Nimbus: a design-driven analyses suite for amplicon-based NGS data.

Motivation: PCR-based DNA enrichment followed by massively parallel sequencing is a straightforward and cost effective method to sequence genes up to high depth. The full potential of amplicon-based sequencing assays is currently not achieved as analysis methods do not take into account the source amplicons of the detected variants. Tracking the source amplicons has the potential to identify systematic biases, enhance variant calling and improve the designs of future assays. Results: We present Nimbus, a software suite for the analysis of amplicon-based sequencing data. Nimbus includes tools for data pre-processing, alignment, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), insertion and deletion calling, quality control and visualization. Nimbus can detect SNPs in its alignment seeds and reduces alignment issues by the usage of decoy amplicons. Tracking the amplicons throughout analysis allows easy and fast design optimization by amplicon performance comparison. It enables detection of probable false positive variants present in a single amplicon from real variants present in multiple amplicons and provides multiple sample visualization. Nimbus was tested using HaloPlex Exome datasets and outperforms other callers for low-frequency variants. The variants called by Nimbus were highly concordant between twin samples and SNP-arrays. The Nimbus suite provides an end-to-end solution for variant calling, design optimization and visualization of amplicon-derived next-generation sequencing datasets. Availability and implementation: https://github.com/erasmus-center-for-biomics/Nimbus. Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

X chromosome inactivation in a female carrier of a 1.28 Mb deletion encompassing the human X inactivation centre.

X chromosome inactivation (XCI) is a mechanism specifically initiated in female cells to silence one X chromosome, thereby equalizing the dose of X-linked gene products between male and female cells. XCI is regulated by a locus on the X chromosome termed the X-inactivation centre (XIC). Located within the XIC is XIST, which acts as a master regulator of XCI. During XCI, XIST is upregulated on the inactive X chromosome and chromosome-wide cis spreading of XIST leads to inactivation. In mouse, the Xic comprises Xist and all cis-regulatory elements and genes involved in Xist regulation. The activity of the XIC is regulated by trans-acting factors located elsewhere in the genome: X-encoded XCI activators positively regulating XCI, and autosomally encoded XCI inhibitors providing the threshold for XCI initiation. Whether human XCI is regulated through a similar mechanism, involving trans-regulatory factors acting on the XIC has remained elusive so far. Here, we describe a female individual with ovarian dysgenesis and a small X chromosomal deletion of the XIC. SNP-array and targeted locus amplification (TLA) analysis defined the deletion to a 1.28 megabase region, including XIST and all elements and genes that perform cis-regulatory functions in mouse XCI. Cells carrying this deletion still initiate XCI on the unaffected X chromosome, indicating that XCI can be initiated in the presence of only one XIC. Our results indicate that the trans-acting factors required for XCI initiation are located outside the deletion, providing evidence that the regulatory mechanisms of XCI are conserved between mouse and human.This article is part of the themed issue 'X-chromosome inactivation: a tribute to Mary Lyon'.

Next-generation sequencing reveals novel rare fusion events with functional implication in prostate cancer.

Gene fusions, mainly between TMPRSS2 and ERG, are frequent early genomic rearrangements in prostate cancer (PCa). In order to discover novel genomic fusion events, we applied whole-genome paired-end sequencing to identify structural alterations present in a primary PCa patient (G089) and in a PCa cell line (PC346C). Overall, we identified over 3800 genomic rearrangements in each of the two samples as compared with the reference genome. Correcting these structural variations for polymorphisms using whole-genome sequences of 46 normal samples, the numbers of cancer-related rearrangements were 674 and 387 for G089 and PC346C, respectively. From these, 192 in G089 and 106 in PC346C affected gene structures. Exclusion of small intronic deletions left 33 intergenic breaks in G089 and 14 in PC346C. Out of these, 12 and 9 reassembled genes with the same orientation, capable of generating a feasible fusion transcript. Using PCR we validated all the reliable predicted gene fusions. Two gene fusions were in-frame: MPP5-FAM71D in PC346C and ARHGEF3-C8ORF38 in G089. Downregulation of FAM71D and MPP5-FAM71D transcripts in PC346C cells decreased proliferation; however, no effect was observed in the RWPE-1-immortalized normal prostate epithelial cells. Together, our data showed that gene rearrangements frequently occur in PCa genomes but result in a limited number of fusion transcripts. Most of these fusion transcripts do not encode in-frame fusion proteins. The unique in-frame MPP5-FAM71D fusion product is important for proliferation of PC346C cells.

