Novel RAB3GAP1 Mutation in the First Tunisian Family With Warburg Micro Syndrome

Background@#and Purpose Warburg Micro syndrome (WARBM) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disease characterized by ocular, neurologic, and endocrine anomalies. WARBM is a phenotypically and genetically heterogeneous syndrome caused by mutations in RAB3GAP1, RAB3GAP2, RAB18, and TBC1D20. Here we present the clinical and genetic characterization of a consanguineous Tunisian family with a WARBM phenotype presenting two pathogenic variations, one of which is on RAB3GAP1. @*Methods@#We applied whole-exome sequencing (WES) to two affected young males presenting a WARBM-compatible phenotype. @*Results@#We reveal a new variation in RAB3GAP1 (NM_012233.3: c.297del, p.Gln99fs) and another variation in ABCD1 (NM_000033: c.896A>G, p.His299Arg). Each of these mutations, which in silico predictions concluded as being pathogenic variations, affects a critical protein region. Both affected males presented a WARBM-compatible phenotype, with severe intellectual disability, severe developmental delay, postnatal growth delay, postnatal microcephaly, congenital bilateral cataracts, general hypotonia, and a thin corpus callosum without a splenium. However, intrafamilial clinical heterogeneity was present, since only the oldest child had large ears, microphthalmia, foot deformities, and a genital anomaly, and only the youngest child had microcornea. Despite the mutation identified in ABCD1, our patients did not have any Xlinked symptoms of adrenoleukodystrophy disorder that are usually caused by ABCD1 mutations, which prompted our interest in clinical monitoring. @*Conclusions@#WES analysis of a consanguineous Tunisian family with WARBM revealed a novel variation in RAB3GAP1 (NM_012233.3: c.297del, p.Gln99fs) that is most likely pathogenic and allowed us to confirm the diagnosis of WARBM.

Non-syndromic autosomal recessive mental retardation in Tunisian families: exclusion of GRIK2 and TUSC3 genes

Mental retardation is one of the most frequent major handicap, with a 1-3% frequency in the general population, it appear a major problem of public health. The recent progress of molecular biology and cytogenetic allowed to identify new genes for non syndromic autosomal recessive mental retardation [NSAR-MR]. Genetic analysis of NSAR-MR: the GRIK2 gene [6q16.3-q21] and the TUSC3 gene [8p22]. Four Tunisian families with NSAR-MR were included in this study. Genotyping was made using polymorphic microsatellite markers and statistical analysis was validated using the Fast Link programme of the Easy linkage software [V4:00beta]. Genotyping and linkage analysis excluded linkage of the GRIK2 gene and TUSC3 gene. Our results confirm the extreme genetic heterogeneity of NSAR-MR