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1.
Mol Genet Metab ; 142(2): 108486, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38733639

ABSTRACT

Empagliflozin has been successfully repurposed for treating neutropenia and neutrophil dysfunction in patients with glycogen storage disease type 1b (GSD 1b), however, data in infants are missing. We report on efficacy and safety of empagliflozin in infants with GSD 1b. This is an international retrospective case series on 21 GSD 1b infants treated with empagliflozin (total treatment time 20.6 years). Before starting empagliflozin (at a median age of 8.1 months with a median dose of 0.3 mg/kg/day) 12 patients had clinical signs and symptoms of neutrophil dysfunction. Six of these previously symptomatic patients had no further neutropenia/neutrophil dysfunction-associated findings on empagliflozin. Eight patients had no signs and symptoms of neutropenia/neutrophil dysfunction before start and during empagliflozin treatment. One previously asymptomatic individual with a horseshoe kidney developed a central line infection with pyelonephritis and urosepsis during empagliflozin treatment. Of the 10 patients who were treated with G-CSF before starting empagliflozin, this was stopped in four and decreased in another four. Eleven individuals were never treated with G-CSF. While in 17 patients glucose homeostasis remained stable on empagliflozin, four showed glucose homeostasis instability in the introductory phase. In 17 patients, no other side effects were reported, while genital (n = 2) or oral (n = 1) candidiasis and skin infection (n = 1) were reported in the remaining four. Empagliflozin had a good effect on neutropenia/neutrophil dysfunction-related signs and symptoms and a favourable safety profile in infants with GSD 1b and therefore qualifies for further exploration as first line treatment.


Subject(s)
Benzhydryl Compounds , Glucosides , Glycogen Storage Disease Type I , Neutropenia , Neutrophils , Humans , Glycogen Storage Disease Type I/drug therapy , Glycogen Storage Disease Type I/complications , Neutropenia/drug therapy , Male , Female , Infant , Benzhydryl Compounds/therapeutic use , Benzhydryl Compounds/administration & dosage , Retrospective Studies , Neutrophils/drug effects , Glucosides/therapeutic use , Glucosides/pharmacology , Glucosides/administration & dosage , Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Treatment Outcome , Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor/therapeutic use
2.
medRxiv ; 2024 Apr 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38645094

ABSTRACT

Around 60% of individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) remain undiagnosed after comprehensive genetic testing, primarily of protein-coding genes1. Increasingly, large genome-sequenced cohorts are improving our ability to discover new diagnoses in the non-coding genome. Here, we identify the non-coding RNA RNU4-2 as a novel syndromic NDD gene. RNU4-2 encodes the U4 small nuclear RNA (snRNA), which is a critical component of the U4/U6.U5 tri-snRNP complex of the major spliceosome2. We identify an 18 bp region of RNU4-2 mapping to two structural elements in the U4/U6 snRNA duplex (the T-loop and Stem III) that is severely depleted of variation in the general population, but in which we identify heterozygous variants in 119 individuals with NDD. The vast majority of individuals (77.3%) have the same highly recurrent single base-pair insertion (n.64_65insT). We estimate that variants in this region explain 0.41% of individuals with NDD. We demonstrate that RNU4-2 is highly expressed in the developing human brain, in contrast to its contiguous counterpart RNU4-1 and other U4 homologs, supporting RNU4-2's role as the primary U4 transcript in the brain. Overall, this work underscores the importance of non-coding genes in rare disorders. It will provide a diagnosis to thousands of individuals with NDD worldwide and pave the way for the development of effective treatments for these individuals.

