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Peled A, Sarig O, Mohamad J, Eskin-Schwartz M, Vodo D, Bochner R, Malchin N, Isakov O, Shomron N, Fainberg G, Bertolini M, Paus R, Sprecher E. Dominant frontonasal dysplasia with ectodermal defects results from increased activity of ALX4. Am J Med Genet A 2023; 191:2806-2812. [PMID: 37724761 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63408] [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: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Frontonasal dysplasia (FND) refers to a group of rare developmental disorders characterized by abnormal morphology of the craniofacial region. We studied a family manifesting with clinical features typical for FND2 including neurobehavioral abnormalities, hypotrichosis, hypodontia, and facial dysmorphism. Whole-exome sequencing analysis identified a novel heterozygous frameshift insertion in ALX4 (c.985_986insGTGC, p.Pro329Argfs*115), encoding aristaless homeobox 4. This and a previously reported dominant FND2-causing variant are predicted to result in the formation of a similar abnormally elongated protein tail domain. Using a reporter assay, we showed that the elongated ALX4 displays increased activity. ALX4 negatively regulates the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and accordingly, patient keratinocytes showed altered expression of genes associated with the WNT/β-catenin pathway, which in turn may underlie ectodermal manifestations in FND2. In conclusion, dominant FND2 with ectodermal dysplasia results from frameshift variants in ALX4 exerting a gain-of-function effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alon Peled
- Division of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ofer Sarig
- Division of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Janan Mohamad
- Division of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Marina Eskin-Schwartz
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
- Soroka University Medical Center, Genetic Institute, Be'er Sheva, Israel
| | - Dan Vodo
- Division of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ron Bochner
- Division of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Natalya Malchin
- Division of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ofer Isakov
- Rabin Medical Center, Raphael Recanati Genetic Institute, Petach Tikva, Israel
- Clalit Research Institute, Clalit Health Services, Ramat Gan, Israel
- The Ivan and Francesca Berkowitz Family Living Laboratory Collaboration at Harvard Medical School and Clalit Research Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Noam Shomron
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Gilad Fainberg
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Marta Bertolini
- Department of Dermatology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Monasterium Laboratory, Nano-Bioanalytik Zentrum, Münster, Germany
| | - Ralf Paus
- Monasterium Laboratory, Nano-Bioanalytik Zentrum, Münster, Germany
- Dr Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Florida, USA
- Centre for Dermatology Research, Institute of Inflammation and Repair, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Eli Sprecher
- Division of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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2
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Di Rocco F, Rossi M, Verlut I, Szathmari A, Beuriat PA, Chatron N, Chauvel-Picard J, Mottolese C, Monin P, Vinchon M, Guernouche S, Collet C. Clinical interest of molecular study in cases of isolated midline craniosynostosis. Eur J Hum Genet 2023; 31:621-628. [PMID: 36732661 PMCID: PMC10250395 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-023-01295-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In some cases of infants with apparently isolated single-suture synostosis, an underlying variant can be found. We aimed to determine the molecular substratum in isolated sagittal and metopic craniosynostosis. To this end, we included all infants who presented isolated midline synostosis (sagittal or metopic) and had undergone surgery at the craniosynostosis national reference center of Lyon University Hospital. All infants were examined by a multidisciplinary team including neurosurgeons, clinical geneticists and neuropsychologist. Among 101 infants tested, 13 carried a total of 13 variants; that is, 12.9% of the infants carried a variant in genes known to be involved in craniosynostosis. Seven infants carried SMAD6 variants, 2 in FGFR2, 1 in TWIST1, one in FREM1, one in ALX4 and one in TCF12. All variants were detected at the heterozygous level in genes associated with autosomal dominant craniosynostosis. Also, neurodevelopmental testing showed especially delayed acquisition of language in children with than without variants in SMAD6. In conclusion, a high percentage of young children with isolated midline craniosynostosis, especially in isolated trigonocephaly, carried SMAD6 variants. The interpretation of the pathogenicity of the genes must take into account incomplete penetrance, usually observed in craniosynostosis. Our results highlight the interest of molecular analysis in the context of isolated sagittal and/or metopic craniosynostosis to enhance an understanding of the pathophysiology of midline craniosynostosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Di Rocco
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, French Referral Center for Craniosynostosis, Hôpital Femme Mère-Enfant Hospices Civils de Lyon, University of Lyon, INSERM 1033, Lyon, France
| | - Massimiliano Rossi
- Department of Genetics, Lyon University Hospitals, INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR5292, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Isabelle Verlut