Distinctive Phenotypic Abnormalities Associated with Submicroscopic 21q22 Deletion Including DYRK1A.

Partial monosomy 21 has been reported, but the phenotypes described are variable with location and size of the deletion. We present 2 patients with a partially overlapping microdeletion of 21q22 and a striking phenotypic resemblance. They both presented with severe psychomotor delay, behavioral problems, no speech, microcephaly, feeding problems with frequent regurgitation, idiopathic thrombocytopenia, obesity, deep set eyes, down turned corners of the mouth, dysplastic ears, and small chin. Brain MRI showed cerebral atrophy mostly evident in frontal and temporal lobes, widened ventricles and thin corpus callosum in both cases, and in one patient evidence of a migration disorder. The first patient also presented with epilepsy and a ventricular septum defect. The second patient had a unilateral Peters anomaly. Microarray analysis showed a partially overlapping microdeletion spanning about 2.5 Mb in the 21q22.1-q22.2 region including the DYRK1A gene and excluding RUNX1. These patients present with a recognizable phenotype specific for this 21q22.1-q22.2 locus. We searched the literature for patients with overlapping deletions including the DYRK1A gene, in order to define other genes responsible for this presentation.

Large deletion at the TSC1 locus in a family with tuberous sclerosis complex.

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by seizures, mental retardation and the development of hamartomas in a variety of organs and tissues. The disease is caused by mutations in either the TSC1 gene on chromosome 9q34, or the TSC2 gene on chromosome 16p13.3. Here we describe a deletion encompassing the TSC1 gene and two neighboring transcripts on chromosome 9q34 in six affected individuals from a family with TSC. To our knowledge, this is the first report of such a large deletion at the TSC1 locus and indicates that screening for similar mutations at the TSC1 locus is warranted in individuals with TSC.

A novel gene on human chromosome 2p24 is differentially expressed between androgen-dependent and androgen-independent prostate cancer cells.

Identification of genes involved in the transition from androgen-dependent to androgen-independent prostate cancer is important to extend our current knowledge of the disease. Using differential display RT-PCR analysis between androgen-dependent and androgen-independent prostate cancer cells, we have identified a novel gene, designated GC109. GC109 harbours a putative Cys-His cluster, a nuclear localisation signal, a leucine zipper and a ret finger protein (rfp)-like domain. GC109 mRNA expression in normal human tissues was found not to be restricted to the prostate. However, using a variety of 15 human cancer cell lines, GC109 mRNA was preferentially expressed in androgen-dependent LNCaP-FGC, compared with androgen-independent LNCaP-LNO, DU145 and PC3 human prostate cancer cells. Finally, the GC109 gene was mapped on human chromosome 2p24. Based on its protein domain structure and chromosomal localisation, we hypothesise that GC109 may be involved in chromosomal rearrangements in prostate cancer.

Deletions at chromosome regions 7q11.23 and 7q36 in a patient with Williams syndrome.

We report on a patient with Williams syndrome and a complex de novo chromosome rearrangement, including microdeletions at 7q11.23 and 7q36 and additional chromosomal material at 7q36. The nature of this additional material was elucidated by spectral karyotyping and first assigned to chromosome 22. Subsequent fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) experiments showed that it consisted of satellite material only. Refinement of the 7q36 breakpoint was performed with several FISH probes, showing a deletion distal to the triphalangeal thumb (TPT) region. The phenotype of the patient principally results from the microdeletion of the 7q11.23; the small deletion at 7qter and the extra satellite material may not be of clinical significance.