3.
Brain ; 147(6): 1967-1974, 2024 Jun 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38478578

ABSTRACT

Leigh syndrome spectrum (LSS) is a primary mitochondrial disorder defined neuropathologically by a subacute necrotizing encephalomyelopathy and characterized by bilateral basal ganglia and/or brainstem lesions. LSS is associated with variants in several mitochondrial DNA genes and more than 100 nuclear genes, most often related to mitochondrial complex I (CI) dysfunction. Rarely, LSS has been reported in association with primary Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) variants of the mitochondrial DNA, coding for CI subunits (m.3460G>A in MT-ND1, m.11778G>A in MT-ND4 and m.14484T>C in MT-ND6). The underlying mechanism by which these variants manifest as LSS, a severe neurodegenerative disease, as opposed to the LHON phenotype of isolated optic neuropathy, remains an open question. Here, we analyse the exome sequencing of six probands with LSS carrying primary LHON variants, and report digenic co-occurrence of the m.11778G > A variant with damaging heterozygous variants in nuclear disease genes encoding CI subunits as a plausible explanation. Our findings suggest a digenic mechanism of disease for m.11778G>A-associated LSS, consistent with recent reports of digenic disease in individuals manifesting with LSS due to biallelic variants in the recessive LHON-associated disease gene DNAJC30 in combination with heterozygous variants in CI subunits.


Subject(s)
Leigh Disease , Optic Atrophy, Hereditary, Leber , Humans , Leigh Disease/genetics , Optic Atrophy, Hereditary, Leber/genetics , Male , Female , Adult , DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics , Electron Transport Complex I/genetics , Child , Adolescent , NADH Dehydrogenase/genetics , Mutation , Young Adult , Exome Sequencing , Child, Preschool
4.
Am J Med Genet A ; 194(6): e63551, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38321651

ABSTRACT

Capillary malformations (CMs) are the most common type of vascular anomalies, affecting around 0.3% of newborns. They are usually caused by somatic pathogenic variants in GNAQ or GNA11. PIK3CA and PIK3R1, part of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase-protein kinase B-mammalian target of rapamycin pathway, are mutated in fainter CMs such as diffuse CM with overgrowth and megalencephaly CM. In this study, we present two young patients with a CM-like phenotype associated with cerebral anomalies and severe epilepsy. Pathogenic variants in PIK3CA and PIK3R1, as well as GNAQ and GNA11, were absent in affected cutaneous tissue biopsies. Instead, we identified two somatic pathogenic variants in the AKT3 gene. Subsequent analysis of the DNA obtained from surgically resected brain tissue of one of the two patients confirmed the presence of the AKT3 variant. Focal cortical dysplasia was also detected in this patient. Genetic analysis thus facilitated workup to reach a precise diagnosis for these patients, associating the vascular anomaly with the neurological symptoms. This study underscores the importance of searching for additional signs and symptoms to guide the diagnostic workup, especially in cases with atypical vascular malformations. In addition, it strongly emphasizes the significance of genotype-phenotype correlation studies in guiding clinicians' informed decision-making regarding patient care.


Subject(s)
Capillaries , Epilepsy , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt , Telangiectasis , Vascular Malformations , Female , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Male , Capillaries/abnormalities , Capillaries/pathology , Epilepsy/genetics , Epilepsy/pathology , Genetic Association Studies , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Mosaicism , Mutation/genetics , Phenotype , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics , Telangiectasis/genetics , Telangiectasis/pathology , Telangiectasis/diagnosis , Vascular Malformations/genetics , Vascular Malformations/pathology , Vascular Malformations/diagnosis , Vascular Malformations/complications , Adolescent
5.
Eur J Paediatr Neurol ; 49: 60-65, 2024 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38377647

ABSTRACT

Fatty acid oxidation (FAO) disorders are autosomal recessive genetic disorders affecting either the transport or the oxidation of fatty acids. Acute symptoms arise during prolonged fasting, intercurrent infections, or intense physical activity. Metabolic crises are characterized by alteration of consciousness, hypoglycemic coma, hepatomegaly, cardiomegaly, arrhythmias, rhabdomyolysis, and can lead to death. In this retrospective and multicentric study, the data of 54 patients with FAO disorders were collected. Overall, 35 patients (64.8%) were diagnosed after newborn screening (NBS), 17 patients on clinical presentation (31.5%), and two patients after family screening (3.7%). Deficiencies identified included medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) deficiency (75.9%), very long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD) deficiency (11.1%), long-chain hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (LCHAD) deficiency (3.7%), mitochondrial trifunctional protein (MTP) deficiency (1.8%), and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2 (CPT 2) deficiency (7.4%). The NBS results of 25 patients were reviewed and the neurological outcome of this population was compared with that of the patients who were diagnosed on clinical presentation. This article sought to provide a comprehensive overview of how NBS implementation in Southern Belgium has dramatically improved the neurological outcome of patients with FAO disorders by preventing metabolic crises and death. Further investigations are needed to better understand the physiopathology of long-term complications in order to improve the quality of life of patients and to ensure optimal management.


