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Buckley M, Terwagne C, Ganner A, Cubitt L, Brewer R, Kim DK, Kajba CM, Forrester N, Dace P, De Jonghe J, Shepherd STC, Sawyer C, McEwen M, Diederichs S, Neumann-Haefelin E, Turajlic S, Ivakine EA, Findlay GM. Saturation genome editing maps the functional spectrum of pathogenic VHL alleles. Nat Genet 2024; 56:1446-1455. [PMID: 38969834 PMCID: PMC11250436 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-024-01800-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
To maximize the impact of precision medicine approaches, it is critical to identify genetic variants underlying disease and to accurately quantify their functional effects. A gene exemplifying the challenge of variant interpretation is the von Hippel-Lindautumor suppressor (VHL). VHL encodes an E3 ubiquitin ligase that regulates the cellular response to hypoxia. Germline pathogenic variants in VHL predispose patients to tumors including clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and pheochromocytoma, and somatic VHL mutations are frequently observed in sporadic renal cancer. Here we optimize and apply saturation genome editing to assay nearly all possible single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) across VHL's coding sequence. To delineate mechanisms, we quantify mRNA dosage effects and compare functional effects in isogenic cell lines. Function scores for 2,268 VHL SNVs identify a core set of pathogenic alleles driving ccRCC with perfect accuracy, inform differential risk across tumor types and reveal new mechanisms by which variants impact function. These results have immediate utility for classifying VHL variants encountered clinically and illustrate how precise functional measurements can resolve pleiotropic and dosage-dependent genotype-phenotype relationships across complete genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Buckley
- The Genome Function Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Chloé Terwagne
- The Genome Function Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Athina Ganner
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Laura Cubitt
- The Genome Function Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Reid Brewer
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dong-Kyu Kim
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christina M Kajba
- The Genome Function Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Nicole Forrester
- The Genome Function Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Phoebe Dace
- The Genome Function Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Joachim De Jonghe
- The Genome Function Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Scott T C Shepherd
- The Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Renal and Skin Units, The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK
- Melanoma and Kidney Cancer Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Chelsea Sawyer
- Scientific Computing, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Mairead McEwen
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sven Diederichs
- Division of Cancer Research, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Freiburg, A Partnership Between DKFZ and University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Elke Neumann-Haefelin
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Samra Turajlic
- The Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Renal and Skin Units, The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK
- Melanoma and Kidney Cancer Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Evgueni A Ivakine
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gregory M Findlay
- The Genome Function Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
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Landen L, De Leener A, Le Roux M, Brichard B, Aydin S, Maiter D, Lysy PA. Case Report: Aggressive neural crest tumors in a child with familial von Hippel Lindau syndrome associated with a germline VHL mutation (c.414A>G) and a novel KIF1B gene mutation. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1204793. [PMID: 37564981 PMCID: PMC10411570 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1204793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Von Hippel Lindau (VHL) syndrome is caused by an autosomal dominant hereditary or sporadic germline mutation of the VHL gene with more than five hundred pathogenic mutations identified. Pheochromocytomas and rarely paragangliomas occur in 10-50% of patients with VHL syndrome usually around 30 years of age and exceptionally before the age of 10. Case presentation We diagnosed a 9-year-old girl of normal appearance and severe refractory hypertension, with a norepinephrine-secreting pheochromocytoma related to VHL syndrome due to a known familial germline heterozygous mutation of VHL gene (c.414A>G), also present in three members of her family. At age 13, a pelvic tumor and a left adrenal pheochromocytoma that showed to be multi-metastatic to both lungs were discovered in the patient leading to left adrenalectomy and pelvic tumor resection. In addition to the germline VHL gene mutation, blood analysis using Next Generation Sequencing identified a novel heterozygous germline mutation of the KIF1B gene (c.3331_3332del; p.Asn1111Glnfs*21), which is only present in the girl and not the other family members. The patient is currently under steroid substitution therapy and leads a normal life. Discussion This family is notable by the early age of onset of multiple neural crest tumors associated with a high propensity for malignancy and metastatic spread. Most reports in the literature associated the VHL mutation with a later onset in adulthood and a benign course, which contrast with our findings and question the role of this mutation in the phenotype expressed in this kindred. Also, the presence of concomitant mutations in two susceptibility genes for neural crest tumors poses the question of their respective roles in the development of tumors in this family. Our familial case description illustrates the potential for systematic use of targeted Next Generation Sequencing with multi-gene panels in patients with neural crest tumors to confirm the role of known susceptibility genes as well as identifying new ones, but also to contribute to comprehensive databases on gene variants and their phenotypic counterparts in this specific area of medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Landen
