Case report of a de novo mutation of PCDH19 in Saudi family limited to females

Up to date more than 60 different mutations in PCDH19 have been identified. Most of PCDH19 gene is located in Xq22 and produces nonclustered delta protocadherin. This disorder primarily manifests in heterozygote females due to random X chromosome inactivation leading to somatic mosaicism and abnormal cellular interference between cells with and without delta-protocadherin., but we a heterozygous nucleotide mutation causing amino acid 561 to change from Pro to Ser (p.Pro561Ser). This mutation was de novo, and this alteration was not found in her parents. PCDH19-related epilepsy is a distinct childhood-onset epilepsy syndrome characterized by brief clusters of febrile and afebrile seizures with onset primarily before the age of three years, cognitive impairment, autistic traits, and behavioral abnormalities. We describe the features of a de novo mutation in 3 sibling, presented with early onset of seizure, two of them were controlled and wean off medication was at age of six year and her sister at age of 10 year .The youngest sister still partially controlled on medication, she had seizure only during febrile illness.

A Novel GEMIN4 Variant in a Consanguineous Family Leads to Neurodevelopmental Impairment with Severe Microcephaly, Spastic Quadriplegia, Epilepsy, and Cataracts

Pathogenic variants in GEMIN4 contribute to a hereditary disorder characterized by neurodevelopmental features, microcephaly, cataracts, and renal abnormalities (known as NEDMCR). To date, only two homoallelic variations have been linked to the disease. Moreover, clinical features associated with the variants have not been fully elucidated yet. Here, we identified a novel variant in GEMIN4 (NM_015721:exon2:c.440A>G:p.His147Arg) in two siblings from a consanguineous Saudi family by using whole exome sequencing followed by Sanger sequence verification. We comprehensively investigated the patients’ clinical features, including brain imaging and electroencephalogram findings, and compared their phenotypic characteristics with those of previously reported cases. In silico prediction and structural modeling support that the p.His147Arg variant is pathogenic.

Case Report of a de Novo Mutation of PCDH19 in Saudi Family Limited to Females

Up to date more than 60 different mutations in PCDH19 have been identified. Most of PCDH19 gene is located in Xq22 and produces nonclustered delta protocadherin. This disorder primarily manifests in heterozygote females due to random X chromosome inactivation leading to somatic mosaicism and abnormal cellular interference between cells with and without delta-protocadherin., but we a heterozygous nucleotide mutation causing amino acid 561 to change from Pro to Ser (p.Pro561Ser). This mutation was de novo, and this alteration was not found in her parents. PCDH19-related epilepsy is a distinct childhood-onset epilepsy syndrome characterized by brief clusters of febrile and afebrile seizures with onset primarily before the age of three years, cognitive impairment, autistic traits, and behavioral abnormalities. We describe the features of a de novo mutation in 3 sibling, presented with early onset of seizure, two of them were controlled and wean off medication was at age of six year and her sister at age of 10 year .The youngest sister still partially controlled on medication, she had seizure only during febrile illness.

Novel Heterozygous Variants in the HLA-DRB1 Gene in a Saudi Family with Early-Onset Familial Multiple Sclerosis: Therapeutic Failure and Success

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that affects the central nervous system. Familial MS is arbitrarily defined as a type of MS that runs in families with one or more first- to third-degree relatives in addition to the index case affected by MS. The aim of this article is to report a unique case of familial MS from Saudi Arabia with two novel variants in the HLA-DRB1 gene that may contribute to the pathogenesis. We observed an unfavorable response to interferon therapy and successful treatment using fingolimod therapy. This observation needs further study, including whether this lack of response is really specific to interferon treatment or possibly a chance occurrence. This family work-up illustrates the importance of genetic testing in identifying variants associated with familial MS, especially if more than two members of the same family are affected. Although this genetic tool is used mainly for research purposes, it had clinical implications for our patient, including the appropriate selection of disease-modifying therapy and prognostic counseling. Further large-scale studies are needed to expand the genetic spectrum of familial MS with clinical and pharmacologic correlation.

Full Molecular Screening for Colon Cancer Patients of Familial/ Highly Inherited Germline Mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2

Background: There is evidence of increasing number of early colon cancer cases among young people in many countries. The objective of this research is to assess the inherited germinal mutations in all BRCA2and BRCA1 coding areas in four consanguineous cases’ generations from a single Saudi family having occurrence of colon cancer. Methods: This research examines a single Saudi family through four generations from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This family have diagnosed with colon cancer and inherited germline mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2. The examination was conducted by DNA sequencing for the whole coding sections of BRCA1 and BRCA2. In addition, the colon samples were immunohistochemically and histologically analyzed utilizing BRCA1&2 antibodies and H&E staining, respectively.Results: 21 scenarios at-risk consanguineous cases were mutations carried in the BRCA genes (2 BRCA2 and 4 BRCA1) and comprised of 3 affected consanguineous cases having malignant cancer of the colon. The BRCA nucleotide sequencing revealed a substantial mutations’ cases within the genes of BRCA1 (frameshift mutations situated within exon 11 and exon 2 while there were no such mutations within the BRCA2 genes). A novel replacement mutation within BRCA2 (exon 18) 139 C > A was obtained (45.83%) in females whereas it was (31.26%) in males. Immunohistochemical staining showed positive staining for BRCA1 and BRCA2. Conclusion: The key reason that led to colon cancer incidences among them is highly inherited mutations of germline in BRCA2 and BRCA1 through repeated endogamy between consanguineous cases who carry these mutations.