Subject(s)
Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase/deficiency , Cardiomyopathies , Carnitine O-Palmitoyltransferase/deficiency , Lipid Metabolism, Inborn Errors , Metabolism, Inborn Errors , Mitochondrial Trifunctional Protein/deficiency , Neonatal Screening , Rhabdomyolysis , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Retrospective Studies , Male , Female , Neonatal Screening/methods , Lipid Metabolism, Inborn Errors/diagnosis , Lipid Metabolism, Inborn Errors/complications , Belgium/epidemiology , Infant , Congenital Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes/complications , Congenital Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes/diagnosis , Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase, Long-Chain/deficiency , Fatty Acids/metabolism , Child, Preschool , Muscular Diseases/diagnosis , Child , Mitochondrial Myopathies/diagnosis , Mitochondrial Myopathies/complications , Mitochondrial Diseases/diagnosis , Mitochondrial Diseases/complications , Nervous System Diseases/etiology , Nervous System Diseases/diagnosis
6.
Eur J Paediatr Neurol ; 48: 69-77, 2024 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38056117

ABSTRACT

Purines and pyrimidines are essential components as they are the building blocks of vital molecules, such as nucleic acids, coenzymes, signalling molecules, as well as energy transfer molecules. Purine and pyrimidine metabolism defects are characterised by abnormal concentrations of purines, pyrimidines and/or their metabolites in cells or body fluids. This phenomenon is due to a decreased or an increased activity of enzymes involved in this metabolism and has been reported in humans for over 60 years. This review provides an overview of neurological presentations of inborn errors of purine and pyrimidine metabolism. These conditions can lead to psychomotor retardation, epilepsy, hypotonia, or microcephaly; sensory involvement, such as deafness and visual disturbances; multiple malformations, as well as muscular symptoms. Clinical signs are often nonspecific and thus overlooked, but some diseases are treatable and early diagnosis may improve the child's future. Although these metabolic hereditary diseases are rare, they are most probably under-diagnosed. When confronted with suggestive clinical or laboratory signs, clinicians should prescribe genetic testing in association with a biochemical screening including thorough purine and pyrimidine metabolites analysis and/or specific enzyme evaluation. This is most likely going to increase the number of confirmed patients.


Subject(s)
Purine-Pyrimidine Metabolism, Inborn Errors , Child , Humans , Purine-Pyrimidine Metabolism, Inborn Errors/diagnosis , Purine-Pyrimidine Metabolism, Inborn Errors/genetics , Purine-Pyrimidine Metabolism, Inborn Errors/metabolism , Purines/metabolism , Genetic Testing , Pyrimidines/therapeutic use , Pyrimidines/metabolism
7.
Eur J Hum Genet ; 32(2): 224-231, 2024 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38097767

ABSTRACT

Alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC) is a rare neurodevelopment disorder that is typically characterized by debilitating episodic attacks of hemiplegia, seizures, and intellectual disability. Over 85% of individuals with AHC have a de novo missense variant in ATP1A3 encoding the catalytic α3 subunit of neuronal Na+/K+ ATPases. The remainder of the patients are genetically unexplained. Here, we used next-generation sequencing to search for the genetic cause of 26 ATP1A3-negative index patients with a clinical presentation of AHC or an AHC-like phenotype. Three patients had affected siblings. Using targeted sequencing of exonic, intronic, and flanking regions of ATP1A3 in 22 of the 26 index patients, we found no ultra-rare variants. Using exome sequencing, we identified the likely genetic diagnosis in 9 probands (35%) in five genes, including RHOBTB2 (n = 3), ATP1A2 (n = 3), ANK3 (n = 1), SCN2A (n = 1), and CHD2 (n = 1). In follow-up investigations, two additional ATP1A3-negative individuals were found to have rare missense SCN2A variants, including one de novo likely pathogenic variant and one likely pathogenic variant for which inheritance could not be determined. Functional evaluation of the variants identified in SCN2A and ATP1A2 supports the pathogenicity of the identified variants. Our data show that genetic variants in various neurodevelopmental genes, including SCN2A, lead to AHC or AHC-like presentation. Still, the majority of ATP1A3-negative AHC or AHC-like patients remain unexplained, suggesting that other mutational mechanisms may account for the phenotype or that cases may be explained by oligo- or polygenic risk factors.


