number variants (CNVs) include deletions or multiplications spanning genomic regions. These regions vary in size and may span genes known to play a role in human diseases. As examples, duplications and triplications of SNCA have been shown to cause forms of Parkinson’s disease, while duplications of APP cause early onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Results Here, we performed a systematic analysis of CNVs in a Turkish dementia cohort in order to further characterize the genetic causes of dementia in this population. One hundred twenty-four Turkish individuals, either at risk of dementia due to family history, diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, AD, or frontotemporal dementia, were whole-genome genotyped and CNVs were detected. We integrated family analysis with a comprehensive assessment of potentially disease-associated CNVs in this Turkish dementia cohort. We also utilized both dementia and non-dementia individuals from the UK Biobank in order to further elucidate the potential role of the identified CNVs in neurodegenerative diseases. We report CNVs overlapping the previously implicated genes ZNF804A, SNORA70B, USP34, XPO1, and a locus on chromosome 9 which includes a cluster of olfactory receptors and ABCA1. Additionally, we also describe novel CNVs potentially associated with dementia, overlapping the genes AFG1L, SNX3, VWDE, and BC039545. Conclusions Genotyping data from understudied populations can be utilized to identify copy number variation which may contribute to dementia.

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Exome sequencing in patients with antiepileptic drug exposure and complex phenotypes

Archives of Disease in Childhood ◽

10.1136/archdischild-2018-316547 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 105 (4) ◽

pp. 384-389 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Adam Jackson ◽

Heather Ward ◽

Rebecca Louise Bromley ◽

Charulata Deshpande ◽

Pradeep Vasudevan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Exome Sequencing ◽

Copy Number ◽

Developmental Disorders ◽

Drug Exposure ◽

Genetic Disorders ◽

Copy Number Variants ◽

Copy Number Variant ◽

In Utero ◽

Developmental Problems ◽

Number Of Children

IntroductionFetal anticonvulsant syndrome (FACS) describes the pattern of physical and developmental problems seen in those children exposed to certain antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in utero. The diagnosis of FACS is a clinical one and so excluding alternative diagnoses such as genetic disorders is essential.MethodsWe reviewed the pathogenicity of reported variants identified on exome sequencing in the Deciphering Developmental Disorders (DDD) Study in 42 children exposed to AEDs in utero, but where a diagnosis other than FACS was suspected. In addition, we analysed chromosome microarray data from 10 patients with FACS seen in a Regional Genetics Service.ResultsSeven children (17%) from the DDD Study had a copy number variant or pathogenic variant in a developmental disorder gene which was considered to explain or partially explain their phenotype. Across the AED exposure types, variants were found in 2/15 (13%) valproate exposed cases and 3/14 (21%) carbamazepine exposed cases. No pathogenic copy number variants were identified in our local sample (n=10).ConclusionsThis study is the first of its kind to analyse the exomes of children with developmental disorders who were exposed to AEDs in utero. Though we acknowledge that the results are subject to bias, a significant number of children were identified with alternate diagnoses which had an impact on counselling and management. We suggest that consideration is given to performing whole exome sequencing as part of the diagnostic work-up for children exposed to AEDs in utero.

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Detection and characterization of copy number variants based on whole-genome sequencing by DNBSEQ platforms

10.1101/786962 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Junhua Rao ◽

Lihua Peng ◽

Fang Chen ◽

Hui Jiang ◽

Chunyu Geng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Whole Genome Sequencing ◽

Genome Sequencing ◽

Copy Number ◽

Copy Number Variants ◽

Copy Number Variant ◽

Whole Genome ◽

Genome Wide ◽

Wide Range ◽

Distribution Sensitivity ◽

Cnv Detection

AbstractBackgroundNext-generation sequence (NGS) has rapidly developed in past years which makes whole-genome sequencing (WGS) becoming a more cost- and time-efficient choice in wide range of biological researches. We usually focus on some variant detection via WGS data, such as detection of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), insertion and deletion (Indel) and copy number variant (CNV), which playing an important role in many human diseases. However, the feasibility of CNV detection based on WGS by DNBSEQ™ platforms was unclear. We systematically analysed the genome-wide CNV detection power of DNBSEQ™ platforms and Illumina platforms on NA12878 with five commonly used tools, respectively.ResultsDNBSEQ™ platforms showed stable ability to detect slighter more CNVs on genome-wide (average 1.24-fold than Illumina platforms). Then, CNVs based on DNBSEQ™ platforms and Illumina platforms were evaluated with two public benchmarks of NA12878, respectively. DNBSEQ™ and Illumina platforms showed similar sensitivities and precisions on both two benchmarks. Further, the difference between tools for CNV detection was analyzed, and indicated the selection of tool for CNV detection could affected the CNV performance, such as count, distribution, sensitivity and precision.ConclusionThe major contribution of this paper is providing a comprehensive guide for CNV detection based on WGS by DNBSEQ™ platforms for the first time.