Characterization of a zinc-finger protein and its association with apoptosis in prostate cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: The transition from androgen-dependent to androgen-independent prostate cancer is not fully understood but appears to involve multiple genetic changes. We have identified a gene, GC79, that is more highly expressed in androgen-dependent LNCaP-FGC human prostate cancer cells than in androgen-independent LNCaP-LNO human prostate cancer cells. Physiologic levels (0.1 nM:) of androgens repress expression of GC79 messenger RNA (mRNA) in LNCaP-FGC cells. To determine the role of GC79, we cloned its complementary DNA (cDNA) and functionally characterized its product. METHODS: The differentially expressed GC79 gene was cloned from human prostate cDNA libraries, sequenced, and transfected into mammalian cells to study its function. Expression of GC79 was analyzed in various adult and fetal human tissues and in prostate glands of castrated rats. The association of GC79 expression and apoptosis was investigated in COS-1 and LNCaP cells transfected with GC79 cDNA. All statistical tests are two-sided. RESULTS: Sequence analysis indicates that GC79 encodes a large, complex, multitype zinc-finger protein, containing nine C(2)H(2)-type zinc-finger domains, a cysteine-rich region, and a GATA C(4)-type zinc-finger domain. Castration-induced androgen withdrawal increased the expression of GC79 mRNA in the regressing rat ventral prostate, suggesting that the expression of GC79 mRNA is associated with the process of apoptotic cell death in the rat ventral prostate. Transfection and induction of GC79 cDNA in both COS-1 and LNCaP prostate cancer cells led to an apoptotic index that was eightfold higher (P:<.001, two-sided Student's t test) than that observed in uninduced transfected cells. CONCLUSIONS: We have cloned an androgen-repressible gene, GC79, that is potentially involved in apoptosis. This finding may have implications for the development of androgen-independent prostate cancer and, ultimately, for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Molecular cytogenetic analysis of eight inversion duplications of human chromosome 13q that each contain a neocentromere.

Neocentromeres are fully functional centromeres that have arisen in previously noncentromeric chromosomal locations on rearranged chromosomes. The formation of neocentromeres results in the mitotic stability of chromosomal fragments that do not contain endogenous centromeres and that would normally be lost. Here we describe a unique collection of eight independent patient-derived cell lines, each of which contains a neocentromere on a supernumerary inversion duplication of a portion of human chromosome 13q. Findings in these patients reveal insight into the clinical manifestations associated with polysomy for portions of chromosome 13q. The results of FISH and immunofluorescent analysis of the neocentromeres in these chromosomes confirm the lack of alpha-satellite DNA and the presence of CENtromere proteins (CENP)-C, -E, and hMAD2. The positions of the inversion breakpoints in these chromosomes have been placed onto the physical map of chromosome 13, by means of FISH mapping with cosmid probes. These cell lines define, within chromosome 13q, at least three distinct locations where neocentromeres have formed, with five independent neocentromeres in band 13q32, two in band 13q21, and one in band 13q31. The results of examination of the set of 40 neocentromere-containing chromosomes that have thus far been described, including the 8 neocentromere-containing chromosomes from chromosome 13q that are described in the present study, suggest that chromosome 13q has an increased propensity for neocentromere formation, relative to some other human chromosomes. These neocentromeres will provide the means for testing hypotheses about sequence requirements for human centromere formation.

An unbalanced submicroscopic translocation t(8;16)(q24.3;p13.3)pat associated with tuberous sclerosis complex, adult polycystic kidney disease, and hypomelanosis of Ito.

We report on a familial submicroscopic translocation involving chromosomes 8 and 16. The proband of the family had a clinical picture suggestive of a large deletion in the chromosome 16p13.3 area, as he was affected with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and had alpha thalassaemia trait, and his half brother, who also had TSC, may have suffered additionally from polycystic kidney disease (PKD). FISH studies provided evidence for a familial translocation t(8;16)(q24.3;p13.3) with an unbalanced form in the proband and a balanced form in the father and in a paternal aunt. The unbalanced translocation caused the index patient to be deleted for the chromosome 16p13.3-pter region, with the most proximal breakpoint described to date for terminal 16p deletions. In addition, FISH analysis showed a duplication for the distal 8q region. Since the index patient also had hypomelanosis of Ito (HI), either of the chromosomal areas involved in the translocation may be a candidate region for an HI determining gene. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that both carriers of the balanced translocation showed a nodular goitre, while the proband has hypothyroidism.

Identification of a gene on human chromosome 8q11 that is differentially expressed during prostate-cancer progression.

Using differential-display RT-PCR analysis between androgen-dependent LNCaP-FGC and androgen-independent LNCaP-LNO human prostate-cancer cells, we have identified a gene not previously described as being expressed in prostate. The gene is more highly expressed in androgen-independent than in androgen-dependent LNCaP prostate-cancer cells. Sequence analysis showed that the gene has already been cloned as a transcript present in embryonic brain, with unknown functions. Expression of the gene was found not to be restricted to the prostate, and not regulated by androgens in androgen-independent prostate-cancer cells. In concert with the cell-culture system, Northern-blot analysis of gene expression in vivo, using a panel of human prostate-cancer xenografts, demonstrated that the gene is more highly expressed in androgen-independent than in androgen-dependent prostate-cancer xenografts. The gene could be mapped on human chromosome 8q11. The 8q arm is known to be frequently amplified during prostate-cancer progression and harbors several proto-oncogenes potentially involved in cancer development. Since expression of the gene is positively correlated with prostate-cancer progression and its 8q11 chromosomal localization, we hypothesize that the gene may be involved in the development and progression of prostate cancer.

