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Parmar JM, Laing NG, Kennerson ML, Ravenscroft G. Genetics of inherited peripheral neuropathies and the next frontier: looking backwards to progress forwards. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2024:jnnp-2024-333436. [PMID: 38744462 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2024-333436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Inherited peripheral neuropathies (IPNs) encompass a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of disorders causing length-dependent degeneration of peripheral autonomic, motor and/or sensory nerves. Despite gold-standard diagnostic testing for pathogenic variants in over 100 known associated genes, many patients with IPN remain genetically unsolved. Providing patients with a diagnosis is critical for reducing their 'diagnostic odyssey', improving clinical care, and for informed genetic counselling. The last decade of massively parallel sequencing technologies has seen a rapid increase in the number of newly described IPN-associated gene variants contributing to IPN pathogenesis. However, the scarcity of additional families and functional data supporting variants in potential novel genes is prolonging patient diagnostic uncertainty and contributing to the missing heritability of IPNs. We review the last decade of IPN disease gene discovery to highlight novel genes, structural variation and short tandem repeat expansions contributing to IPN pathogenesis. From the lessons learnt, we provide our vision for IPN research as we anticipate the future, providing examples of emerging technologies, resources and tools that we propose that will expedite the genetic diagnosis of unsolved IPN families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jevin M Parmar
- Rare Disease Genetics and Functional Genomics, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Centre for Medical Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Nigel G Laing
- Centre for Medical Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Preventive Genetics, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Marina L Kennerson
- Northcott Neuroscience Laboratory, ANZAC Research Institute, Concord, New South Wales, Australia
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, Concord Hospital, Concord, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Gianina Ravenscroft
- Rare Disease Genetics and Functional Genomics, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Centre for Medical Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Willsey HR, Seaby EG, Godwin A, Ennis S, Guille M, Grainger RM. Modelling human genetic disorders in Xenopus tropicalis. Dis Model Mech 2024; 17:dmm050754. [PMID: 38832520 PMCID: PMC11179720 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050754] [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] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent progress in human disease genetics is leading to rapid advances in understanding pathobiological mechanisms. However, the sheer number of risk-conveying genetic variants being identified demands in vivo model systems that are amenable to functional analyses at scale. Here we provide a practical guide for using the diploid frog species Xenopus tropicalis to study many genes and variants to uncover conserved mechanisms of pathobiology relevant to human disease. We discuss key considerations in modelling human genetic disorders: genetic architecture, conservation, phenotyping strategy and rigour, as well as more complex topics, such as penetrance, expressivity, sex differences and current challenges in the field. As the patient-driven gene discovery field expands significantly, the cost-effective, rapid and higher throughput nature of Xenopus make it an essential member of the model organism armamentarium for understanding gene function in development and in relation to disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Rankin Willsey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub - San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94518, USA
| | - Eleanor G Seaby
- Genomic Informatics Group, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Annie Godwin
- European Xenopus Resource Centre (EXRC), School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 2DY, UK
| | - Sarah Ennis
- Genomic Informatics Group, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Matthew Guille
- European Xenopus Resource Centre (EXRC), School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 2DY, UK
| | - Robert M Grainger
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA
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Yaguchi H, Melamed A, Ramanayake S, Kiik H, Witkover A, Bangham CRM. The impact of HTLV-1 expression on the 3D structure and expression of host chromatin. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1011716. [PMID: 38427693 PMCID: PMC10936777 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
A typical HTLV-1-infected individual carries >104 different HTLV-1-infected T cell clones, each with a single-copy provirus integrated in a unique genomic site. We previously showed that the HTLV-1 provirus causes aberrant transcription in the flanking host genome and, by binding the chromatin architectural protein CTCF, forms abnormal chromatin loops with the host genome. However, it remained unknown whether these effects were exerted simply by the presence of the provirus or were induced by its transcription. To answer this question, we sorted HTLV-1-infected T-cell clones into cells positive or negative for proviral plus-strand expression, and then quantified host and provirus transcription using RNA-seq, and chromatin looping using quantitative chromosome conformation capture (q4C), in each cell population. We found that proviral plus-strand transcription induces aberrant transcription and splicing in the flanking genome but suppresses aberrant chromatin loop formation with the nearby host chromatin. Reducing provirus-induced host transcription with an inhibitor of transcriptional elongation allows recovery of chromatin loops in the plus-strand-expressing population. We conclude that aberrant host transcription induced by proviral expression causes temporary, reversible disruption of chromatin looping in the vicinity of the provirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroko Yaguchi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anat Melamed