Subject(s)
Hemiplegia , Mutation, Missense , Humans , Hemiplegia/diagnosis , Hemiplegia/genetics , Exome Sequencing , Mutation , Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase/genetics , GTP-Binding Proteins/genetics , Tumor Suppressor Proteins/genetics , NAV1.2 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel/genetics
8.
Acta Neuropathol Commun ; 11(1): 131, 2023 08 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37568198

ABSTRACT

Spinocerebellar ataxia 34 (SCA34) is an autosomal dominant inherited disease characterized by age-related cerebellar degeneration and ataxia caused by mutations in the Elongation of Very Long Chain Fatty Acid-4 (ELOVL4) gene. The ELOVL4 enzyme catalyzes the biosynthesis of both very long chain saturated fatty acids (VLC-SFA) and very long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLC-PUFA) that are important for neuronal, reproductive, and skin function. Several variants in ELOVL4 have been shown to cause different tissue-specific disorders including SCA34 with or without Erythrokeratodermia Variabilis (EKV), a skin condition characterized by dry, scaly skin, Autosomal Dominant Stargardt-Like Macular Dystrophy (STGD3), and seizures associated with neuro-ichthyotic disorders. What is puzzling is how different mutations in the same gene seem to cause different tissue-specific disorders. To date, no SCA34 patients have presented with both SCA34 and STGD3 pathology that is caused by ELOVL4 variants that cause truncation of ELOVL4. Here, we report a novel case of an early childhood onset and rapidly progressive cerebellar degeneration and retinal dysfunction in a Belgian-Italian girl who developed severe dysarthria and gait problems starting at about 3.5 years of age and progressed to immobility by 4.5 years of age. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed progressive vermian, cerebellar, cortical atrophy, progressive corpus callosum slimming, and hot cross bun sign visible on the MRI. Ophthalmological examinations also revealed progressive macular dysfunction as measured by electroretinography. Using exome sequencing, we identified a novel heterozygous ELOVL4 variant, c.503 T > C (p. L168S) in the patient. To understand the enzymatic function of this novel ELOVL4 variant and how it alters the levels of VLC-PUFA and VLC-SFA biosynthesis to contribute to cerebellar and retinal dysfunction, we expressed wild-type ELOVL4 or the L168S ELOVL4 variant in cell culture and supplemented the cultures with VLC-PUFA or VLC-SFA precursors. We showed that the L168S ELOVL4 variant is deficient in the biosynthesis of VLC-SFA and VLC-PUFA. Our work suggests that differential depletion of these fatty acids may be a contributing factor to the pathogenic mechanism of SCA34 with or without EKV. Further studies will help further define how the different ELOVL4 variants cause different tissue-specific disorders with variable ages of onset.


Subject(s)
Macular Degeneration , Spinocerebellar Ataxias , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Macular Degeneration/genetics , Ataxia , Seizures , Spinocerebellar Ataxias/complications , Spinocerebellar Ataxias/genetics , Eye Proteins/genetics , Membrane Proteins/genetics
10.
Genet Med ; 25(7): 100859, 2023 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37092538