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, French Referral Center for Craniosynostosis, Hôpital Femme Mère-Enfant Hospices Civils de Lyon, University of Lyon, INSERM 1033, Lyon, France
| | - Alexandru Szathmari
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, French Referral Center for Craniosynostosis, Hôpital Femme Mère-Enfant Hospices Civils de Lyon, University of Lyon, INSERM 1033, Lyon, France
| | - Pierre Aurélien Beuriat
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, French Referral Center for Craniosynostosis, Hôpital Femme Mère-Enfant Hospices Civils de Lyon, University of Lyon, INSERM 1033, Lyon, France
| | - Nicolas Chatron
- Department of Genetics, Lyon University Hospitals, INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR5292, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Julie Chauvel-Picard
- Department of Pediatric Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Carmine Mottolese
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, French Referral Center for Craniosynostosis, Hôpital Femme Mère-Enfant Hospices Civils de Lyon, University of Lyon, INSERM 1033, Lyon, France
| | - Pauline Monin
- Department of Genetics, Lyon University Hospitals, INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR5292, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Matthieu Vinchon
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, French Referral Center for Craniosynostosis, Hôpital Femme Mère-Enfant Hospices Civils de Lyon, University of Lyon, INSERM 1033, Lyon, France
| | - Sofia Guernouche
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, French Referral Center for Craniosynostosis, Hôpital Femme Mère-Enfant Hospices Civils de Lyon, University of Lyon, INSERM 1033, Lyon, France
| | - Corinne Collet
- Department of Genetics, Robert Debré Hospital, Inserm 1132, Université de Paris Cité, Paris, France.
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3
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Ouidir M, Chatterjee S, Mendola P, Zhang C, Grantz KL, Tekola-Ayele F. Placental Gene Co-expression Network for Maternal Plasma Lipids Revealed Enrichment of Inflammatory Response Pathways. Front Genet 2021; 12:681095. [PMID: 34745199 PMCID: PMC8567461 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.681095] [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: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal dyslipidemia during pregnancy has been associated with suboptimal fetal growth and increased cardiometabolic diseasse risk in offspring. Altered placental function driven by placental gene expression is a hypothesized mechanism underlying these associations. We tested the relationship between maternal plasma lipid concentrations and placental gene expression. Among 64 pregnant women from the NICHD Fetal Growth Studies–Singleton cohort with maternal first trimester plasma lipids we extracted RNA-Seq on placental samples obtained at birth. Placental gene co-expression networks were validated by regulatory network analysis that integrated transcription factors and gene expression, and genome-wide transcriptome analysis. Network analysis detected 24 gene co-expression modules in placenta, of which one module was correlated with total cholesterol (r = 0.27, P-value = 0.03) and LDL-C (r = 0.31, P-value = 0.01). Genes in the module (n = 39 genes) were enriched in inflammatory response pathways. Out of the 39 genes in the module, three known lipid-related genes (MPO, PGLYRP1 and LTF) and MAGEC2 were validated by the regulatory network analysis, and one known lipid-related gene (ALX4) and two germ-cell development-related genes (MAGEC2 and LUZP4) were validated by genome-wide transcriptome analysis. Placental gene expression signatures associated with unfavorable maternal lipid concentrations may be potential pathways underlying later life offspring cardiometabolic traits. Clinical Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT00912132.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Ouidir
- Epidemiology Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Suvo Chatterjee
- Epidemiology Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Pauline Mendola
- Epidemiology Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.,Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Cuilin Zhang
- Epidemiology Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Katherine L Grantz
- Epidemiology Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Fasil Tekola-Ayele
- Epidemiology Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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4
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Guerrero-Santoro J, Khor JM, Açıkbaş AH, Jaynes JB, Ettensohn CA. Analysis of the DNA-binding properties of Alx1, an evolutionarily conserved regulator of skeletogenesis in echinoderms. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:100901. [PMID: 34157281 PMCID: PMC8319359 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Alx1, a homeodomain-containing transcription factor, is a highly conserved regulator of skeletogenesis in echinoderms. In sea urchins, Alx1 plays a central role in the differentiation of embryonic primary mesenchyme cells (PMCs) and positively regulates the transcription of most biomineralization genes expressed by these cells. The alx1 gene arose via duplication and acquired a skeletogenic function distinct from its paralog (alx4) through the exonization of a 41–amino acid motif (the D2 domain). Alx1 and Alx4 contain glutamine-50 paired-type homeodomains, which interact preferentially with palindromic binding sites in vitro. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) studies have shown, however, that Alx1 binds both to palindromic and half sites in vivo. To address this apparent discrepancy and explore the function of the D2 domain, we used an endogenous cis-regulatory module associated with Sp-mtmmpb, a gene that encodes a PMC-specific metalloprotease, to analyze the DNA-binding properties of Alx1. We find that Alx1 forms dimeric complexes on TAAT-containing half sites by a mechanism distinct from the well-known mechanism of dimerization on palindromic sites. We used transgenic reporter assays to analyze the functional roles of half sites in vivo and demonstrate that two sites with partially redundant functions are essential for the PMC-specific activity of the Sp-mtmmpb cis-regulatory module. Finally, we show that the D2 domain influences the DNA-binding properties of Alx1 in vitro, suggesting that the exonization of this motif may have facilitated the acquisition of new transcriptional targets and consequently a novel developmental function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jian Ming Khor