Submicroscopic Xpter deletion in a boy with growth and mental retardation caused by a familial t(X;14).

In a 3-year-old boy with short stature, developmental delay, and dry skin, steroid sulphatase deficiency and a submicroscopic terminal deletion of Xp were found. Except for the short stature, no major clinical signs of X-linked recessive chondrodysplasia punctata could be observed. His mother had lowered steroid sulphatase activity compatible with carriership for X-linked ichthyosis and a submicroscopic translocation (X;14)(p22.31;p11.1). This finding combined with a normal amplification of exons 1, 5, and 10 of the STS gene from propositus' DNA suggested a breakpoint upstream of the STS gene. The submicroscopic maternal translocation had important implications for genetic counseling. This case report illustrates that contiguous gene syndrome related to the Xpter region may have an atypical clinical presentation and the usefulness of combined clinical, biochemical, molecular, and fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis.

Identification of a homozygous deletion at 8p12-21 in a human prostate cancer xenograft.

One of the most frequent genetic abnormalities in prostate cancer is loss of the complete or part of the short arm of chromosome 8, indicating the localization of one or more tumor suppressor genes on this chromosomal arm. Using allelotyping, a frequently deleted region in prostate cancer in a genetic interval of approximately 17 cM between sequence tagged sites D8S87 and D8S133 at chromosome arm 8p12-21 was previously detected. A detailed physical map of this region is now available. Using known and novel polymorphic and nonpolymorphic sequence tagged sites in this interval, a search for homozygous deletions in DNAs from 14 prostate cancer-derived cell lines and xenografts was carried out. In DNA from xenograft PC133, the presence of a small homozygously deleted region of 730-1,320 kb was unambiguously established. At one site, the deletion disrupts the Werner syndrome gene. Data from allelotyping were confirmed and extended by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of PC133 chromosome spreads using centromere, YAC, and PAC chromosome 8 probes.

The murine CYLN2 gene: genomic organization, chromosome localization, and comparison to the human gene that is located within the 7q11.23 Williams syndrome critical region.

Cytoplasmic linker proteins (CLIPs) have been proposed to mediate the interaction between specific membranous organelles and microtubules. We have recently characterized a novel member of this family, called CLIP-115. This protein is most abundantly expressed in the brain and was found to associate both with microtubules and with an organelle called the dendritic lamellar body. CLIP-115 is highly homologous to CLIP-170, or restin, which is a protein involved in the binding of endosomes to microtubules. Using the rat cDNA as a probe we have isolated overlapping cosmids containing the complete murine and part of the human CYLN2 (cytoplasmic linker-2) genes, which encode CLIP-115. The murine gene spans 60 kb and consists of 17 exons, and its promoter is embedded in a CpG island. Murine CYLN2 maps to the telomeric end of mouse chromosome 5. The human CYLN2 gene is localized to a syntenic region on chromosome 7q11.23, which is commonly deleted in Williams syndrome. It spans at least 140 kb at the 3' end of the deletion. Human CYLN2 is very likely identical to the previously characterized, incomplete WSCR4 and WSCR3 transcription units.

Expression of differentiation-related genes in colorectal cancer: possible implications for prognosis.

Although differentiation grade is an important prognostic factor for colorectal tumors, its usefulness is limited since its predictive value for tumor behavior is not very significant. This might be related to the subjective nature of histological assessment of differentiation grade, which allows the distinction of only three grades, and with limited reproducibility. Characterization of the differentiation process at the biochemical level may improve our understanding of normal and malignant differentiation, and is expected to provide molecular markers with higher discriminative potential than histomorphology. Several studies have compared gene expression in undifferentiated and differentiated colon carcinoma cells, and many differentially expressed genes have been identified. Some of these, including HLA class I, nucleophosmin, adenylosuccinate lyase, alpha-tubulin, and a novel gene designated Drg1, were found to be expressed at different levels in neoplastic as compared to normal tissue. In this review the rationale, implementation, and results of this approach are discussed, as well as the characteristics of two novel differentially expressed genes, ICT1 (previously named DS-1) and Drg1.

A chromosome 21-specific cosmid cocktail for the detection of chromosome 21 aberrations in interphase nuclei.

Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with a 21q11-specific probe (CB21c1) consisting of three non-overlapping cosmids has been applied to interphase amniocytes of pregnancies at increased risk for fetal aneuploidy (N = 78) and to interphase lymphocytes, cultured and uncultured, of patients referred for Down syndrome (N = 19 and 28, respectively). In the uncultured amniocytes, six chromosome aberrations were detected: three cases of trisomy 21, a triploidy, a de novo 46,XX,t(21q21q), and a mosaic 46,XY/47,XY,+dic(21)(q11)/48,XY,+dic(21)(q11),+del(21)(q11). In 15 cultured and 20 uncultured blood samples, FISH correctly diagnosed trisomy 21 (full or mosaic) at the interphase level, which was confirmed in all cases by subsequent karyotyping. Because of specific and strong signals in interphase nuclei, CB21c1 appears to be a useful tool for the rapid detection of chromosome 21 abnormalities.

Cosmid contigs from the tuberous sclerosis candidate region on chromosome 9q34.

Tuberous sclerosis (TSC) is a heterogeneous multisystem disorder with loci on 9q34 (TSC1) and 16p13.3 (TSC2). The TSC2 gene has recently been isolated, while the TSC1 gene has been mapped to a 5-cM region between the markers D9S149 and D9S114. In our effort to localise and clone TSC1, we have obtained three adjacent cosmid contigs that cover the core of the candidate region. The three contigs comprise approximately 600 kb and include 80 cosmids, 2 P1 clones, 1 YAC, 5 anonymous markers and 4 sequence-tagged sites. The ABO blood group locus, the Surfeit gene cluster, the dopamine beta-hydroxylase gene (DBH) and VAV2, a homologue of the vav oncogene, have all been mapped within the contigs. Exon trapping and mutation screening experiments, aimed at identifying the TSC1 gene, are currently in progress.

The effect of a single base pair deletion (delta T525) and a C1634T missense mutation (pro545leu) on the expression of lysosomal alpha-glucosidase in patients with glycogen storage disease type II.

Glycogen storage disease type II (GSDII, Pompe's disease) is caused by an autosomal recessive inheritance of lysosomal alpha-glucosidase deficiency. By sequence analysis we have identified the mutations in the lysosomal alpha-glucosidase gene (GAA) of two unrelated patients, who have one and two copies, respectively, of the same missense mutation. The milder affected adult patient was found to be homozygous for a C1634T transition resulting in the substitution of pro545 by leu. The more severely affected adolescent patient had this same mutant allele combined with a 1 base pair deletion (delta T525) in the second allele causing premature termination at nucleotide positions 658-660. Both these mutations were introduced in wild-type alpha-glucosidase cDNA and expressed in COS-1 cells to analyse their effect. The delta T525 mutation prohibits the formation of lysosomal alpha-glucosidase completely. The pro545-->leu substitution is compatible with normal synthesis but hampers enzyme maturation and results in a 92% net loss of lysosomal alpha-glucosidase activity. The patient with adult GSDII has, in accordance with the allelic constitution, a 2-fold higher residual activity than the patient with juvenile GSDII. The delta T525 deletion was detected in two other unrelated patients, and also the C1634T transition was encountered in two more Caucasian patients with GSDII.

Segregation of FRAXE in a large family: clinical, psychometric, cytogenetic, and molecular data.

During an ongoing study on X-linked mental retardation, we ascertained a large family in which mild mental retardation was cosegregating with a fragile site at Xq27-28. Clinical, psychometric, cytogenetic, and molecular studies were performed. Apart from mild mental retardation, affected males and females did not show a specific clinical phenotype. Psychometric assessment of four representative affected individuals revealed low academic achievements, with verbal and performance IQs of 61-75 and 70-82, respectively. Cytogenetically the fragile site was always present in affected males and was not always present in affected females. With FISH the fragile site was located within the FRAXE region. The expanded GCC repeat of FRAXE was seen in affected males and females either as a discrete band or as a broad smear. No expansion was seen in unaffected males, whereas three unaffected females did have an enlarged GCC repeat. Maternal transmission of FRAXE may lead to expansion or contraction of the GCC repeat length, whereas in all cases of paternal transmission contraction was seen. In striking contrast to the situation in fragile X syndrome, affected males may have affected daughters. In addition, there appears to be no premutation of the FRAXE GCC repeat, since in the family studied here all males lacking the normal allele were found to be affected.