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The study aimed to clinically and molecularly characterize the neurodevelopmental disorder associated with heterozygous de novo variants in CNOT9. METHODS: Individuals were clinically examined. Variants were identified using exome or genome sequencing. These variants were evaluated using in silico predictions, and their functional relevance was further assessed by molecular models and research in the literature. The variants have been classified according to the criteria of the American College of Medical Genetics. RESULTS: We report on 7 individuals carrying de novo missense variants in CNOT9, p.(Arg46Gly), p.(Pro131Leu), and p.(Arg227His), and, recurrent in 4 unrelated individuals, p.(Arg292Trp). All affected persons have developmental delay/intellectual disability, with 5 of them showing seizures. Other symptoms include muscular hypotonia, facial dysmorphism, and behavioral abnormalities. Molecular modeling predicted that the variants are damaging and would lead to reduced protein stability or impaired recognition of interaction partners. Functional analyses in previous studies showed a pathogenic effect of p.(Pro131Leu) and p.(Arg227His). CONCLUSION: We propose CNOT9 as a novel gene for neurodevelopmental disorder and epilepsy.


Subject(s)
Epilepsy , Intellectual Disability , Neurodevelopmental Disorders , Humans , Epilepsy/genetics , Intellectual Disability/genetics , Intellectual Disability/pathology , Mutation, Missense/genetics , Neurodevelopmental Disorders/genetics , Neurodevelopmental Disorders/pathology , Phenotype , Seizures/genetics
11.
Clin Case Rep ; 11(1): e6804, 2023 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36619483

ABSTRACT

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.6686.].

12.
Eur J Med Genet ; 66(2): 104692, 2023 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36592689

ABSTRACT

Poretti-Boltshauser syndrome (PTBHS) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by cerebellar dysplasia with cysts and an abnormal shape of the fourth ventricle on neuroimaging, due to pathogenic variants in the LAMA1 gene. The clinical spectrum mainly consists of neurological and ophthalmological manifestations, including non-progressive cerebellar ataxia, oculomotor apraxia, language impairment, intellectual disability, high myopia, abnormal eye movements and retinal dystrophy. We report a patient presenting with ventriculomegaly on antenatal neuroimaging and a neonatal diagnosis of Type III esophageal atresia. She subsequently developed severe myopia and strabismus with retinal dystrophy, mild developmental delay, and cerebellar dysplasia. Genetic investigations confirmed PTBHS. This report confirms previous reports of antenatal ventriculomegaly in PTBHS patients and documents a so far unreported occurrence of esophageal atresia in PTBHS. We additionally gathered phenotype and genotype descriptions of published cases in an effort to better define the spectrum of PTBHS.


Subject(s)
Abnormalities, Multiple , Apraxias , Cerebellar Ataxia , Esophageal Atresia , Hydrocephalus , Intellectual Disability , Myopia , Retinal Dystrophies , Pregnancy , Humans , Female , Cerebellar Ataxia/genetics , Intellectual Disability/genetics , Esophageal Atresia/diagnostic imaging , Esophageal Atresia/genetics , Abnormalities, Multiple/genetics , Phenotype , Retinal Dystrophies/genetics , Hydrocephalus/diagnostic imaging , Hydrocephalus/genetics , Apraxias/genetics , Myopia/genetics
13.
Eur J Pediatr ; 182(5): 1941-1948, 2023 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36602623

