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Ultra-Rare Variants Identify Biological Pathways and Candidate Genes in the Pathobiology of Non-Syndromic Cleft Palate Only. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13020236. [PMID: 36830605 PMCID: PMC9953608 DOI: 10.3390/biom13020236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, many efforts have been made to elucidate the genetic causes of non-syndromic cleft palate (nsCPO), a complex congenital disease caused by the interaction of several genetic and environmental factors. Since genome-wide association studies have evidenced a minor contribution of common polymorphisms in nsCPO inheritance, we used whole exome sequencing data to explore the role of ultra-rare variants in this study. In a cohort of 35 nsCPO cases and 38 controls, we performed a gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and a hypergeometric test for assessing significant overlap between genes implicated in nsCPO pathobiology and genes enriched in ultra-rare variants in our cohort. GSEA highlighted an enrichment of ultra-rare variants in genes principally belonging to cytoskeletal protein binding pathway (Probability Density Function corrected p-value = 1.57 × 10-4); protein-containing complex binding pathway (p-value = 1.06 × 10-2); cell adhesion molecule binding pathway (p-value = 1.24 × 10-2); ECM-receptor interaction pathway (p-value = 1.69 × 10-2); and in the Integrin signaling pathway (p-value = 1.28 × 10-2). Two genes implicated in nsCPO pathobiology, namely COL2A1 and GLI3, ranked among the genes (n = 34) with nominal enrichment in the ultra-rare variant collapsing analysis (Fisher's exact test p-value < 0.05). These genes were also part of an independent list of genes highly relevant to nsCPO biology (n = 25). Significant overlap between the two sets of genes (hypergeometric test p-value = 5.86 × 10-3) indicated that enriched genes are likely to be implicated in physiological palate development and/or the pathological processes of oral clefting. In conclusion, ultra-rare variants collectively impinge on biological pathways crucial to nsCPO pathobiology and point to candidate genes that may contribute to the individual risk of disease. Sequencing can be an effective approach to identify candidate genes and pathways for nsCPO.
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Kim SE, Robles-Lopez K, Cao X, Liu K, Chothani PJ, Bhavani N, Rahman L, Mukhopadhyay S, Wlodarczyk BJ, Finnell RH. Wnt1 Lineage Specific Deletion of Gpr161 Results in Embryonic Midbrain Malformation and Failure of Craniofacial Skeletal Development. Front Genet 2021; 12:761418. [PMID: 34887903 PMCID: PMC8650154 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.761418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling regulates multiple morphogenetic processes during embryonic neurogenesis and craniofacial skeletal development. Gpr161 is a known negative regulator of Shh signaling. Nullizygous Gpr161 mice are embryonic lethal, presenting with structural defects involving the neural tube and the craniofacies. However, the lineage specific role of Gpr161 in later embryonic development has not been thoroughly investigated. We studied the Wnt1-Cre lineage specific role of Gpr161 during mouse embryonic development. We observed three major gross morphological phenotypes in Gpr161 cKO (Gpr161 f/f; Wnt1-Cre) fetuses; protrusive tectum defect, encephalocele, and craniofacial skeletal defect. The overall midbrain tissues were expanded and cell proliferation in ventricular zones of midbrain was increased in Gpr161 cKO fetuses, suggesting that protrusive tectal defects in Gpr161 cKO are secondary to the increased proliferation of midbrain neural progenitor cells. Shh signaling activity as well as upstream Wnt signaling activity were increased in midbrain tissues of Gpr161 cKO fetuses. RNA sequencing further suggested that genes in the Shh, Wnt, Fgf and Notch signaling pathways were differentially regulated in the midbrain of Gpr161 cKO fetuses. Finally, we determined that cranial neural crest derived craniofacial bone formation was significantly inhibited in Gpr161 cKO fetuses, which partly explains the development of encephalocele. Our results suggest that Gpr161 plays a distinct role in midbrain development and in the formation of the craniofacial skeleton during mouse embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Eun Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Karla Robles-Lopez
- Department of Pediatrics, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, United States.,Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Xuanye Cao
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Kristyn Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Pooja J Chothani
- Department of Pediatrics, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Nikitha Bhavani
- Department of Pediatrics, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Lauren Rahman
- Department of Pediatrics, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Saikat Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Bogdan J Wlodarczyk
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Richard H Finnell