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Saumya Ramanayake
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Helen Kiik
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Aviva Witkover
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Charles R. M. Bangham
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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de Boer E, Marcelis C, Neveling K, van Beusekom E, Hoischen A, Klein WM, de Leeuw N, Mantere T, Melo US, van Reeuwijk J, Smeets D, Spielmann M, Kleefstra T, van Bokhoven H, Vissers LE. A complex structural variant near SOX3 causes X-linked split-hand/foot malformation. HGG ADVANCES 2023; 4:100200. [PMID: 37216008 PMCID: PMC10196709 DOI: 10.1016/j.xhgg.2023.100200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Split-hand/foot malformation (SHFM) is a congenital limb defect most typically presenting with median clefts in hands and/or feet, that can occur in a syndromic context as well as in isolated form. SHFM is caused by failure to maintain normal apical ectodermal ridge function during limb development. Although several genes and contiguous gene syndromes are implicated in the monogenic etiology of isolated SHFM, the disorder remains genetically unexplained for many families and associated genetic loci. We describe a family with isolated X-linked SHFM, for which the causative variant could be detected after a diagnostic journey of 20 years. We combined well-established approaches including microarray-based copy number variant analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization coupled with optical genome mapping and whole genome sequencing. This strategy identified a complex structural variant (SV) comprising a 165-kb gain of 15q26.3 material ([GRCh37/hg19] chr15:99795320-99960362dup) inserted in inverted position at the site of a 38-kb deletion on Xq27.1 ([GRCh37/hg19] chrX:139481061-139518989del). In silico analysis suggested that the SV disrupts the regulatory framework on the X chromosome and may lead to SOX3 misexpression. We hypothesize that SOX3 dysregulation in the developing limb disturbed the fine balance between morphogens required for maintaining AER function, resulting in SHFM in this family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elke de Boer
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Carlo Marcelis
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Kornelia Neveling
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Ellen van Beusekom
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Alexander Hoischen
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Willemijn M. Klein
- Department of Medical Imaging, Radiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Nicole de Leeuw
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Tuomo Mantere
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Laboratory of Cancer Genetics and Tumor Biology, Cancer and Translational Medicine Research Unit and Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Uirá S. Melo
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, RG Development & Disease, Berlin, Germany
- Institute for Medical and Human Genetics, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jeroen van Reeuwijk
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Dominique Smeets
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Malte Spielmann
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, RG Development & Disease, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein, University of Lübeck and Kiel University, 23562 Lübeck, Kiel, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Hamburg/Lübeck/Kiel, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Tjitske Kleefstra
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Center of Excellence for Neuropsychiatry, Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatry, Venray, the Netherlands
| | - Hans van Bokhoven
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Lisenka E.L.M. Vissers
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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Abondio P, Cilli E, Luiselli D. Human Pangenomics: Promises and Challenges of a Distributed Genomic Reference. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1360. [PMID: 37374141 DOI: 10.3390/life13061360] [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: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A pangenome is a collection of the common and unique genomes that are present in a given species. It combines the genetic information of all the genomes sampled, resulting in a large and diverse range of genetic material. Pangenomic analysis offers several advantages compared to traditional genomic research. For example, a pangenome is not bound by the physical constraints of a single genome, so it can capture more genetic variability. Thanks to the introduction of the concept of pangenome, it is possible to use exceedingly detailed sequence data to study the evolutionary history of two different species, or how populations within a species differ genetically. In the wake of the Human Pangenome Project, this review aims at discussing the advantages of the pangenome around human genetic variation, which are then framed around how pangenomic data can inform population genetics, phylogenetics, and public health policy by providing insights into the genetic basis of diseases or determining personalized treatments, targeting the specific genetic profile of an individual. Moreover, technical limitations, ethical concerns, and legal considerations are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Abondio