ABSTRACT

Children undergoing general anesthesia and surgery in the early years of life are exposed to the possible neurotoxicity of anesthetic agents. Prospective studies have shown deficits in behavior, executive function, social communication, and motor function in children undergoing anesthesia and surgery. Different biomarkers of neuronal injury have been evaluated neuronal injury in the pediatric population, among which neurofilaments represent a significant advantage as they are proteins exclusively expressed in neuronal tissue. Our aim was to evaluate the utility of serum neurofilament light (NfL) as a prognostic biomarker of neuronal injury in the pediatric population. A literature search was performed on PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Databases in November 2022 for studies concerning serum NfL in the pediatric population in addition to a neurological assessment. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) prospective or retrospective studies, (2) studies including pediatric population until the age of 18 years, (3) serum NfL sampling, and (4) evaluation of neurological outcome. Data collection regarding study design, pediatric age, serum NfL levels, and results for neurological assessment were extracted from each study. Four manuscripts met the inclusion criteria and evaluated the prognostic utility of serum NfL in neonatal encephalopathy in correlation with the neurodevelopmental outcome that was assessed by the Bayley Scales of Infant Development until the age of 2 years. Children with neonatal encephalopathy showed significantly higher serum NfL vs. healthy controls and high serum NfL levels predicted an adverse neurological outcome. The decrease of serum NfL to a nadir point between 10 and 15 years old reflects the brain growth in healthy controls. No studies were available in the perioperative period.  Conclusions: Serum NfL is a valuable biomarker in evaluating neuronal injury in the pediatric population. Further studies with perioperative serial sampling of serum NfL combined with standardized neurodevelopmental tests should be conducted to evaluate the neurotoxicity of anesthetic agents and monitor the effectiveness of specific neuroprotective strategies in pediatric patients undergoing anesthesia and surgery. What is Known: • Preclinical animal data have shown neurotoxicity of the anesthetic agents in the developing brain. • Data regarding anesthetic neurotoxicity in humans show limitations and no objective tools are available. What is New: • This systematic review showed that serum NfL is a valuable biomarker of neuronal injury in the pediatric population. • Perioperative use of serum NfL may be considered in future trials evaluating anesthetic neurotoxicity in the pediatric population and in monitoring neuroprotective strategies.


Subject(s)
Brain Diseases , Intermediate Filaments , Adolescent , Animals , Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Biomarkers , Prospective Studies , Retrospective Studies
14.
Clin Case Rep ; 10(12): e6686, 2022 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36483869

ABSTRACT

We report the case of a teenager with a neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) presenting a locked-in syndrome due to a brainstem ischemic syndrome. The presence of sudden or rapidly worsening onset of neurological deficits in NF2 patients, should evoke this underknown entity and not only tumors as predisposed by NF2.

15.
J Inherit Metab Dis ; 45(4): 848-861, 2022 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35460084

ABSTRACT

MTHFR deficiency is a severe inborn error of metabolism leading to impairment of the remethylation of homocysteine to methionine. Neonatal and early-onset patients mostly exhibit a life-threatening acute neurologic deterioration. Furthermore, data on early-onset patients' long-term outcomes are scarce. The aims of this study were (1) to study and describe the clinical and laboratory parameters of early-onset MTHFR-deficient patients (i.e., ≤3 months of age) and (2) to identify predictive factors for severe neurodevelopmental outcomes in a cohort with early and late onset MTHFR-deficient patients. To this end, we conducted a retrospective, multicentric, international cohort study on 72 patients with MTHFR deficiency from 32 international metabolic centres. Characteristics of the 32 patients with early-onset MTHFR deficiency were described at time of diagnosis and at the last follow-up visit. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictive factors of severe neurodevelopmental outcome in a broader set of patients with early and non-early-onset MTHFR deficiency. The majority of early-onset MTHFR-deficient patients (n = 32) exhibited neurologic symptoms (76%) and feeding difficulties (70%) at time of diagnosis. At the last follow-up visit (median follow-up time of 8.1 years), 76% of treated early-onset patients (n = 29) exhibited a severe neurodevelopmental outcome. Among the whole study population of 64 patients, pre-symptomatic diagnosis was independently associated with a significantly better neurodevelopmental outcome (adjusted OR 0.004, [0.002-0.232]; p = 0.003). This study provides evidence for benefits of pre-symptomatic diagnosis and appropriate therapeutic management, highlighting the need for systematic newborn screening for MTHFR deficiency and pre-symptomatic treatment that may improve outcome.


