scholarly journals Genotype–phenotype correlations and novel molecular insights into the DHX30-associated neurodevelopmental disorders

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilaria Mannucci ◽  
Nghi D. P. Dang ◽  
Hannes Huber ◽  
Jaclyn B. Murry ◽  
Jeff Abramson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
De Novo ◽  
Clinical Course ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Global Developmental Delay ◽  
Helicase Activity ◽  
Speech Impairment ◽  
Human Phenotype ◽  
Missense Variants ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Global Translation

Abstract Background We aimed to define the clinical and variant spectrum and to provide novel molecular insights into the DHX30-associated neurodevelopmental disorder. Methods Clinical and genetic data from affected individuals were collected through Facebook-based family support group, GeneMatcher, and our network of collaborators. We investigated the impact of novel missense variants with respect to ATPase and helicase activity, stress granule (SG) formation, global translation, and their effect on embryonic development in zebrafish. SG formation was additionally analyzed in CRISPR/Cas9-mediated DHX30-deficient HEK293T and zebrafish models, along with in vivo behavioral assays. Results We identified 25 previously unreported individuals, ten of whom carry novel variants, two of which are recurrent, and provide evidence of gonadal mosaicism in one family. All 19 individuals harboring heterozygous missense variants within helicase core motifs (HCMs) have global developmental delay, intellectual disability, severe speech impairment, and gait abnormalities. These variants impair the ATPase and helicase activity of DHX30, trigger SG formation, interfere with global translation, and cause developmental defects in a zebrafish model. Notably, 4 individuals harboring heterozygous variants resulting either in haploinsufficiency or truncated proteins presented with a milder clinical course, similar to an individual harboring a de novo mosaic HCM missense variant. Functionally, we established DHX30 as an ATP-dependent RNA helicase and as an evolutionary conserved factor in SG assembly. Based on the clinical course, the variant location, and type we establish two distinct clinical subtypes. DHX30 loss-of-function variants cause a milder phenotype whereas a severe phenotype is caused by HCM missense variants that, in addition to the loss of ATPase and helicase activity, lead to a detrimental gain-of-function with respect to SG formation. Behavioral characterization of dhx30-deficient zebrafish revealed altered sleep-wake activity and social interaction, partially resembling the human phenotype. Conclusions Our study highlights the usefulness of social media to define novel Mendelian disorders and exemplifies how functional analyses accompanied by clinical and genetic findings can define clinically distinct subtypes for ultra-rare disorders. Such approaches require close interdisciplinary collaboration between families/legal representatives of the affected individuals, clinicians, molecular genetics diagnostic laboratories, and research laboratories.

scholarly journals Genotype-phenotype correlations and novel molecular insights into the DHX30-associated neurodevelopmental disorders

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilaria Mannucci ◽  
Nan Cher Yeo ◽  
Hannes Huber ◽  
Jaclyn Murry ◽  
Jeff Abramson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
De Novo ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Missense Variant ◽  
Stress Granule ◽  
Helicase Activity ◽  
Speech Impairment ◽  
Granule Formation ◽  
Missense Variants ◽  
Functional Analyses ◽  
Global Translation

Background We aimed to define the clinical and mutational spectrum, and to provide novel molecular insights into DHX30-associated neurodevelopmental disorder. Methods Clinical and genetic data from affected individuals were collected through family support group, GeneMatcher and our network of collaborators. Novel missense variants were investigated by in-vitro and in-vivo assays. These analyses included investigation of stress granule formation, global translation, ATPase and helicase activity, as well as the effect of selected variants on embryonal development in Zebrafish. Results We identified altogether 25 previously unreported individuals. All 19 individuals harboring heterozygous missense variants within helicase core motifs (HCMs) have global developmental delay, intellectual disability, severe speech impairment and gait abnormalities. These variants impair the ATPase and helicase activity of DHX30 and global translation, trigger stress granule formation, and cause developmental defects in a zebrafish model. Notably, 4 individuals harboring heterozygous variants resulting either in haploinsufficiency or truncated proteins presented a milder clinical course, similar to an individual bearing a de novo mosaic missense variant within HCM. Late-onset severe ataxia was observed in an individual with a de novo missense variant within the ratchet-like domain, and early-onset lethal epileptic encephalopathy in an individual with a homozygous missense variant within the helicase core region but not within a HCM. We report ten novel variants, two of which are recurrent, and provide evidence of gonadal mosaicism in one family. Functional analyses confirmed pathogenicity of all missense variants, and suggest the existence of clinically distinct subtypes that correlate with their location and nature. Moreover, we established here DHX30 as an ATP-dependent RNA helicase. Conclusions Our study highlights the usefulness of social media in order to define novel Mendelian disorders, and exemplifies how functional analyses accompanied by clinical and genetic findings can define clinically distinct subtypes for ultra-rare disorders. Such approaches require close interdisciplinary collaboration between families/legal representatives of the affected, clinicians, molecular genetics diagnostic laboratories and research laboratories.

