Aymé–Gripp syndrome in a Russian patient with a newly detected mutation in the MAF gene

Aymé–Gripp syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant syndrome caused by mutations in the MAF gene and is characterized by a pronounced phenotypic polymorphism. The core of clinical signs consists of congenital cataracts, sensorineural hearing loss, specific dysmorphic facial features and intellectual disabilities. With varying frequency, patients have: radioulnar synostosis, Arnold–Chiari malformation, aseptic pericarditis, dental anomaly and osteoarthritis. The article presents the clinical and genetic characteristics of the first Russian patient with Aymé–Gripp syndrome caused by a newly identified mutation s.173C>A (p.Thr58Asn NM_005360.4) in a heterozygous state in the MAF gene. The influence of the lo calization and type of amino acid substitutions in the protein product of the gene on the severity and specificity of the clinical manifestations of the syndrome is discussed.

Oxidative DNA Damage in Tamoxifen Injected THPfl/+ ROSACre/+ Mice

Background and Hypothesis: Tamm-Horsfall protein (THP) is an important regulator of urinary and systemic homeostasis expressed exclusively in the kidney. Complete knockout of THP has been shown to lead to systemic oxidative damage in a mouse model. To develop a more clinically relevant model, we generated a tamoxifen inducible knockout/heterozygote mouse using the Cre/Lox system. We hypothesize that inducing a heterozygous state would increase levels of oxidative damage in mice. Methods: Experimental mice were generated by breeding THPfl/fl mice with ROSACreERT2/CreERT2 mice to develop the inducible heterozygote THPfl/+RosaCreERT2. These mice, along with controls (THPfl/fl) were treated with daily intraperitoneal injections of 75 mg/kg tamoxifen for 5 days. Serum samples were obtained from mice at baseline and 1, 2 and 3 weeks from the first injection, while kidneys were harvested at 1 or 3 weeks. PCR of kidney genomic DNA demonstrated excision of the floxed allele in mice expressing Cre-ERT2. Western Blot analysis of kidney lysates was used to measure kidney THP, while circulating THP was measured by ELISA. Oxidative DNA damage was measured in the kidney and circulation by ELISA. Results: Though kidney THP levels decreased in mice expressing Cre-ERT2, circulating levels of THP remained stable, with evidence of transient increases at 1 or 2 weeks for most animals. Mice expressing Cre-ERT2 had significantly increased oxidative DNA damage within the kidney and there was a trend toward increased oxidative DNA damage in the serum, though larger sample sizes are required to verify this finding. Conclusion: Despite decreased THP in the kidney, mice maintained normal levels of circulating THP. However, higher levels of oxidative damage were found in both the kidney and circulation. Together, these results suggest that THP levels in the serum are tightly controlled and that an acute loss of THP leads to rapid increases in oxidative damage.

Family form of dilated cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy (CMP) is classified into familial and non-familial, which reflects the need to study the genetic basis of the disease. The article describes a clinical case of a familial form of non-compact cardiomyopathy in combination with a dilated form of cardiomyopathy. The article provides data of echocardiographic and MRI studies. The diagnosis was confirmed by genetic research, there was revealed a mutation in the MYH7 gene p.IIe201Thr in a heterozygous state, which is associated with the development of non-compact cardiomyopathy and dilated form of cardiomyopathy.

Clinical case of familial medullary thyroid carcinoma

Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) accounts for 5—10 % of all thyroid cancers. Most cases are sporadic (75 %), but the proportion of patients with MTC and familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC) is the highest among any hereditary cancer syndromes (appro­ximately 25 %), and this risk should be considered when evaluating a patient with MTC. In this clinical case study, case of FMTC has been elucidated. Diagnostic criteria of the disease, molecular-genetic aspects, treatment tactics and post-operative observation findings have been presented. The case study illustrates, the efficacy of genomic profiling for the identification of molecular genetic drivers of the disease and its role in ensuring proper and timely diagnosis and treatment of familial form of MTC. When planning prophylactic thyroidectomy, it is recommended to focus on the stratification of the level of RET gene mutation and the timing of prophylactic thyroidectomy as proposed by the American Thyroid Association. The use of molecular genetic investigations in clinical practice for diagnosing MTC makes it possible to objectify the genetic line of the disease in a particular biological family. The patient was found to have a pathogenic germline missense mutation c.2304 G> T (p.E768D, CM020961) in a heterozygous state, which refers to moderate risk of aggressiveness of MTC. In addition, molecular genetic test was performed for the patient's biological child, a 4-year-old girl. Pathogenic mutation was found in the CHEK2 gene, c.47OT> C (p.Ile 157 Thr) in a heterozygous state. These mutations increase the risk of developing breast cancer by 2-3 times, and by 4-5 times in the presence of family history of cancer. The presence of this mutation increases the risk of developing other types of cancers such as stomach, breast, intestinal, prostate and thyroid cancers. Timely diagnosis of FMTC allows to formulate adequate treatment strategy at the preclinical stage of the disease and can significantly improve the quality and duration of life.