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ayşe Haruka Açıkbaş
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - James B Jaynes
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Charles A Ettensohn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
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5
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Lourenço C, Godinho C, Marinho M, Melo M, Nogueira R, Valente F. Prenatal diagnosis of isolated frontonasal dysplasia: A case report. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND : JCU 2021; 49:145-148. [PMID: 32374429 DOI: 10.1002/jcu.22861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We report a case of mild frontonasal dysplasia, a complex and rare malformation affecting the central portion of the face, especially the eyes, nose, and forehead, which was diagnosed at 20 weeks of gestation. The diagnosis was made by two- and four-dimensional ultrasound and confirmed at autopsy after pregnancy termination. A review of the literature is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cátia Lourenço
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| | - Cristina Godinho
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| | - Márcia Marinho
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| | - Mónica Melo
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| | | | - Francisco Valente
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
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6
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Zarzycki A, Thomas ZM, Mazrier H. Comparison of inherited neural tube defects in companion animals and livestock. Birth Defects Res 2020; 113:319-348. [PMID: 33615733 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are congenital malformations resulting from the improper or incomplete closure of the neural tube during embryonic development. A number of similar malformations of the protective coverings surrounding the central nervous system are also often included under this umbrella term, which may not strictly fit this definition. A range of NTD phenotypes exist and have been reported in humans and a wide range of domestic and livestock species. In the veterinary literature, these include cases of anencephaly, encephalocele, dermoid sinus, spina bifida, and craniorachischisis. While environmental factors have a role, genetic predisposition may account for a significant part of the risk of NTDs in these animal cases. Studies of laboratory model species (fish, birds, amphibians, and rodents) have been instrumental in improving our understanding of the neurulation process. In mice, over 200 genes that may be involved in this process have been identified and variant phenotypes investigated. Like laboratory mouse models, domestic animals and livestock species display a wide range of NTD phenotypes. They remain, however, a largely underutilized population and could complement already established laboratory models. Here we review reports of NTDs in companion animals and livestock, and compare these to other animal species and human cases. We aim to highlight the potential of nonlaboratory animal models for mutation discovery as well as general insights into the mechanisms of neurulation and the development of NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Zarzycki
- Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Zoe M Thomas
- Faculty of Science, Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Hamutal Mazrier
- Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Faculty of Science, Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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7
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Khor JM, Ettensohn CA. Transcription Factors of the Alx Family: Evolutionarily Conserved Regulators of Deuterostome Skeletogenesis. Front Genet 2020; 11:569314. [PMID: 33329706 PMCID: PMC7719703 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.569314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the alx gene family encode transcription factors that contain a highly conserved Paired-class, DNA-binding homeodomain, and a C-terminal OAR/Aristaless domain. Phylogenetic and comparative genomic studies have revealed complex patterns of alx gene duplications during deuterostome evolution. Remarkably, alx genes have been implicated in skeletogenesis in both echinoderms and vertebrates. In this review, we provide an overview of current knowledge concerning alx genes in deuterostomes. We highlight their evolutionarily conserved role in skeletogenesis and draw parallels and distinctions between the skeletogenic gene regulatory circuitries of diverse groups within the superphylum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Ming Khor
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Charles A Ettensohn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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8