scholarly journals Variants in PRKAR1B cause a neurodevelopmental disorder with autism spectrum disorder, apraxia, and insensitivity to pain

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felix Marbach ◽  
◽  
Georgi Stoyanov ◽  
Florian Erger ◽  
Constantine A. Stratakis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Global Developmental Delay ◽  
Missense Variants ◽  
Large Patient ◽  
Significant Enrichment

Abstract Purpose We characterize the clinical and molecular phenotypes of six unrelated individuals with intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder who carry heterozygous missense variants of the PRKAR1B gene, which encodes the R1β subunit of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA). Methods Variants of PRKAR1B were identified by single- or trio-exome analysis. We contacted the families and physicians of the six individuals to collect phenotypic information, performed in vitro analyses of the identified PRKAR1B-variants, and investigated PRKAR1B expression during embryonic development. Results Recent studies of large patient cohorts with neurodevelopmental disorders found significant enrichment of de novo missense variants in PRKAR1B. In our cohort, de novo origin of the PRKAR1B variants could be confirmed in five of six individuals, and four carried the same heterozygous de novo variant c.1003C>T (p.Arg335Trp; NM_001164760). Global developmental delay, autism spectrum disorder, and apraxia/dyspraxia have been reported in all six, and reduced pain sensitivity was found in three individuals carrying the c.1003C>T variant. PRKAR1B expression in the brain was demonstrated during human embryonal development. Additionally, in vitro analyses revealed altered basal PKA activity in cells transfected with variant-harboring PRKAR1B expression constructs. Conclusion Our study provides strong evidence for a PRKAR1B-related neurodevelopmental disorder.

scholarly journals Variants in PRKAR1B cause a neurodevelopmental disorder with autism spectrum disorder, apraxia, and insensitivity to pain

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felix Marbach ◽  
Georgi Stoyanov ◽  
Florian Erger ◽  
Jill A. Rosenfeld ◽  
Erin Torti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Global Developmental Delay ◽  
Missense Variants ◽  
Significant Enrichment

Purpose: We characterize the phenotypes of six unrelated individuals with intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder, who carry heterozygous missense-variants of the PRKAR1B gene. Methods: Variants of PRKAR1B were identified by single-exome or trio-exome analysis. We contacted the families and physicians of the six individuals in order to collect clinical and phenotypic information. Results: PRKAR1B encodes the R1β subunit of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA), and is predominantly expressed in the central nervous system. Recent studies of patient cohorts with neurodevelopmental disorders found significant enrichment of de novo missense variants in PRKAR1B, and in vivo studies of the murine ortholog demonstrated altered hippocampal function and reduced neurogenic inflammation and long-term nociceptive pain in R1β-deficient mice. In our study, de novo origin of the PRKAR1B-variants could be confirmed in five out of six individuals, and four carried the same heterozygous de novo variant c.1003C>T (p. Arg335Trp; NM_001164760). Global developmental delay, autism spectrum disorder, and apraxia/dyspraxia has been reported in all six, and reduced pain sensitivity was found in three individuals carrying the c.1003C>T variant. Conclusion: Our study provides strong evidence for a novel, PRKAR1B-related neurodevelopmental disorder.

scholarly journals A Novel Missense Variant in the Gene PPP2R5D Causes a Rare Neurodevelopmental Disorder with Increased Phenotype

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Lulu Yan ◽  
Ru Shen ◽  
Zongfu Cao ◽  
Chunxiao Han ◽  
Yuxin Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
De Novo ◽  
Genetic Disorder ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Missense Variant ◽  
Pathogenic Variant ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Chinese Family ◽  
Speech Impairment ◽  
Pathogenic Variants