Creation of new tomato forms with fungal disease resistance genes based on marker selection

Relevance. The presented studies are aimed at obtaining new forms of tomato with a complex of genes for resistance to fungal diseases in combination with a standard type of bush and dark coloring of fruits based on marker-mediated selection.Methodology. The biological objects of the study are varieties and hybrid forms of tomato from the collection of the Michurinsky SAU. Molecular genetic analysis was performed using the following methods. DNA extraction was carried out from young leaves using a kit for isolation of NC Sample NC manufactured by Agrodiagnostika LLC according to the manufacturer's protocol. Fermentas production kits were used for PCR. Identification of the cladosporosis resistance gene was Cf-19 performed using the DNA marker R7. The presence of a fusarious wilting resistance gene was determined by a I-2/5 marker. The amplification results were visualized by agarose gel electrophoresis.Results. During the research, a collection of varieties and hybrid forms of tomato of the Michurinsky GAU was analyzed in order to identify genes for resistance to cladosporiosis Cf-19 and fusarium wilt I-2. A total of 52 genotypes were analyzed. It was found that most samples (41 samples) are characterized by a heterozygous state of the Cf-19 gene. All indeterminant and semi-determinant forms had both alleles. Of the 23 determinant forms presented in the collection, 10 had only one allele corresponding to recessive homozygote. Among all analyzed tomato genotypes, no dominant homozygous forms were noted. The study of the collection revealed several alleles of the I-2 gene. In total, four fragments corresponding to various alleles were amplified. A total of 50 resistant genotypes have been identified in the collection. Two alleys of the I-2 gene (633/693 bp) were identified in 42 tomato samples. Four varieties are homozygous in one allele (633 bp), which determines resistance. Three varieties have a second resistance allele (566 bp). One genotype has only an allele defining susceptibility (693 bp). On the basis of molecular analysis, as well as an assessment of the type of bush and fetal color, initial forms were selected with subsequent hybridization. 67 hybrid tomato plants were obtained. Evaluation of the presence of resistance genes showed that most of the resulting hybrids are resistant to cladosporiosis and fuzariosis. This is due to the presence of dominant alleles of Cf-19 and I-2 genes in a heterozygous state. Among the resulting hybrids, plants with a bark type of bush were identified. A total of 13 such plants were obtained.Conclusion. Thus, the work carried out allowed to obtain hybrid forms of tomato combine the signs of resistance to two pathogens of fungal diseases and the stem type of the bush. These forms are planned to be used in further selection work.

Clinical and genetic characteristics of distal arthrogryposis caused by mutations in the PIEZO2 gene

Mutations in the PIEZO2 gene, which is involved in the formation of the mechanosensitive cation channel Piezo2, can cause distal arthrogryposis type 3 (Gordon’s syndrome), type 5, and Marden–Walker syndrome. Clinical and genetic characteristics of two patients with distal arthrogryposis with autosomal dominant inheritance and one with autosomal recessive inheritance are presented. Exome sequencing in one case revealed a de novo mutation in exon 52 of the PIEZO2gene c.8238G>A (p.Trp2746*, NM_022068.3), in the second, a known deletion of three nucleotides in exon 52 of the PIEZO2 gene c.8181_8183delAGA (p Glu2727del, NM_022068.3) was found, in the third, two mutations in the compound heterozygous state – a deletion of four nucleotides leading to a shift in the reading frame in c.1863_1866delTCAG(p.Ser621fs, NM_022068) and a deletion with putative coordinates 10785050–10789339 bp, spanning 15–16 exons of the PIEZO2 gene (NM_022068; LOD 2.40). The third patient was found to have two newly detected mutations in the compound heterozygous state – a deletion of four nucleotides, leading to a shift in the reading frame in exon 14, p.1863_1866delTCAG (p.Ser621fs, NM_022068) and a deletion with assumed coordinates 10785050–10789339 b. o., (NM_022068; LOD 2.40), spanning 15–16 exons of the PIEZO2 gene. The previous assumption was confirmed that heterozygous mutations are more often localized in exon 52 of the PIEZO2 gene and disrupt the amino acid sequence of the C‑terminal region of the protein molecule, while in patients with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance of the mutation, the N‑terminal region is more often found.