- Department of Pediatrics, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, United States.,Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Departments of Molecular and Human Genetics and Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
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Zhang J, Li S, Ma S, Liu Y, Wang X, Li Y. Whole‑exome sequencing study identifies two novel rare variations associated with congenital talipes equinovarus. Mol Med Rep 2020; 21:2597-2602. [PMID: 32236576 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2020.11038] [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] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) is a common birth defect with an unclear genetic pathogenesis that results from both genetic and environmental factors. The present study aimed to identify novel variants in patients with CTEV using whole‑exome sequencing (WES) and to investigate the genetic factors responsible for the development of CTEV.A cohort of nine neonates/infants with suspected CTEV was recruited. Subsequently, sequential tests, including chromosome karyotyping and WES, were performed for each of the participants. Familial validation was performed using Sanger sequencing and low‑coverage copy‑number variation (CNV) sequencing. A novel CNV containing the mediator complex subunit 13L gene at 12q24.21‑q24.23 was detected by WES and further investigated by CNVseq. Additionally, a novel de novo missense variation, transforming growth factor‑β receptor 2: c.1280T>C, was identified by WES and further investigated by Sanger sequencing. The two identified variations were hypothesized to be causative genetic factors for the development of CTEV in the two cases the variations were identified in. In the present study, two pathogenic variations (one CNV and one single‑base variation) were detected in two Chinese families with CTEV. The results of the present study may aid in investigating the molecular basis of CTEV; however, further investigation is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Center of Prenatal Diagnosis, Shijiazhuang Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050011, P.R. China
| | - Shang Li
- Department of Anesthesiology and Operating Room, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, P.R. China
| | - Suling Ma
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, P.R. China
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Pediatric Orthopedics, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050051, P.R. China
| | - Xuan Wang
- Department of Pediatric Orthopedics, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050051, P.R. China
| | - Yazhou Li
- Department of Pediatric Orthopedics, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050051, P.R. China
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Reynolds K, Kumari P, Sepulveda Rincon L, Gu R, Ji Y, Kumar S, Zhou CJ. Wnt signaling in orofacial clefts: crosstalk, pathogenesis and models. Dis Model Mech 2019; 12:12/2/dmm037051. [PMID: 30760477 PMCID: PMC6398499 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.037051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Diverse signaling cues and attendant proteins work together during organogenesis, including craniofacial development. Lip and palate formation starts as early as the fourth week of gestation in humans or embryonic day 9.5 in mice. Disruptions in these early events may cause serious consequences, such as orofacial clefts, mainly cleft lip and/or cleft palate. Morphogenetic Wnt signaling, along with other signaling pathways and transcription regulation mechanisms, plays crucial roles during embryonic development, yet the signaling mechanisms and interactions in lip and palate formation and fusion remain poorly understood. Various Wnt signaling and related genes have been associated with orofacial clefts. This Review discusses the role of Wnt signaling and its crosstalk with cell adhesion molecules, transcription factors, epigenetic regulators and other morphogenetic signaling pathways, including the Bmp, Fgf, Tgfβ, Shh and retinoic acid pathways, in orofacial clefts in humans and animal models, which may provide a better understanding of these disorders and could be applied towards prevention and treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt Reynolds
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.,Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (BMCDB) Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Priyanka Kumari
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Lessly Sepulveda Rincon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Ran Gu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Yu Ji
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.,Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (BMCDB) Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Santosh Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Chengji J Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA .,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.,Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (BMCDB) Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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