PPP2R5D-related neurodevelopmental disorder, which is mainly caused by de novo missense variants in the PPP2R5D gene, is a rare autosomal dominant genetic disorder with about 100 patients and a total of thirteen pathogenic variants known to exist globally so far. Here, we present a 24-month-old Chinese boy with developmental delay and other common clinical characteristics of PPP2R5D-related neurodevelopmental disorder including hypotonia, macrocephaly, intellectual disability, speech impairment, and behavioral abnormality. Trio-whole exome sequencing (WES) and Sanger sequencing were performed to identify the causal gene variant. The pathogenicity of the variant was evaluated using bioinformatics tools. We identified a novel pathogenic variant in the PPP2R5D gene (c.620G>T, p.Trp207Leu). The variant is located in the variant hotspot region of this gene and is predicted to cause PPP2R5D protein dysfunction due to an increase in local hydrophobicity and unstable three-dimensional structure. We report a novel pathogenic variant of PPP2R5D associated with PPP2R5D-related neurodevelopmental disorder from a Chinese family. Our findings expanded the phenotypic and mutational spectrum of PPP2R5D-related neurodevelopmental disorder.

scholarly journals Inherited variants in CHD3 demonstrate variable expressivity in Snijders Blok-Campeau syndrome

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jet van der Spek ◽  
Joery den Hoed ◽  
Lot Snijders Blok ◽  
Alexander J. M. Dingemans ◽  
Dick Schijven ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
De Novo ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Next Generation Sequencing Data ◽  
Sequencing Data ◽  
Human Phenotype ◽  
Variable Expressivity ◽  
Pathogenic Variants ◽  
Reduced Penetrance ◽  
Coding Variants

Interpretation of next-generation sequencing data of individuals with an apparent sporadic neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) often focusses on pathogenic variants in genes associated with NDD, assuming full clinical penetrance with limited variable expressivity. Consequently, inherited variants in genes associated with dominant disorders may be overlooked when the transmitting parent is clinically unaffected. While de novo variants explain a substantial proportion of cases with NDDs, a significant number remains undiagnosed possibly explained by coding variants associated with reduced penetrance and variable expressivity. We characterized twenty families with inherited heterozygous missense or protein-truncating variants (PTVs) in CHD3, a gene in which de novo variants cause Snijders Blok-Campeau syndrome, characterized by intellectual disability, speech delay and recognizable facial features (SNIBCPS). Notably, the majority of the inherited CHD3 variants were maternally transmitted. Computational facial and human phenotype ontology-based comparisons demonstrated that the phenotypic features of probands with inherited CHD3 variants overlap with the phenotype previously associated with de novo variants in the gene, while carrier parents are mildly or not affected, suggesting variable expressivity. Additionally, similarly reduced expression levels of CHD3 protein in cells of an affected proband and of related healthy carriers with a CHD3 PTV, suggested that compensation of expression from the wildtype allele is unlikely to be an underlying mechanism. Our results point to a significant role of inherited variation in SNIBCPS, a finding that is critical for correct variant interpretation and genetic counseling and warrants further investigation towards understanding the broader contributions of such variation to the landscape of human disease.

Recurrent de novo missense variants in GNB2 can cause syndromic intellectual disability

2021 ◽  
pp. jmedgenet-2020-107462
Author(s):  
Natalie B Tan ◽  
Alistair T Pagnamenta ◽  
Matteo P Ferla ◽  
Jonathan Gadian ◽  
Brian HY Chung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
G Proteins ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Missense Variant ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Missense Variants ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disease ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
International Data

PurposeBinding proteins (G-proteins) mediate signalling pathways involved in diverse cellular functions and comprise Gα and Gβγ units. Human diseases have been reported for all five Gβ proteins. A de novo missense variant in GNB2 was recently reported in one individual with developmental delay/intellectual disability (DD/ID) and dysmorphism. We aim to confirm GNB2 as a neurodevelopmental disease gene, and elucidate the GNB2-associated neurodevelopmental phenotype in a patient cohort.MethodsWe discovered a GNB2 variant in the index case via exome sequencing and sought individuals with GNB2 variants via international data-sharing initiatives. In silico modelling of the variants was assessed, along with multiple lines of evidence in keeping with American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines for interpretation of sequence variants.ResultsWe identified 12 unrelated individuals with five de novo missense variants in GNB2, four of which are recurrent: p.(Ala73Thr), p.(Gly77Arg), p.(Lys89Glu) and p.(Lys89Thr). All individuals have DD/ID with variable dysmorphism and extraneurologic features. The variants are located at the universally conserved shared interface with the Gα subunit, which modelling suggests weaken this interaction.ConclusionMissense variants in GNB2 cause a congenital neurodevelopmental disorder with variable syndromic features, broadening the spectrum of multisystem phenotypes associated with variants in genes encoding G-proteins.