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Weigele J, Bohnsack BL. Genetics Underlying the Interactions between Neural Crest Cells and Eye Development. J Dev Biol 2020; 8:jdb8040026. [PMID: 33182738 PMCID: PMC7712190 DOI: 10.3390/jdb8040026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The neural crest is a unique, transient stem cell population that is critical for craniofacial and ocular development. Understanding the genetics underlying the steps of neural crest development is essential for gaining insight into the pathogenesis of congenital eye diseases. The neural crest cells play an under-appreciated key role in patterning the neural epithelial-derived optic cup. These interactions between neural crest cells within the periocular mesenchyme and the optic cup, while not well-studied, are critical for optic cup morphogenesis and ocular fissure closure. As a result, microphthalmia and coloboma are common phenotypes in human disease and animal models in which neural crest cell specification and early migration are disrupted. In addition, neural crest cells directly contribute to numerous ocular structures including the cornea, iris, sclera, ciliary body, trabecular meshwork, and aqueous outflow tracts. Defects in later neural crest cell migration and differentiation cause a constellation of well-recognized ocular anterior segment anomalies such as Axenfeld–Rieger Syndrome and Peters Anomaly. This review will focus on the genetics of the neural crest cells within the context of how these complex processes specifically affect overall ocular development and can lead to congenital eye diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jochen Weigele
- Division of Ophthalmology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, 225 E. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA;
- Department of Ophthalmology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 645 N. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Brenda L. Bohnsack
- Division of Ophthalmology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, 225 E. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA;
- Department of Ophthalmology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 645 N. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-312-227-6180; Fax: +1-312-227-9411
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9
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Chen CH, Bournat JC, Wilken N, Rosenfeld JA, Zhang J, Seth A, Jorgez CJ. Variants in ALX4 and their association with genitourinary defects. Andrology 2020; 8:1243-1255. [PMID: 32385972 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genitourinary anomalies occur in approximately 1% of humans, but in most cases, the cause is unknown. Aristaless-like homeobox 4 (ALX4) is an important homeodomain transcription factor. ALX4 mutations in humans and mouse have been associated with craniofacial defects and genitourinary anomalies such as cryptorchidism and epispadias. OBJECTIVES To investigate the presence and the functional impact of ALX4 variants in patients with genitourinary defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two separate patient cohorts were analyzed. One includes clinical exome-sequencing (ES) data from 7500 individuals. The other includes 52 ALX4 Sanger-sequenced individuals with bladder exstrophy-epispadias complex (BEEC). Dual luciferase assays were conducted to investigate the functional transcriptional impact of ALX4 variants in HeLa cells and HEK293 cells. RESULTS A total of 41 distinct ALX4 heterozygous missense variants were identified in the ES cohort with 15 variants present as recurrent in multiple patients. p.G369E and p.L373F were the only two present in individuals with genitourinary defects. A p.L373F heterozygous variant was also identified in one of the 52 individuals in the BEEC cohort. p.L373F and p.G369E were tested in vitro as both are considered damaging by MutationTaster, although only p.G369E was considered damaging by PolyPhen-2. p.L373F did not alter transcriptional activity in HeLa and HEK293 cells. p.G369E caused a significant 3.4- and 1.8-fold decrease in transcriptional activities relative to wild-type ALX4 in HEK293 and HeLa cells, respectively. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Our study supports the idea that transcription factors like ALX4 could influence the normal development of the GU tract in humans as demonstrated in mouse models as ALX4 variant p.G369E (predicted pathogenic by multiple databases) affects ALX4 function in vitro. Variant p.L373F (predicted pathogenic by only MutationTaster) did not affect ALX4 function in vitro. Exon-sequence information and mouse genetics provide important insights into the complex mechanisms driving genitourinary defects allowing the association of transcriptional defects with congenital disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching H Chen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Juan C Bournat
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Nathan Wilken
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jill A Rosenfeld
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Baylor Genetics Laboratories, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jason Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Abhishek Seth
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Carolina J Jorgez
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
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10