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Specialized Pediatrics Service, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Anne De Leener
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Manon Le Roux
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bénédicte Brichard
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Selda Aydin
- Division of Pathology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Dominique Maiter
- Division of Endocrinology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Philippe A. Lysy
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Specialized Pediatrics Service, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Brussels, Belgium
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Gimenez-Roqueplo AP, Robledo M, Dahia PLM. Update on the genetics of paragangliomas. Endocr Relat Cancer 2023; 30:e220373. [PMID: 36748842 PMCID: PMC10029328 DOI: 10.1530/erc-22-0373] [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: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Paragangliomas (PGL) of the adrenal (also known as pheochromocytomas) or extra-adrenal neural crest-derived cells are highly heritable tumors, usually driven by single pathogenic variants that occur mutually exclusively in genes involved in multiple cellular processes, including the response to hypoxia, MAPK/ERK signaling, and WNT signaling. The discovery of driver mutations has led to active clinical surveillance with outcome implications in familial PGL. The spectrum of mutations continues to grow and reveal unique mechanisms of tumorigenesis that inform tumor biology and provide the rationale for targeted therapy. Here we review recent progress in the genetics and molecular pathogenesis of PGLs and discuss new prospects for advancing research with new disease models and ongoing clinical trials presented at the recent International Symposium of Pheochromocytomas and Paragangliomas (ISP2022) held in October 2022 in Prague.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Paule Gimenez-Roqueplo
- Université Paris Cité, PARCC, INSERM, Paris, France
- Département de Médecine Génomique des Tumeurs et des Cancers, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Paris, France
| | - Mercedes Robledo
- Hereditary Endocrine Cancer Group, Human Cancer Genetics Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia L M Dahia
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA), San Antonio, Texas, USA
- Mays Cancer Center at UTHSCSA, San Antonio, Texas, USA
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Sarkar A, Panati K, Narala VR. Code inside the codon: The role of synonymous mutations in regulating splicing machinery and its impact on disease. MUTATION RESEARCH. REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2022; 790:108444. [PMID: 36307006 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2022.108444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
In eukaryotes, precise pre-mRNA processing, including alternative splicing, is essential to carry out the intricate protein translation process. Both point mutations (that alter the translated protein sequence) and synonymous mutations (that do not alter the translated protein sequence) are capable of affecting the splicing process. Synonymous mutations are known to affect gene expression via altering mRNA stability, mRNA secondary structure, splicing processes, and translational kinetics. In higher eukaryotes, precise splicing is regulated by three weakly conserved cis-elements, 5' and 3' splice sites and the branch site. Many other cis-acting elements (exonic/intronic splicing enhancers and silencers) and trans-acting splicing factors (serine and arginine-rich proteins and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins) have also been found to enhance or suppress the splicing process. The appearance of synonymous mutations in cis-acting elements can alter the splicing process by changing the binding pattern of splicing factors to exonic splicing enhancers or silencer motifs. This results in exon skipping, intron retention, and various other forms of alternative splicing, eventually leading to the emergence of a wide range of diseases. The focus of this review is to elucidate the role of synonymous mutations and their impact on abnormal splicing mechanisms. Further, this study highlights the function of synonymous mutation in mediating abnormal splicing in cancer and development of X-linked, and autosomal inherited diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avik Sarkar
- Department of Zoology, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, West Bengal 721102, India
| | - Kalpana Panati
- Department of Biotechnology, Government College for Men, Kadapa 516004, India
