Novel PIK3R1 mutation of SHORT syndrome: A case report with a 6-month follow up

Analysis of Methylome, Transcriptome, and Lipid Metabolites to Understand the Molecular Abnormalities in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Purpose

This study aimed to identify differentially methylated genes (DMGs) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) to investigate new biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods

To explore the potential biomarkers of PCOS diagnosis and treatment, we performed methyl-binding domain sequencing (MBD-seq) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) on ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) from PCOS patients and healthy controls. MBD-seq was also performed on the ovarian tissue of constructed prenatally androgenized (PNA) mice. Differential methylation and expression analysis were implemented to identify DMGs and DEGs, respectively. The identified gene was further verified by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and methylation-specific PCR (MSP) in clinical samples. Furthermore, ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) was carried out on PCOS patients and healthy controls to identify differential lipid metabolites.

Results

Compared to the control group, 13,526 DMGs related to the promoter region and 2429 DEGs were found. The function analysis of DMGs and DEGs showed that they were mainly enriched in glycerophospholipid, ovarian steroidogenesis, and other lipid metabolic pathways. Moreover, 5753 genes in DMGs related to the promoter region were screened in the constructed PNA mice. Integrating the DMGs data from PCOS patients and PNA mice, we identified the following 8 genes: CDC42EP4, ERMN, EZR, PIK3R1, ARHGEF18, NECTIN2, TSC2, and TACSTD2. RT-qPCR and MSP verification results showed that the methylation and expression of TACSTD2 were consistent with sequencing data. Additionally, 15 differential lipid metabolites were shown in the serum of PCOS patients. The differential lipids were involved in glycerophospholipid and glycerolipid metabolism.

Conclusion

Using integration of methylome and lipid metabolites profiling we identified 8 potential epigenetic markers and 15 potential lipid metabolite markers for PCOS. Our results suggest that aberrant DNA methylation and lipid metabolite disorders may provide novel insights into the diagnosis and etiology of PCOS.

SHORT syndrome with microcephaly and developmental delay

We report a boy with typical clinical features of SHORT syndrome alongside a significant microcephaly and severe developmental delay associated with a de novo single nucleotide missense DNA variant resulting in a single amino acid change in codon 486 of the PIK3R1 gene (PIK3R1 c.1456G>A (p.Ala486Thr)). Our report strikingly coincides with another recently published case from Brazil, describing a 23-year-old woman with the same de novo PIK3R1 DNA variant, who also exhibits SHORT syndrome with severe secondary microcephaly and intellectual disability. On review of the literature, we have identified further cases of PIK3R1-related SHORT Syndrome with a similar phenotype. We note all these cases (including ours) have variants located in the -inter SH2 domain (iSH2); we speculate that pathogenic iSH2 located PIK3R1 variants are associated with a different and otherwise unreported clinical picture of SHORT syndrome that presents with microcephaly and/or significant developmental delay/intellectual disability. The pathogenic mechanism of why these variants apparently lead to a different clinical picture of SHORT syndrome remains unknown.

SHORT Syndrome: an Update on Pathogenesis and Clinical Spectrum

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review describes the unique pathogenesis of SHORT syndrome, a rare genetic form of insulin resistance syndrome, and recent advances in understanding the underlying mechanisms. SHORT syndrome results from dysfunction of PI3K, but the mechanisms behind the clinical manifestations are not entirely understood. Elucidating these mechanisms may contribute to the understanding of the roles of insulin signaling and PI3K signaling in humans. There are paucity of data on treatment and outcomes.

RECENT FINDINGS

The clinical spectrum of the disorder appears wider than previously understood, and overlaps with other clinical syndromes. PI3K malfunction is associated with insulin resistance, decreased lipogenesis, increased energy expenditure, and possible IGF1 resistance. SHORT syndrome may be underdiagnosed, and should be considered in individuals with growth failure, craniofacial dysmorphism, and lipodystrophy. Much is still unknown about the optimal management and long-term outcomes.

Brain transcriptome analysis reveals genes involved in parental care behaviour in discus fish (Symphysodon haraldi)

Parental care is common in mammals and allows offspring to obtain milk, a substance rich in a range of nutritional and non-nutritional factors crucial to the survival of newborns. The discus fish Symphysodon spp., an Amazonian cichlid, shows an unusual behaviour: Free-swimming fry bite on their parents' skin mucus for growth and development during the first month after hatching. This is similar to the breastfeeding behaviour of mammals, but little is known about the regulatory mechanism by which discus secrete 'milk' and the related genes involved in parental care. Here, transcriptome sequencing was performed by using the brain tissues of female discus fish in parental and non-parental care. The results showed that a total of 86 differentially expressed genes (71 up-regulated genes and 15 down-regulated genes) were obtained by comparing parental with non-parental discus fish, including up-regulated LAPTM, FOXB, SOX1S, OTX2 and NR1F2, and down-regulated EDNRB, PRKCD, H1-5 and HBE. Through functional enrichment analysis, a total of 20 pathways were identified, e.g., estrogen signaling pathway, inflammatory mediator regulation of TRP channels, vascular smooth muscle contraction, GnRH signaling pathway, neurotrophin signaling pathway, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, Jak-STAT signaling pathway, Fc gamma R-mediated phagocytosis, serotonergic synapse, autophagy-animal and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. These pathways and related genes might play important roles in the regulation of discus 'milk' secretion.