- Laboratory of Ancient DNA, Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna, Via degli Ariani 1, 48121 Ravenna, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Cilli
- Laboratory of Ancient DNA, Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna, Via degli Ariani 1, 48121 Ravenna, Italy
| | - Donata Luiselli
- Laboratory of Ancient DNA, Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna, Via degli Ariani 1, 48121 Ravenna, Italy
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Cutrupi AN, Narayanan RK, Perez-Siles G, Grosz BR, Lai K, Boyling A, Ellis M, Lin RCY, Neumann B, Mao D, Uesugi M, Nicholson GA, Vucic S, Saporta MA, Kennerson ML. Novel gene-intergenic fusion involving ubiquitin E3 ligase UBE3C causes distal hereditary motor neuropathy. Brain 2023; 146:880-897. [PMID: 36380488 PMCID: PMC9976978 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Distal hereditary motor neuropathies (dHMNs) are a group of inherited diseases involving the progressive, length-dependent axonal degeneration of the lower motor neurons. There are currently 29 reported causative genes and four disease loci implicated in dHMN. Despite the high genetic heterogeneity, mutations in the known genes account for less than 20% of dHMN cases, with the mutations identified predominantly being point mutations or indels. We have expanded the spectrum of dHMN mutations with the identification of a 1.35 Mb complex structural variation (SV) causing a form of autosomal dominant dHMN (DHMN1 OMIM %182906). Given the complex nature of SV mutations and the importance of studying pathogenic mechanisms in a neuronal setting, we generated a patient-derived DHMN1 motor neuron model harbouring the 1.35 Mb complex insertion. The DHMN1 complex insertion creates a duplicated copy of the first 10 exons of the ubiquitin-protein E3 ligase gene (UBE3C) and forms a novel gene-intergenic fusion sense transcript by incorporating a terminal pseudo-exon from intergenic sequence within the DHMN1 locus. The UBE3C intergenic fusion (UBE3C-IF) transcript does not undergo nonsense-mediated decay and results in a significant reduction of wild-type full-length UBE3C (UBE3C-WT) protein levels in DHMN1 iPSC-derived motor neurons. An engineered transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans model expressing the UBE3C-IF transcript in GABA-ergic motor neurons shows neuronal synaptic transmission deficits. Furthermore, the transgenic animals are susceptible to heat stress, which may implicate defective protein homeostasis underlying DHMN1 pathogenesis. Identification of the novel UBE3C-IF gene-intergenic fusion transcript in motor neurons highlights a potential new disease mechanism underlying axonal and motor neuron degeneration. These complementary models serve as a powerful paradigm for studying the DHMN1 complex SV and an invaluable tool for defining therapeutic targets for DHMN1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony N Cutrupi
- Northcott Neuroscience Laboratory, ANZAC Research Institute, Sydney, NSW 2139, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Ramesh K Narayanan
- Northcott Neuroscience Laboratory, ANZAC Research Institute, Sydney, NSW 2139, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Gonzalo Perez-Siles
- Northcott Neuroscience Laboratory, ANZAC Research Institute, Sydney, NSW 2139, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Bianca R Grosz
- Northcott Neuroscience Laboratory, ANZAC Research Institute, Sydney, NSW 2139, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Kaitao Lai
- Northcott Neuroscience Laboratory, ANZAC Research Institute, Sydney, NSW 2139, Australia
- Ancestry and Health Genomics Laboratory, Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Alexandra Boyling
- Northcott Neuroscience Laboratory, ANZAC Research Institute, Sydney, NSW 2139, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Melina Ellis
- Northcott Neuroscience Laboratory, ANZAC Research Institute, Sydney, NSW 2139, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Ruby C Y Lin
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Brent Neumann
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Di Mao
- Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences and Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Uji 611-0011, Japan
| | - Motonari Uesugi
- Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences and Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Uji 611-0011, Japan
| | - Garth A Nicholson
- Northcott Neuroscience Laboratory, ANZAC Research Institute, Sydney, NSW 2139, Australia
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2139, Australia
| | - Steve Vucic
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Brain and Nerve Research Centre, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2139, Australia
| | - Mario A Saporta
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Marina L Kennerson
- Northcott Neuroscience Laboratory, ANZAC Research Institute, Sydney, NSW 2139, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2139, Australia
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