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Ouidir M, Zeng X, Workalemahu T, Shrestha D, Grantz KL, Mendola P, Zhang C, Tekola-Ayele F. Early pregnancy dyslipidemia is associated with placental DNA methylation at loci relevant for cardiometabolic diseases. Epigenomics 2020; 12:921-934. [PMID: 32677467 PMCID: PMC7466909 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2019-0293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: To identify placental DNA methylation changes that are associated with early pregnancy maternal dyslipidemia. Materials & methods: We analyzed placental genome-wide DNA methylation (n = 262). Genes annotating differentially methylated CpGs were evaluated for gene expression in placenta (n = 64). Results: We found 11 novel significant differentially methylated CpGs associated with high total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. High triglycerides were associated with decreased methylation of cg02785814 (ALX4) and decreased expression of ALX4 in placenta. Genes annotating the differentially methylated CpGs play key roles in lipid metabolism and were enriched in dyslipidemia pathways. Functional annotation found cis-methylation quantitative trait loci for genetic loci in ALX4 and EXT2. Conclusion: Our findings lend novel insights into potential placental epigenetic mechanisms linked with maternal dyslipidemia. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00912132.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Ouidir
- Epidemiology Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-7004, USA
| | - Xuehuo Zeng
- Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-7004, USA
| | - Tsegaselassie Workalemahu
- Epidemiology Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-7004, USA
| | - Deepika Shrestha
- Epidemiology Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-7004, USA
| | - Katherine L. Grantz
- Epidemiology Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-7004, USA
| | - Pauline Mendola
- Epidemiology Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-7004, USA
| | - Cuilin Zhang
- Epidemiology Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-7004, USA
| | - Fasil Tekola-Ayele
- Epidemiology Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-7004, USA
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11
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Hussain S, Umm-E-Kalsoom, Ullah I, Liaqat K, Nawaz S, Ahmad W. A Novel Missense Variant in the ALX4 Gene Underlies Mild to Severe Frontonasal Dysplasia in a Consanguineous Family. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2020; 24:217-223. [PMID: 32216639 DOI: 10.1089/gtmb.2019.0203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Frontonasal dysplasia (FND) is a rare developmental disorder characterized by mild to severe changes in skull and brain structures. It is a phenotypically variable and heterogeneous disorder. This study was designed to provide a clinical and genetic analysis of FND in a consanguineous family of Pakistani origin. Methodology and Results: Affected individuals in the family showed characteristic features of frontonasal dysplasia type-2 (FND2), such as nasal bone hypoplasia, hypertelorism, and alopecia. Skull and brain imaging of affected members revealed ossification defects and various types of brain structural anomalies that created a split-brain. Sanger sequencing of the ALX4 gene revealed a homozygous missense variant [NM_021926.4: c.652C>T; p.(Arg218Trp)] in three affected members who demonstrated severe craniofacial anomalies. Heterozygous carriers in the family showed mild FND2 phenotypes. Conclusion: Clinical and genetic analysis of a family, exhibiting FND2 phenotypes, revealed several previously unreported clinical features and a novel missense variant in the ALX4 gene. These results will facilitate diagnosis and genetic counseling of the FND patients in the Pakistani population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabir Hussain
- Department of Biochemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Umm-E-Kalsoom
- Department of Biochemistry, Hazara University, Mansehra, Pakistan
| | - Irfan Ullah
- Department of Biological Sciences, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Upper Dir, Pakistan
| | - Khurram Liaqat
- Department of Biotechnology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Shoaib Nawaz
- Department of Biotechnology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Wasim Ahmad
- Department of Biochemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
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12
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El-Ruby M, El-Din Fayez A, El-Dessouky SH, Aglan MS, Mazen I, Ismail N, Afifi HH, Eid MM, Mostafa MI, Mehrez MI, Khalil Y, Zaki MS, Gaber KR, Abdel-Hamid MS, Abdel-Salam GMH. Identification of a novel homozygous ALX4 mutation in two unrelated patients with frontonasal dysplasia type-2. Am J Med Genet A 2019; 176:1190-1194. [PMID: 29681084 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.38655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Revised: 12/17/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
We report two unrelated boys with frontonasal dysplasias type-2 (FND-2) who shared an identical novel homozygous ALX4 mutation c.291delG (p.Q98Sfs*83). Both patients presented with a large skull defect but one had bilateral parietal meningocele-like cysts that lie along with the bony defect and increased in size with age. Scalp alopecia, hypertelorism, and clefted alae nasi were also detected in both of them. Furthermore, impalpable gonads were noted, being unilateral in one and bilateral in the other. Neuroimaging showed small dysplastic occipital lobes with dysgyria and midline subarachnoid cyst. Additional dysplastic corpus callosum and small cerebellar vermis were observed in one patient. Parietal foramina were noted in the parents of one patient. Our findings highlight the dosage effect of ALX4 and underscore the challenges of prenatal genetic counseling. Further, the indirect role of ALX4 in the development of the occipital lobe and posterior fossa is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona El-Ruby
- Clinical Genetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Alaa El-Din Fayez
- Medical Molecular Genetics and Enzymology Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Sara H El-Dessouky
