A novel variant of TNNC1 associated with severe dilated cardiomyopathy causing infant mortality and stillbirth: a case of germline mosaicism.

Pediatric cardiomyopathies (CM) are rare and challenging to diagnose due to the complex and mixed phenotypes. With the advent of next-generation sequencing (NGS), variants in several genes associated with CM have been identified, such as Troponin C (TnC), encoded by the TNNC1 gene. De novo variants in TNNC1 have been associated with different types of CM, including dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics recently added TNNC1 to their recommended list of genes for reporting secondary findings. In this study, we report a de novo variant, c.100G>C (p.Gly34Arg) in the TNNC1 gene identified in three siblings with a diagnosis of severe DCM causing infant death for one of the siblings and stillbirth in the other two pregnancies. The identification of the same de novo variant in all affected siblings is suggestive of germline mosaicism in this family.

Let's talk about faces: Identifying faces from verbal descriptions.

Face descriptions inform real-world identification decisions, for example when eyewitnesses describe criminal perpetrators. However, it is unclear how effective face descriptions are for identification. Here, we examined the accuracy of face identification from verbal descriptions, and how individual differences in face perception relate to producing and using descriptions for identification. In Study 1, participants completed a face communication task in pairs. Each participant saw a single face, and via verbal communication only, the pair decided if they were viewing the same person or different people. Dyads achieved 72% accuracy, compared to 81% when participants completed the task individually by matching face pairs side-by-side. Performance on the face communication and perceptual matching tasks were uncorrelated, perhaps due to low measurement reliability of the face communication task. In subsequent studies, we examined the abilities of face 'describers' (Study 2) and 'identifiers' separately (Study 3). We found that 'super-recognizers' - people with extremely high perceptual face identification abilities - outperformed controls in both studies. Overall, these results show that people can successfully describe faces for identification. Preliminary evidence suggests that this ability - and the ability use facial descriptions for identification - has some association with perceptual face identification skill.

Long-term retinal imaging of a case of suspected congenital rubella infection.

PURPOSE: Many retinal disorders present with pigmentary retinopathy, most of which are progressive conditions. Here we present over nine years of follow up on a case of stable pigmentary retinopathy that is suspected to stem from a congenital rubella infection. Parafoveal cone photoreceptors were tracked through this period to gain insight into photoreceptor disruption in this pigmentary retinopathy. METHODS: The patient was examined at 8 visits spanning a total of 111 months. Examination at baseline included clinical fundus examination, full-field electroretinography (ERG), kinetic visual field assessment (Goldmann), and best corrected visual acuity; all of these except ERG were repeated at follow up visits. Imaging was performed with fundus photography, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and confocal adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO). For the latter four time points AOSLO imaging also included split-detector imaging. RESULTS: There were no defects in hearing or cardiac health found in this patient. There were minimal visual deficits found at baseline, with mild rod suppression on ERG; best corrected visual acuity was 20/25 OD and 20/20 OS at baseline, which was stable throughout the follow-up period. Retinal thickness as measured by OCT was within the normal range, though foveal hypoplasia was present and outer nuclear layer thickness was slightly below the normal range at all time points. Cone density was relatively stable throughout the follow-up period. A number of cones were non-reflective when observed with confocal AOSLO imaging and density was markedly lower than expected values (foveal cone density was 43,782 cones/mm2 on average). Genetic analysis revealed no causative variations explaining the phenotype. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: This patient appears to have a stable pigmentary retinopathy. This case is likely due to a congenital insult, rather than progressive retinal disease. This finding of stability agrees with other reports of rubella pigmentary retinopathy. Imaging with AOSLO enabled observation of two notable phenotypic features. First is the observation of dark cones, which are seen in many retinal disorders including color vision defects and degenerative retinal disease. Second, the cone density is well below what is expected - this is especially interesting as this patient has near-normal visual acuity despite this greatly decreased number of normally-waveguiding cones in the fovea.

PITX2 deficiency and associated human disease: insights from the zebrafish model.