Case Report: Diffuse Polymicrogyria Associated With a Novel ADGRG1 Variant

Pathogenic variants of the ADGRG1 gene are associated with bilateral frontoparietal polymicrogyria, defined radiologically by polymicrogyria with an anterior-posterior gradient, pontine and cerebellar hypoplasia and patchy white matter abnormalities. We report a novel homozygous ADGRG1 variant with atypical features. The patient presented at 8 months of age with motor delay, esotropia, hypotonia with hyporeflexia and subsequently developed refractory epilepsy. At the last assessment, aged 12 years, head control, sitting and language were not acquired. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed diffuse polymicrogyria with relative sparing of the anterior temporal lobes, without an anterior-posterior gradient, diffuse hypomyelination and pontine and cerebellar hypoplasia. A panel targeting brain morphogenesis defects yielded an unreported homozygous ADGRG1 nonsense variant (dbSNP rs746634404), present in the heterozygous state in both parents. We report a novel ADGRG1 variant associated with diffuse polymicrogyria without an identifiable anterior-posterior gradient, diffuse hypomyelination and a severe motor and cognitive phenotype. Our case highlights the phenotypic diversity of ADGRG1 pathogenic variants and the clinico-anatomical overlap between recognized polymicrogyria syndromes.

A molecular marker set combining a retrotransposon insertion and SSR polymorphisms is useful for assessing diversity in Vitis

Molecular markers, based on DNA polymorphisms, are useful tools for identifying individuals, establishing phylogenetic relationships, managing collections of genetic material or assisting breeding. In the present study, we developed a marker set to differentiate Vitis species, grapevine varieties or clones belonging to the same variety. This novel marker set combines, in four PCR amplifications, the presence/absence of a remarkable retrotransposon, Tvv1-Δ3460, inserted at its single locus and the SSR polymorphism present within its two LTRs. By studying a collection of Vitaceaeaccessions, we showed the prevalence of two allelic forms of Tvv1-Δ3460 - one of which was partially truncated - in Vitis species. Out of the twenty-five studied Vitis species, the insertion of a Tvv1-Δ3460 element was detected in twenty, including Vitis vinifera. The homozygous vs heterozygous state of the element insertion was determined by amplifying the empty site. Additionally, each Tvv1-Δ3460 LTRs included a microsatellite sequence useful for designing markers based on LTR length. The LTR-SSR markers distinguished most of the fifty-two cultivars and revealed polymorphism within five of the seven varieties studied.

Non-Classical Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia-Causing Alleles in Adolescent Girls with PCOS and in Risk Group for PCOS Development

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy in women. Depending on the diagnostic criteria applied, it occurs in up to 16.6% of the general female population. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia includes a group of autosomal recessive disorders, the most common of which is non-classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCAH) caused by mutations in the CYP21A2 gene. PCOS and NCAH have similar clinical manifestations (hyperandrogenemia, i.e., hirsutism, acne, alopecia, and increased androgen levels in the blood) and potential impact on long-term health (infertility, increased risk of type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Consequently, it is thought that NCAH mutations in the heterozygous state may play a role in PCOS development and phenotypic expression. Objective: To determine the prevalence of the most common pathogenic alleles of the CYP21A2 gene in adolescents with PCOS and adolescents at risk of PCOS development, and to compare the results with healthy adolescents matched for gynecological age. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 55 PCOS patients, 23 risk patients (with hyperandrogenism but a normal menstrual cycle), and 49 healthy adolescents. Genetic variations in the CYP21A2 gene were analyzed using a standard Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification test (SALSA MLPA Probemix P050-C1 CAH; MRC Holland). Results: No significant differences were found among the three groups regarding the frequency of carriers of NCAH variations in the heterozygous state. It was found that the I172N carrier in the PCOS group had a significantly higher Global Acne Grading Scale score than PCOS patients without this variation (p = 0.038). Within the control group of healthy adolescents, compound heterozygous carriers (IVS2-12A > G and -113G > A) had a significantly higher body mass index than non-carriers (p = 0.036). Conclusion: We found no differences in the incidence of NCAH-causing variations in the heterozygous state in adolescent PCOS patients, risk adolescents (with hirsutism but normal menstruation), and healthy adolescents. Future studies of larger cohorts and rarer pathogenic CYP21A2 gene variations are required.