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Kaissarian NM, Meyer D, Kimchi-Sarfaty C. Synonymous Variants: Necessary Nuance in our Understanding of Cancer Drivers and Treatment Outcomes. J Natl Cancer Inst 2022; 114:1072-1094. [PMID: 35477782 PMCID: PMC9360466 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djac090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Once called "silent mutations" and assumed to have no effect on protein structure and function, synonymous variants are now recognized to be drivers for some cancers. There have been significant advances in our understanding of the numerous mechanisms by which synonymous single nucleotide variants (sSNVs) can affect protein structure and function by affecting pre-mRNA splicing, mRNA expression, stability, folding, miRNA binding, translation kinetics, and co-translational folding. This review highlights the need for considering sSNVs in cancer biology to gain a better understanding of the genetic determinants of human cancers and to improve their diagnosis and treatment. We surveyed the literature for reports of sSNVs in cancer and found numerous studies on the consequences of sSNVs on gene function with supporting in vitro evidence. We also found reports of sSNVs that have statistically significant associations with specific cancer types but for which in vitro studies are lacking to support the reported associations. Additionally, we found reports of germline and somatic sSNVs that were observed in numerous clinical studies and for which in silico analysis predicts possible effects on gene function. We provide a review of these investigations and discuss necessary future studies to elucidate the mechanisms by which sSNVs disrupt protein function and are play a role in tumorigeneses, cancer progression, and treatment efficacy. As splicing dysregulation is one of the most well recognized mechanisms by which sSNVs impact protein function, we also include our own in silico analysis for predicting which sSNVs may disrupt pre-mRNA splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayiri M Kaissarian
- Hemostasis Branch, Division of Plasma Protein Therapeutics, Office of Tissues and Advanced Therapies, Center for Biologics Evaluation & Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Douglas Meyer
- Hemostasis Branch, Division of Plasma Protein Therapeutics, Office of Tissues and Advanced Therapies, Center for Biologics Evaluation & Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Chava Kimchi-Sarfaty
- Hemostasis Branch, Division of Plasma Protein Therapeutics, Office of Tissues and Advanced Therapies, Center for Biologics Evaluation & Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
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Zeng Z, Bromberg Y. Inferring Potential Cancer Driving Synonymous Variants. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:778. [PMID: 35627162 PMCID: PMC9140830 DOI: 10.3390/genes13050778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Synonymous single nucleotide variants (sSNVs) are often considered functionally silent, but a few cases of cancer-causing sSNVs have been reported. From available databases, we collected four categories of sSNVs: germline, somatic in normal tissues, somatic in cancerous tissues, and putative cancer drivers. We found that screening sSNVs for recurrence among patients, conservation of the affected genomic position, and synVep prediction (synVep is a machine learning-based sSNV effect predictor) recovers cancer driver variants (termed proposed drivers) and previously unknown putative cancer genes. Of the 2.9 million somatic sSNVs found in the COSMIC database, we identified 2111 proposed cancer driver sSNVs. Of these, 326 sSNVs could be further tagged for possible RNA splicing effects, RNA structural changes, and affected RBP motifs. This list of proposed cancer driver sSNVs provides computational guidance in prioritizing the experimental evaluation of synonymous mutations found in cancers. Furthermore, our list of novel potential cancer genes, galvanized by synonymous mutations, may highlight yet unexplored cancer mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zishuo Zeng
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08873, USA
| | - Yana Bromberg
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08873, USA
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
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Jin P, Yan K, Ye S, Qian Y, Wu Z, Wang M, Xu Y, Xu Y, Dong M. Case Report: A Synonymous Mutation in NF1 Located at the Non-canonical Splicing Site Leading to Exon 45 Skipping. Front Genet 2021; 12:772958. [PMID: 34868260 PMCID: PMC8640503 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.772958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Synonymous mutations are generally considered non-pathogenic because it did not alter the amino acids of the encoded protein. Publications of the associations between synonymous mutations and abnormal splicing have increased recently, however, not much observations available described the synonymous mutations at the non-canonical splicing sites leading to abnormal splicing. In this pedigree, the proband was diagnosed Neurofibromatosis type I due to the presence of typical cafe’ au lait macules and pectus carinatum. Whole-exome sequencing identified a synonymous mutation c.6795C > T (p.N2265N) of the NF1 gene which was located at the non-canonical splicing sites. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction followed by Sanger sequencing was carried out, and the skipping of exon 45 was observed. Therefore, the pathogenicity of the synonymous mutation c.6795C > T was confirmed. Our finding expanded the spectrum of pathogenic mutations in Neurofibromatosis type I and provided information for genetic counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengzhen Jin
- Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kai Yan
- Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Zhejiang University), Ministry of Education, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shaofen Ye
- Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yeqing Qian
- Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Zhejiang University), Ministry of Education, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zaigui Wu
- Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Miaomiao Wang
- Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuqing Xu
- Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yanfei Xu
- Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Minyue Dong
- Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Zhejiang University), Ministry of Education, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
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