- Prenatal Diagnosis and Fetal Medicine Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mona S Aglan
- Clinical Genetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Inas Mazen
- Clinical Genetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Nora Ismail
- Medical Molecular Genetics and Enzymology Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hanan H Afifi
- Clinical Genetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Maha M Eid
- Human Cytogenetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mostafa I Mostafa
- Orodental Genetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mennat I Mehrez
- Orodental Genetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Yasmin Khalil
- Orodental Genetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Maha S Zaki
- Clinical Genetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Khaled R Gaber
- Prenatal Diagnosis and Fetal Medicine Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed S Abdel-Hamid
- Medical Molecular Genetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ghada M H Abdel-Salam
- Clinical Genetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
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13
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Sewda A, White SR, Erazo M, Hao K, García-Fructuoso G, Fernández-Rodriguez I, Heuzé Y, Richtsmeier JT, Romitti PA, Reva B, Jabs EW, Peter I. Nonsyndromic craniosynostosis: novel coding variants. Pediatr Res 2019; 85:463-468. [PMID: 30651579 PMCID: PMC6398438 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-019-0274-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Craniosynostosis (CS), the premature fusion of one or more neurocranial sutures, is associated with approximately 200 syndromes; however, about 65-85% of patients present with no additional major birth defects. METHODS We conducted targeted next-generation sequencing of 60 known syndromic and other candidate genes in patients with sagittal nonsyndromic CS (sNCS, n = 40) and coronal nonsyndromic CS (cNCS, n = 19). RESULTS We identified 18 previously published and 5 novel pathogenic variants, including three de novo variants. Novel variants included a paternally inherited c.2209C>G:p.(Leu737Val) variant in BBS9 of a patient with cNCS. Common variants in BBS9, a gene required for ciliogenesis during cranial suture development, have been associated with sNCS risk in a previous genome-wide association study. We also identified c.313G>T:p.(Glu105*) variant in EFNB1 and c.435G>C:p.(Lys145Asn) variant in TWIST1, both in patients with cNCS. Mutations in EFNB1 and TWIST1 have been linked to craniofrontonasal and Saethre-Chotzen syndrome, respectively; both present with coronal CS. CONCLUSIONS We provide additional evidence that variants in genes implicated in syndromic CS play a role in isolated CS, supporting their inclusion in genetic panels for screening patients with NCS. We also identified a novel BBS9 variant that further shows the potential involvement of BBS9 in the pathogenesis of CS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anshuman Sewda
- Department of Genetics & Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Sierra R. White
- Department of Genetics & Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Monica Erazo
- Department of Genetics & Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Ke Hao
- Department of Genetics & Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | | | | | - Yann Heuzé
- University Bordeaux, CNRS, MCC, PACEA, UMR5199, Bordeaux Archaeological Sciences Cluster of Excellence, Pessac, France
| | - Joan T. Richtsmeier
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Paul A. Romitti
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Boris Reva
- Department of Genetics & Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Ethylin Wang Jabs
- Department of Genetics & Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Inga Peter
- Department of Genetics & Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
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14
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Sedykh I, Yoon B, Roberson L, Moskvin O, Dewey CN, Grinblat Y. Zebrafish zic2 controls formation of periocular neural crest and choroid fissure morphogenesis. Dev Biol 2017; 429:92-104. [PMID: 28689736 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Revised: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The vertebrate retina develops in close proximity to the forebrain and neural crest-derived cartilages of the face and jaw. Coloboma, a congenital eye malformation, is associated with aberrant forebrain development (holoprosencephaly) and with craniofacial defects (frontonasal dysplasia) in humans, suggesting a critical role for cross-lineage interactions during retinal morphogenesis. ZIC2, a zinc-finger transcription factor, is linked to human holoprosencephaly. We have previously used morpholino assays to show zebrafish zic2 functions in the developing forebrain, retina and craniofacial cartilage. We now report that zebrafish with genetic lesions in zebrafish zic2 orthologs, zic2a and zic2b, develop with retinal coloboma and craniofacial anomalies. We demonstrate a requirement for zic2 in restricting pax2a expression and show evidence that zic2 function limits Hh signaling. RNA-seq transcriptome analysis identified an early requirement for zic2 in periocular neural crest as an activator of alx1, a transcription factor with essential roles in craniofacial and ocular morphogenesis in human and zebrafish. Collectively, these data establish zic2 mutant zebrafish as a powerful new genetic model for in-depth dissection of cell interactions and genetic controls during craniofacial complex development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Sedykh