Subject(s)
Homocystinuria , Cohort Studies , Homocysteine , Homocystinuria/diagnosis , Homocystinuria/drug therapy , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)/deficiency , Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)/genetics , Muscle Spasticity/diagnosis , Psychotic Disorders , Retrospective Studies
16.
Am J Hum Genet ; 109(2): 345-360, 2022 02 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35045343

ABSTRACT

Free oligosaccharides (fOSs) are soluble oligosaccharide species generated during N-glycosylation of proteins. Although little is known about fOS metabolism, the recent identification of NGLY1 deficiency, a congenital disorder of deglycosylation (CDDG) caused by loss of function of an enzyme involved in fOS metabolism, has elicited increased interest in fOS processing. The catabolism of fOSs has been linked to the activity of a specific cytosolic mannosidase, MAN2C1, which cleaves α1,2-, α1,3-, and α1,6-mannose residues. In this study, we report the clinical, biochemical, and molecular features of six individuals, including two fetuses, with bi-allelic pathogenic variants in MAN2C1; the individuals are from four different families. These individuals exhibit dysmorphic facial features, congenital anomalies such as tongue hamartoma, variable degrees of intellectual disability, and brain anomalies including polymicrogyria, interhemispheric cysts, hypothalamic hamartoma, callosal anomalies, and hypoplasia of brainstem and cerebellar vermis. Complementation experiments with isogenic MAN2C1-KO HAP1 cells confirm the pathogenicity of three of the identified MAN2C1 variants. We further demonstrate that MAN2C1 variants lead to accumulation and delay in the processing of fOSs in proband-derived cells. These results emphasize the involvement of MAN2C1 in human neurodevelopmental disease and the importance of fOS catabolism.


Subject(s)
Central Nervous System Cysts/genetics , Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation/genetics , Hamartoma/genetics , Intellectual Disability/genetics , Oligosaccharides/metabolism , Peptide-N4-(N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminyl) Asparagine Amidase/deficiency , Polymicrogyria/genetics , alpha-Mannosidase/genetics , Adolescent , Alleles , Brain Stem/metabolism , Brain Stem/pathology , Cell Line, Tumor , Central Nervous System Cysts/metabolism , Central Nervous System Cysts/pathology , Cerebellar Vermis/metabolism , Cerebellar Vermis/pathology , Child , Child, Preschool , Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation/metabolism , Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation/pathology , Female , Fetus , Glycosylation , Hamartoma/metabolism , Hamartoma/pathology , Humans , Hypothalamus/metabolism , Hypothalamus/pathology , Intellectual Disability/metabolism , Intellectual Disability/pathology , Leukocytes/metabolism , Leukocytes/pathology , Male , Mannose/metabolism , Peptide-N4-(N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminyl) Asparagine Amidase/genetics , Peptide-N4-(N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminyl) Asparagine Amidase/metabolism , Polymicrogyria/metabolism , Polymicrogyria/pathology , Tongue/metabolism , Tongue/pathology , alpha-Mannosidase/deficiency
17.
Mol Genet Metab ; 136(3): 190-198, 2022 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34998670

ABSTRACT

Purines are essential molecules that are components of vital biomolecules, such as nucleic acids, coenzymes, signaling molecules, as well as energy transfer molecules. The de novo biosynthesis pathway starts from phosphoribosylpyrophosphate (PRPP) and eventually leads to the synthesis of inosine monophosphate (IMP) by means of 10 sequential steps catalyzed by six different enzymes, three of which are bi-or tri-functional in nature. IMP is then converted into guanosine monophosphate (GMP) or adenosine monophosphate (AMP), which are further phosphorylated into nucleoside di- or tri-phosphates, such as GDP, GTP, ADP and ATP. This review provides an overview of inborn errors of metabolism pertaining to purine synthesis in humans, including either phosphoribosylpyrophosphate synthetase (PRS) overactivity or deficiency, as well as adenylosuccinate lyase (ADSL), 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase/IMP cyclohydrolase (ATIC), phosphoribosylaminoimidazole succinocarboxamide synthetase (PAICS), and adenylosuccinate synthetase (ADSS) deficiencies. ITPase deficiency is being described as well. The clinical spectrum of these disorders is broad, including neurological impairment, such as psychomotor retardation, epilepsy, hypotonia, or microcephaly; sensory involvement, such as deafness and visual disturbances; multiple malformations, as well as muscle presentations or consequences of hyperuricemia, such as gouty arthritis or kidney stones. Clinical signs are often nonspecific and, thus, overlooked. It is to be hoped that this is likely to be gradually overcome by using sensitive biochemical investigations and next-generation sequencing technologies.