Culture, Islamic capital and the entrepreneurial behaviour of family firms in Saudi Arabia

PurposeThere is a significant gap in understanding with regards to the role of cultural context in family business research. This paper aims to address this by exploring the critical and pervasive influence of culture in shaping the entrepreneurial behaviours of family businesses based in Saudi Arabia.Design/methodology/approachThe authors adopt a qualitative interpretive case study approach, which draws upon interviews with the incumbents and successors of ten Saudi Arabian family firms.FindingsThe authors’ empirical evidence reveals the importance of family ties and culture on the entrepreneurial behaviour of family firms in general, and the influence of “Islamic capital” on the intergenerational transfer of family legacy in particular.Originality/valueThe authors provide critical insights on how Islamic capital motivates Saudi family firms to maintain harmony, avoid disputes and create a legacy for future generations by engaging in entrepreneurial behaviours.

Identification of the TTC26 Splice Variant in a Novel Complex Ciliopathy Syndrome with Biliary, Renal, Neurological, and Skeletal Manifestations

Ciliopathies constitute heterogeneous disorders that result from mutations in ciliary proteins. These proteins play an important role in the development of organs, physiology, and signaling pathways, and sequence variations in the genes encoding these proteins are associated with multisystem disorders. In this study, we describe a severe ciliopathy disorder that segregates in an autosomal recessive manner in a nonconsanguineous Saudi family. The proband exhibited features such as cholestasis, cystic dilatation of intrahepatic biliary ducts, diabetes insipidus, dysmorphic facial features, optic atrophy, pituitary hypoplasia, hydrocephalus, aqueductal stenosis, hyperextensible knee joints, bilateral knee dislocation, polydactyly, and syndactyly. Whole-genome sequencing and Sanger sequencing revealed a homozygous splice site variant (c.4–1G&#x3e;C; NM_024926.3) in the tetratricopeptide repeat domain 26 (<i>TTC26</i>) gene located in chromosome 7q34, which cosegregated perfectly with the disease phenotype. qRT-PCR revealed a substantial decrease in the expression of the <i>TTC26</i> gene as compared to the normal control, suggesting the pathogenicity of the identified variant. This report further strengthens the evidence that homozygous variants in the <i>TTC26</i> gene cause severe ciliopathies with diverse phenotypes. We named this newly characterized condition as BRENS syndrome, which stands for biliary, renal, neurological, and skeletal features.

Case Report and Literature Review: Homozygous DNAJC3 Mutation in a Saudi Family Causing Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY), Hypothyroidism, Short Stature, Neurodegeneration, and Hearing Loss

Introduction: Monogenic diabetes results from a mutation in single gene, predominantly inherited and typically affects the young. DNAJC3 acts in attenuating endoplasmic reticulum stress and is found in abundance in pancreatic tissue. Clinical Case: We report a homozygous DNAJC3 mutation in two siblings of a consanguineous Saudi family. A 3-year boy presented with short stature and thyroid nodule; lab findings confirmed hypothyroidism, with TSH 27.8 and FT4 6.7 (n: TSH:0.35-4.94 mIU/L, FT4:9.0-19 pmol/L). Subsequently, L-thyroxine was started. GH stimulation test was normal. He was severely short; 80.5 cm (&lt; 1 percentile, -3.79 SD). The patient developed sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) at 6 years. He had low intellectual function and weak school performance. GH treatment was postponed to age 9 due to strong family history of DM. At that point, the patient developed progressive ataxic gait, for which he had muscle biopsy that excluded mitochondrial disease and workup for multiple sclerosis, which was excluded. Brain and spine MRI showed prominent neurodegeneration in subcortical white matter. At age 11, the patient developed DM, 4 years after GH treatment initiation. DM autoimmune markers were negative on multiple occasions. Lifestyle modification was initiated but soon required basal and bolus insulin therapy. Whole exome sequencing revealed homozygous DNAJC3 mutation, which explained his clinical presentation. At age of 17, adult height was 141 cm (Z-score: -5.87). His older brother had similar history discovered retrospectively but did not develop neurodegeneration or ataxia from the same DNAJC3 mutation. Literature Review: Literature review revealed six individuals with homozygous DNAJC3 mutation. All patients developed DM, with onset ranging from 11 to 19 years, highly suggestive of MODY. Other endocrine manifestations included short stature, and hypothyroidism due to primary etiology; in view of elevated TSH levels, vs. being secondary, as suggested by the authors. All patients had mitochondrial disease workups and was excluded. Variable neurodegeneration degrees are described; SNHL, progressive ataxia, sensorimotor neuropathy, and cognitive deficits. MRI findings showed atrophy of cerebellum, brainstem, cervical spinal cord, and hyperintense T2 lesions typical of neurodegeneration. Conclusion: Homozygous DNAJC3 gene mutation fits MODY criteria, we propose recognizing it as one of the known MODY gene mutations. Hypothyroidism is due to primary etiology, evident by TSH spikes. Physicians evaluating mitochondrial disease in patients with a constellation of SNHL, DM, hypothyroidism, neurodegeneration, and short stature should suspect DNAJC3 as one differential diagnosis. GH treatment must be initiated cautiously, with close monitoring due to its known diabetogenic effect, especially in DNAJC3 mutations, defective endoplasmic stress attenuation mechanism.