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Baul Yoon
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Genetics Ph. D. Training Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Laura Roberson
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Oleg Moskvin
- Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Colin N Dewey
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Yevgenya Grinblat
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA; McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
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15
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Dainezi VB, Das Neves LT, Da Silva Dalben G, Gomide MR. Tooth Abnormalities and Occlusal Disorders in Individuals with Frontonasal Dysplasia. Cleft Palate Craniofac J 2017; 54:304-308. [DOI: 10.1597/15-286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Frontonasal dysplasia is a rare developmental defect of the midface, and little is known about the dental involvement in individuals with this condition. This study investigated tooth abnormalities and occlusal disorders in individuals with frontonasal dysplasia. Design Cross-sectional. Setting Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil. Interventions Clinical oral examination, analysis of patient records, and panoramic radiographs. Participants A total of 20 individuals with frontonasal dysplasia aged 7 to 17 years. Main Outcome Measures Prevalence of the several tooth abnormalities and occlusal disorders analyzed. Results A total of 19 individuals presented at least one tooth abnormality, with highly variable findings. In radiographs, 20% of individuals (all presenting oral clefts) presented agenesis of lateral incisors and second premolars. No supernumerary teeth were observed; 65% of individuals exhibited occlusal alterations, especially anterior open bite in the two individuals with median cleft lip. Conclusions Variable clinical and radiographic alterations were observed, probably due to the large variety of phenotypic characteristics. No specific dental alteration could be related with frontonasal dysplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Benetello Dainezi
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucimara Teixeira Das Neves
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry and Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, University of São Paulo, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gisele Da Silva Dalben
- Pediatric and Community Dentistry Sector, Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, University of São Paulo, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcia Ribeiro Gomide
- Pediatric and Community Dentistry Sector, Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, University of São Paulo, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil
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16
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Farlie PG, Baker NL, Yap P, Tan TY. Frontonasal Dysplasia: Towards an Understanding of Molecular and Developmental Aetiology. Mol Syndromol 2016; 7:312-321. [PMID: 27920634 DOI: 10.1159/000450533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The complex anatomy of the skull and face arises from the requirement to support multiple sensory and structural functions. During embryonic development, the diverse component elements of the neuro- and viscerocranium must be generated independently and subsequently united in a manner that sustains and promotes the growth of the brain and sensory organs, while achieving a level of structural integrity necessary for the individual to become a free-living organism. While each of these individual craniofacial components is essential, the cranial and facial midline lies at a structural nexus that unites these disparately derived elements, fusing them into a whole. Defects of the craniofacial midline can have a profound impact on both form and function, manifesting in a diverse array of phenotypes and clinical entities that can be broadly defined as frontonasal dysplasias (FNDs). Recent advances in the identification of the genetic basis of FNDs along with the analysis of developmental mechanisms impacted by these mutations have dramatically altered our understanding of this complex group of conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter G Farlie
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | - Naomi L Baker
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | - Patrick Yap
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Service, Royal Children's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia; Genetic Health Service New Zealand (Northern Hub), Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Tiong Y Tan
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Service, Royal Children's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia
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17
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Saraç Sivrikoz T, Altunoglu U, Kalelioglu İH, Yüksel A, Uyguner OZ, Has R, Kayserili H. ALX4
related parietal foramina mimicking encephalocele in prenatal period. Prenat Diagn 2016; 36:591-3. [DOI: 10.1002/pd.4826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Accepted: 04/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tugba Saraç Sivrikoz
- Istanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Division of Perinatology; Istanbul University; Istanbul Turkey
| | - Umut Altunoglu
- Istanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Medical Genetics; Istanbul University; Istanbul Turkey
| | - İbrahim Halil Kalelioglu
- Istanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Division of Perinatology; Istanbul University; Istanbul Turkey
| | - Atıl Yüksel
- Istanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Division of Perinatology; Istanbul University; Istanbul Turkey