16p11.2 de novo microdeletion encompassing SRCAP gene in a patient with speech impairment, global developmental delay and behavioural problems

2014 ◽  
Vol 57 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 649-653 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Gerundino ◽  
Giuseppina Marseglia ◽  
Chiara Pescucci ◽  
Elisabetta Pelo ◽  
Matteo Benelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Delay ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Behavioural Problems ◽  
Global Developmental Delay ◽  
Speech Impairment

scholarly journals De novo missense variants in SLC32A1 cause a neurodevelopmental disorder with epilepsy due to impaired GABAergic neurotransmission

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Konrad Platzer ◽  
Heinrich Sticht ◽  
Caleb Bupp ◽  
Mythily Ganapathi ◽  
Elaine M. Pereira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
De Novo ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
High Frequency Stimulation ◽  
Transport Pathway ◽  
Gabaergic Neurotransmission ◽  
Missense Variants ◽  
Quantal Size ◽  
Severe Intellectual Disability ◽  
Dyskinetic Movement ◽  
Frequency Stimulation

We describe four patients with a neurodevelopmental disorder and de novo missense variants in SLC32A1, the gene that encodes the vesicular GABA transporter (VGAT). The main phenotype comprises moderate to severe intellectual disability, early onset epilepsy within the first 18 months of life and a choreatic, dystonic or dyskinetic movement disorder. In silico modeling and functional analyses in cultured neurons reveal that three of these variants, which are located in helices that line the putative GABA transport pathway, result in reduced quantal size, consistent with impaired filling of synaptic vesicles with GABA. The fourth variant, located in the VGAT N-terminus, does not affect quantal size, but increases presynaptic release probability, leading to more severe synaptic depression during high frequency stimulation. Thus, variants in VGAT can impair GABAergic neurotransmission via at least two mechanisms, by affecting synaptic vesicle filling and by altering synaptic short-term plasticity. This work establishes de novo missense variants in SLC32A1 as a novel cause for a neurodevelopmental disorder with epilepsy.

scholarly journals Missense variants causing Wiedemann-Steiner syndrome preferentially occur in the KMT2A-CXXC domain and are accurately classified using AlphaFold2

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tinna Reynisdottir ◽  
Kimberley Anderson ◽  
Leandros Boukas ◽  
Hans Bjornsson
Keyword(s):  
In Silico ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Classification Performance ◽  
Saturation Mutagenesis ◽  
Biological Knowledge ◽  
Missense Variants ◽  
Mechanistic Basis ◽  
Insight Into

Wiedemann-Steiner syndrome (WSS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by de novo variants in KMT2A, which encodes a multi–domain histone methyltransferase. To gain insight into the currently unknown pathogenesis of WSS, we examined the spatial distribution of likely WSS–causing variants across the 15 different domains of KMT2A. Compared to variants in healthy controls, WSS variants exhibit a 64.1–fold overrepresentation within the CXXC domain – which mediates binding to unmethylated CpGs – suggesting a major role for this domain in mediating the phenotype. In contrast, we find no significant overrepresentation within the catalytic SET domain. Corroborating these results, we find that hippocampal neurons from Kmt2a–deficient mice demonstrate disrupted H3K4me1 preferentially at CpG-rich regions, but this has no systematic impact on gene expression. Motivated by these results, we combine accurate prediction of the CXXC domain structure by AlphaFold2 with prior biological knowledge to develop a classification scheme for missense variants in the CXXC domain. Our classifier achieved 96.0% positive and 92.3% negative predictive value on a hold–out test set. This classification performance enabled us to subsequently perform an in silico saturation mutagenesis and classify a total of 445 variants according to their functional effects. Our results yield a novel insight into the mechanistic basis of WSS and provide an example of how AlphaFold2 can contribute to the in silico characterization of variant effects with very high accuracy, establishing a paradigm potentially applicable to many other Mendelian disorders.

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