Subject(s)
Adenylosuccinate Lyase , Purine-Pyrimidine Metabolism, Inborn Errors , Adenylosuccinate Lyase/deficiency , Adenylosuccinate Lyase/genetics , Adenylosuccinate Lyase/metabolism , Autistic Disorder , Humans , Inosine Monophosphate , Purine-Pyrimidine Metabolism, Inborn Errors/genetics , Purine-Pyrimidine Metabolism, Inborn Errors/metabolism , Purines
18.
J Inherit Metab Dis ; 45(2): 215-222, 2022 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34687058

ABSTRACT

Liver disease, occurring during pediatric or adult age, is often of undetermined cause. Some cases are probably related to undiagnosed inherited metabolic disorders. Hepatic disorders associated with fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase deficiency, a gluconeogenesis defect, are not reported in the literature. These symptoms are mainly described during acute crises, and many reports do not mention them because hypoglycemia and hyperlactatemia are more frequently in the forefront. Herein, the liver manifestations of 18 patients affected with fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase deficiency are described and the corresponding literature is reviewed. Interestingly, all 18 patients had liver abnormalities either during follow-up (hepatomegaly [n = 8/18], elevation of transaminases [n = 6/15], bright liver [n = 7/11]) or during acute crises (hepatomegaly [n = 10/17], elevation of transaminases [n = 13/16], acute liver failure [n = 6/14], bright liver [n = 4/14]). Initial reports described cases of liver steatosis, when liver biopsy was necessary to confirm the diagnosis by an enzymatic study. There is no clear pathophysiological basis for this fatty liver disease but we postulate that endoplasmic reticulum stress and de novo lipogenesis activation could be key factors, as observed in FBP1 knockout mice. Liver steatosis may expose patients to severe long-term liver complications. As hypoglycemia becomes less frequent with age, most adult patients are no longer monitored by hepatologist. Signs of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase deficiency may be subtle and can be missed in childhood. We suggest that fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase deficiency should be considered as an etiology of hepatic steatosis, and a liver monitoring protocol should be set up for these patients, during lifelong follow-up.


Subject(s)
Fatty Liver , Fructose-1,6-Diphosphatase Deficiency , Hypoglycemia , Animals , Follow-Up Studies , Fructose , Fructose-1,6-Diphosphatase Deficiency/complications , Fructose-1,6-Diphosphatase Deficiency/diagnosis , Fructose-Bisphosphatase/metabolism , Hepatomegaly , Humans , Hypoglycemia/complications , Liver/metabolism , Mice , Transaminases
20.
Mol Genet Genomic Med ; 9(9): e1768, 2021 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34402213

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Primary microcephaly (PM) is defined as a significant reduction in occipitofrontal circumference (OFC) of prenatal onset. Clinical and genetic heterogeneity of PM represents a diagnostic challenge. METHODS: We performed detailed phenotypic and genomic analyses in a large cohort (n = 169) of patients referred for PM and could establish a molecular diagnosis in 38 patients. RESULTS: Pathogenic variants in ASPM and WDR62 were the most frequent causes in non-consanguineous patients in our cohort. In consanguineous patients, microarray and targeted gene panel analyses reached a diagnostic yield of 67%, which contrasts with a much lower rate in non-consanguineous patients (9%). Our series includes 11 novel pathogenic variants and we identify novel candidate genes including IGF2BP3 and DNAH2. We confirm the progression of microcephaly over time in affected children. Epilepsy was an important associated feature in our PM cohort, affecting 34% of patients with a molecular confirmation of the PM diagnosis, with various degrees of severity and seizure types. CONCLUSION: Our findings will help to prioritize genomic investigations, accelerate molecular diagnoses, and improve the management of PM patients.


Subject(s)
Consanguinity , Epilepsy/genetics , Genotype , Microcephaly/genetics , Phenotype , Cell Cycle Proteins/genetics , Child , Epilepsy/epidemiology , Epilepsy/pathology , Female , Gene Frequency , Genetic Heterogeneity , Humans , Incidence , Male , Microcephaly/complications , Microcephaly/pathology , Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics
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