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Rodrigues B, Sousa V, Yrigollen CM, Tassone F, Villate O, Allen EG, Glicksman A, Tortora N, Nolin SL, Nogueira AJA, Jorge P. FMR1 allelic complexity in premutation carriers provides no evidence for a correlation with age at amenorrhea. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2024; 22:71. [PMID: 38907244 PMCID: PMC11191145 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-024-01227-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Premutations in the Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) gene, defined as between 55 and 200 CGGs, have been implicated in fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency (FXPOI). Only 20% of female premutation carriers develop early ovulatory dysfunction, the reason for this incomplete penetrance is unknown. This study validated the mathematical model in premutation alleles, after assigning each allele a score representing allelic complexity. Subsequently, allelic scores were used to investigate the impact of allele complexity on age at amenorrhea for 58 premutation cases (116 alleles) previously published. METHODS The allelic score was determined using a formula previously described by our group. The impact of each allelic score on age at amenorrhea was analyzed using Pearson's test and a contour plot generated to visualize the effect. RESULTS Correlation of allelic score revealed two distinct complexity behaviors in premutation alleles. No significant correlation was observed between the allelic score of premutation alleles and age at amenorrhea. The same lack of significant correlation was observed regarding normal-sized alleles, despite a nearly significant trend. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the use of allelic scores combination have the potential to explain female infertility, namely the development of FXPOI, or ovarian dysfunction, despite the lack of correlation with age at amenorrhea. Such a finding is of great clinical significance for early identification of females at risk of ovulatory dysfunction, enhancement of fertility preservation techniques, and increasing the probability for a successful pregnancy in females with premutations. Additional investigation is necessary to validate this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara Rodrigues
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Laboratory Genetics Service, Genetics and Pathology Clinic, Unidade Local de Saúde de Santo António (ULSSA), Porto, Portugal
- UMIB - Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, ICBAS - School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, UPorto - University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ITR - Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal
| | - Vanessa Sousa
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Laboratory Genetics Service, Genetics and Pathology Clinic, Unidade Local de Saúde de Santo António (ULSSA), Porto, Portugal
- UMIB - Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, ICBAS - School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, UPorto - University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ITR - Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal
- Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Microscopy, ICBAS - School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, UPorto - University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Carolyn M Yrigollen
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Flora Tassone
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Stockton Blvd, USA
- MIND Institute, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Olatz Villate
- Pediatric Oncology Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Biscay, Basque Country, Spain
| | - Emily G Allen
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Anne Glicksman
- New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nicole Tortora
- New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sarah L Nolin
- New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, New York, NY, USA
| | - António J A Nogueira
- CESAM - Center for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Paula Jorge
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Laboratory Genetics Service, Genetics and Pathology Clinic, Unidade Local de Saúde de Santo António (ULSSA), Porto, Portugal.
- UMIB - Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, ICBAS - School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, UPorto - University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
- ITR - Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal.
- Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Microscopy, ICBAS - School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, UPorto - University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
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Carriage of One or Two FMR1 Premutation Alleles Seems to Have No Effect on Illness Severity in a FXTAS Female with an Autozygous FMR1 Premutation Allele. THE CEREBELLUM 2016; 15:570-7. [PMID: 27315125 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-016-0783-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a late-onset neurodegenerative disorder that occurs in FMR1 premutation carriers. The prevalence of FMR1 premutation carriers in the general population is relatively high, and although rare, a premutation in both X chromosomes may occur in females inheriting a premutation allele from each of both parent carriers. Here, we report the first female with an autozygous (homozygous by descendent) FMR1 premutation allele, who fulfills neurological and radiological FXTAS findings/criteria. Molecular characterization included CGG repeat length, AGG interruption pattern, FMR1 messenger RNA (mRNA), fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) level quantification, and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) microarray. Neuroradiological assessment of 3-T magnetic resonance imaging and neurological and cognitive/neuropsychological evaluations were performed. Neurological and neuroradiological examination of the female with the same FMR1 allele in the premutation range (77 CGGs) demonstrated FXTAS features. Further familial evaluation showed a similar neuropsychiatric profile, with impairments in cognitive flexibility and visuospatial function, mainly. A unique family with an autozygous FMR1 premutation female is presented. Neurological/cognitive and neuroradiological examinations revealed FXTAS-specific findings in the female with the autozygous FMR1 premutation allele. The consistent molecular and cognitive/psychiatric phenotype in family members suggests that carrying one or two FMR1 premutation alleles has no effect on illness severity.
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Muzar Z, Lozano R. Current research, diagnosis, and treatment of fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome. Intractable Rare Dis Res 2014; 3:101-9. [PMID: 25606360 PMCID: PMC4298640 DOI: 10.5582/irdr.2014.01029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2014] [Accepted: 11/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is caused by a premutation CGG-repeat expansion in the 5'UTR of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene. The classical clinical manifestations include tremor, cerebellar ataxia, cognitive decline and psychiatric disorders. Other less frequent features are peripheral neuropathy and autonomic dysfunction. Cognitive decline, a form of frontal subcortical dementia, memory loss and executive function deficits are also characteristics of this disorder. In this review, we present an expansion of recommendations for genetic testing for adults with suspected premutation disorders and provide an update of the clinical, radiological and molecular research of FXTAS, as well as the current research in the treatment for this intractable complex neurodegenerative genetic disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zukhrofi Muzar
- UC Davis MIND Institute and Department of Pediatrics, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Reymundo Lozano
- UC Davis MIND Institute and Department of Pediatrics, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Address correspondence to: Dr. Reymundo Lozano, UC Davis MIND Institute and Department of Pediatrics, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA. E-mail:
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