| | - Oya Zehra Uyguner
- Istanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Medical Genetics; Istanbul University; Istanbul Turkey
| | - Recep Has
- Istanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Division of Perinatology; Istanbul University; Istanbul Turkey
| | - Hülya Kayserili
- Istanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Medical Genetics; Istanbul University; Istanbul Turkey
- Department of Medical Genetics; Koc University School of Medicine (KUSOM); Istanbul Turkey
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18
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A 20 bp Duplication in Exon 2 of the Aristaless-Like Homeobox 4 Gene (ALX4) Is the Candidate Causative Mutation for Tibial Hemimelia Syndrome in Galloway Cattle. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0129208. [PMID: 26076463 PMCID: PMC4468193 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2015] [Accepted: 05/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aristaless-like homeobox 4 (ALX4) gene is an important transcription regulator in skull and limb development. In humans and mice ALX4 mutations or loss of function result in a number of skeletal and organ malformations, including polydactyly, tibial hemimelia, omphalocele, biparietal foramina, impaired mammary epithelial morphogenesis, alopecia, coronal craniosynostosis, hypertelorism, depressed nasal bridge and ridge, bifid nasal tip, hypogonadism, and body agenesis. Here we show that a complex skeletal malformation of the hind limb in Galloway cattle together with other developmental anomalies is a recessive autosomal disorder most likely caused by a duplication of 20 bp in exon 2 of the bovine ALX4 gene. A second duplication of 34 bp in exon 4 of the same gene has no known effect, although both duplications result in a frameshift and premature stop codon leading to a truncated protein. Genotyping of 1,688 Black/Red/Belted/Riggit Galloway (GA) and 289 White Galloway (WGA) cattle showed that the duplication in exon 2 has allele frequencies of 1% in GA and 6% in WGA and the duplication in exon 4 has frequencies of 23% in GA and 38% in WGA. Both duplications were not detected in 876 randomly selected German Holstein Friesian and 86 cattle of 21 other breeds. Hence, we have identified a candidate causative mutation for tibial hemimelia syndrome in Galloway cattle and selection against this mutation can be used to eliminate the mutant allele from the breed.
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19
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Meloni V, Moysés-Oliveira M, Melo M, Caneloi T, Dantas A, Soares M, Fock R, Rodrigues de Nicola P, Dias-da-Silva M, Melaragno M. Novel homozygousALX4mutation causing frontonasal dysplasia-2 in a patient with meningoencephalocele. Clin Genet 2015; 88:593-6. [DOI: 10.1111/cge.12595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2014] [Revised: 04/06/2015] [Accepted: 04/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- V.A. Meloni
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Genetics Division; Universidade Federal de São Paulo; São Paulo Brazil
| | - M. Moysés-Oliveira
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Genetics Division; Universidade Federal de São Paulo; São Paulo Brazil
| | - M.C.C. Melo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology; Universidade Federal de São Paulo; São Paulo Brazil
| | - T.P. Caneloi
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Genetics Division; Universidade Federal de São Paulo; São Paulo Brazil
| | - A.G. Dantas
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Genetics Division; Universidade Federal de São Paulo; São Paulo Brazil
| | - M.F.F. Soares
- Department of Imaging Diagnosis; Universidade Federal de São Paulo; São Paulo Brazil
| | - R. Fock
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Genetics Division; Universidade Federal de São Paulo; São Paulo Brazil
| | - P.D. Rodrigues de Nicola
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Genetics Division; Universidade Federal de São Paulo; São Paulo Brazil
| | - M.R. Dias-da-Silva
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology; Universidade Federal de São Paulo; São Paulo Brazil
| | - M.I. Melaragno
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Genetics Division; Universidade Federal de São Paulo; São Paulo Brazil
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Altunoglu U, Satkın B, Uyguner ZO, Kayserili H. Mild nasal clefting may be predictive for ALX4 heterozygotes. Am J Med Genet A 2014; 164A:2054-8. [PMID: 24764194 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.36578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2013] [Accepted: 03/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in ALX4 are responsible for enlarged parietal foramina, whereas patients with biallelic ALX4 mutations display a phenotypic spectrum of clinical findings, from mild to severe alopecia, cranium bifidum, hypertelorism, microphthalmia, with alar clefting being the pivotal sign in all affecteds. We report on four affected individuals in a three-generation family, displaying a phenotypic spectrum ranging from mild nasal clefting and broad columella to subtle changes in nasal configuration in addition to parietal foramina, caused by a novel ALX4 mutation (c.646C>G, p.Arg216Gly). This is the second report of a family showing vertical transmission of a dominant ALX4 mutation with facial involvement in addition to parietal foramina, mimicking mild recessive ALX4 phenotype. We discuss possible pathological mechanisms that may have lead to phenotypic variation in the family and challenges in genetic counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umut Altunoglu
- Medical Genetics Department, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
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