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The prenatal diagnosis and clinical outcomes of fetuses with 15q11.2 copy number variants: a case series of 36 patients

10.22541/au.161956845.50551129/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jessica Kang ◽

Chien Nan Lee ◽

Yi-Ning Su ◽

Ming-Wei Lin ◽

Yi-Yun Tai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Developmental Delay ◽

Copy Number ◽

De Novo ◽

Copy Number Variants ◽

Case Series ◽

Copy Number Variant ◽

University Hospital ◽

Limited Information ◽

Ultrasound Findings

Objective: The prenatal genetic counseling of fetus diagnosed with the 15q11.2 copy number variant (CNV) involving the BP1-BP2 region has been difficult due to limited information and controversial opinion on prognosis. Design: Case series. Setting: This study uses data from National Taiwan University Hospital. Sample: Data of 36 pregnant women who underwent prenatal microarray analysis from 2012 to 2017 and were assessed at National Taiwan University Hospital. Methods: Data were collected by reviewing patients’ medical record. Comparison of patient characteristics, prenatal ultrasound findings and postnatal outcomes between different cases involving the 15q11.2 BP1-BP2 region were presented. Main outcome measured: Postnatal prognosis. Results: Out of the 36 patients diagnosed with CNVs involving the BP1-BP2 region, 5 were diagnosed with microduplication and 31 with microdeletion. Abnormal ultrasound findings were recorded in 12 cases prenatally. De novo microduplications were observed in 25% of the cases and microdeletions were found in 14%. Amongst the cases, 10 pregnant women received termination of pregnancy and 26 gave birth to healthy individuals (27 babies in total). Conclusion: The prognoses of 15q11.2 CNVs were controversial and recent studies have revealed its connection with developmental delay and autism. In our study, no obvious developmental delay or neurological disorders were detected postnatally in the 1 case of 15q11.2 microduplication and 25 cases of microdeletion.

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Genomic Syndromes in Schizophrenia

Neurobiology of Mental Illness ◽

10.1093/med/9780199934959.003.0019 ◽

2013 ◽

pp. 247-255

Author(s):

George Kirov ◽

Michael C. O’Donovan ◽

Michael J. Owen

Keyword(s):

Intellectual Disability ◽

Developmental Delay ◽

Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽

Copy Number ◽

De Novo ◽

Copy Number Variants ◽

Individual Risk ◽

Genomic Deletions ◽

Pathogenic Cnvs ◽

Cognition And Learning

Several submicroscopic genomic deletions and duplications known as copy number variants (CNVs) have been reported to increase susceptibility to schizophrenia. Those for which the evidence is particularly strong include deletions at chromosomal segments 1q21.1, 3q29, 15q11.2, 15q13.3, 17q12 and 22q11.2, duplications at 15q11.2-q13.1, 16p13.1, and 16p11.2, and deletions atthe gene NRXN1. The effect of each on individual risk is relatively large, but it does not appear that any of them is alone sufficient to cause disorder in carriers. These CNVs often arise as new mutations(de novo). Analyses of genes enriched among schizophrenia implicated CNVs highlight the involvement in the disorder of post-synaptic processes relevant to glutamatergicsignalling, cognition and learning. CNVs that contribute to schizophrenia risk also contribute to other neurodevelopmental disorders, including intellectual disability, developmental delay and autism. As a result of selection, all known pathogenic CNVs are rare, and none makes a sizeable contribution to overall population risk of schizophrenia, although the study of these mutations is nevertheless providing important insights into the origins of the disorder.

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The Role of Copy Number Variation in Psychiatric Disorders

Psychiatric Genetics ◽

10.1093/med/9780190221973.003.0006 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 84-95

Author(s):

Elliott Rees ◽

George Kirov

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽

Copy Number ◽

Selection Pressure ◽

Copy Number Variants ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

High Odds ◽

Strong Selection ◽

Increase Risk ◽

Number Variation

Copy number variants (CNVs) are deletions, duplications, inversions, or translocations of large DNA segments. They can play a significant role in human disease. Thirteen CNVs have received strong statistical support for involvement in schizophrenia. They are all rare in cases (<1%), much rarer among controls, and have high odds ratios (ORs) for causing disease. The same CNVs also increase risk for autism spectrum disorders, developmental delay, and medical/physical comorbidities. The penetrance of these CNVs for any disorder is relatively high, ranging from 10% for 15q11.2 deletions to nearly 100% for deletions at 22q11.2. Strong selection pressure operates against carriers of these CNVs. Most of these are formed by non-allelic homologous recombination (NAHR), which leads to high mutation rates, thus maintaining the rates of these CNVs in the general population, despite the strong selection forces.

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