The PITX2 (paired-like homeodomain 2) gene encodes a bicoid-like homeodomain transcription factor linked with several human disorders. The main associated congenital phenotype is Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome, type 1, an autosomal dominant condition characterized by variable defects in the anterior segment of the eye, an increased risk of glaucoma, craniofacial dysmorphism and dental and umbilical anomalies; in addition to this, one report implicated PITX2 in ring dermoid of the cornea and a few others described cardiac phenotypes. We report three novel PITX2 mutations-c.271C > T, p.(Arg91Trp); c.259T > C, p.(Phe87Leu); and c.356delA, p.(Gln119Argfs*36)-identified in independent families with typical Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome characteristics and some unusual features such as corneal guttata, Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome, and hyperextensibility. To gain further insight into the diverse roles of PITX2/pitx2 in vertebrate development, we generated various genetic lesions in the pitx2 gene via TALEN-mediated genome editing. Affected homozygous zebrafish demonstrated congenital defects consistent with the range of PITX2-associated human phenotypes: abnormal development of the cornea, iris and iridocorneal angle; corneal dermoids; and craniofacial dysmorphism. In addition, via comparison of pitx2M64* and wild-type embryonic ocular transcriptomes we defined molecular changes associated with pitx2 deficiency, thereby implicating processes potentially underlying disease pathology. This analysis identified numerous affected factors including several members of the Wnt pathway and collagen types I and V gene families. These data further support the link between PITX2 and the WNT pathway and suggest a new role in regulation of collagen gene expression during development.

Analysis of CYP1B1 in pediatric and adult glaucoma and other ocular phenotypes.

PURPOSE: The CYP1B1 gene encodes an enzyme that is a member of the cytochrome P450 superfamily. Mutations in CYP1B1 have been mainly reported in recessive pediatric ocular phenotypes, such as primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) and congenital glaucoma with anterior segment dysgenesis (CG with ASD), with some likely pathogenic variants also identified in families affected with adult-onset primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). METHODS: We examined CYP1B1 in 158 pediatric patients affected with PCG (eight), CG with ASD (22), CG with other developmental ocular disorders (11), juvenile glaucoma with or without additional ocular anomalies (26), and ASD or other developmental ocular conditions without glaucoma (91); in addition, a large cohort of adult patients with POAG (193) and POAG-negative controls (288) was examined. RESULTS: Recessive pathogenic variants in CYP1B1 were identified in two PCG pedigrees, three cases with CG and ASD, and two families with CG and other ocular defects, such as sclerocornea in one patient and microphthalmia in another individual; neither sclerocornea nor microphthalmia has been previously associated with CYP1B1. Most of the identified causative mutations are new occurrences of previously reported pathogenic alleles with two novel variants identified: a c.1325delC, p.(Pro442Glnfs*15) frameshift allele in a family with PCG and a c.157G>A, p.(Gly53Ser) variant identified in a proband with CG, Peters anomaly, and microphthalmia. Analysis of the family history in the CYP1B1-positive families revealed POAG in confirmed or presumed heterozygous relatives in one family with PCG and two families with ASD/CG; POAG was associated with the c.1064_1076del, p.(Arg355Hisfs*69) allele in two of these pedigrees. Screening of an unrelated POAG cohort identified the same c.1064_1076del heterozygous allele in one individual with sporadic POAG but not in age- and ethnicity-matched POAG-negative individuals. Overall, there was no significant enrichment for mutant alleles in CYP1B1 within the POAG cases compared to the controls. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, these data expand the mutational and phenotypic spectra of CYP1B1 to include two novel alleles and additional developmental ocular phenotypes. The contribution of CYP1B1 to POAG is less clear, but loss-of-function variants in CYP1B1, especially c.1064_1076del, p.(Arg355Hisfs*69), may be associated with an increased risk for POAG.

A case of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome with Peters anomaly, congenital glaucoma, and heterozygous mutation in CYP1B1.

We read with interest the recent publication by Tarlan and colleagues 1 describing a patient with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and ocular features of right microphthalmia and left anterior segment dysgenesis. While anterior segment dysgenesis disorders are occasionally reported with 22q11.2 deletions, 2-5 this remains a rare association. We report here an 8-year-old patient with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and bilateral Peters anomaly with congenital glaucoma; in addition, our patient was found to have a single heterozygous mutation in CYP1B1, c.83C > T, p.(Ser28Trp).

Identification of a novel C-terminal extension mutation in EPHA2 in a family affected with congenital cataract.

PURPOSE: Congenital cataracts occur in 3-4 per 10,000 live births and account for 5% to 20% of pediatric blindness worldwide. With more than 37 genes known to be associated with isolated congenital cataract, whole exome sequencing (WES) was recently introduced as an efficient method for screening all known factors. METHODS: Whole exome analysis in two members of a four-generation pedigree affected with dominant congenital cataract and glaucoma was performed by WES; co-segregation analysis of identified variants in all pedigree members was completed by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: Analysis of the WES data identified a novel pathogenic variant in EPHA2, c.2925dupC, p.(Ile976Hisfs*37), that demonstrated complete cosegregation with the phenotype in the pedigree. The mutation occurs in the final amino acid before the stop codon of the normal EPHA2 protein and is predicted to produce a mutant protein with an erroneous C-terminal extension of 35 amino acids. Nine other families have been previously reported with dominant congenital/juvenile cataracts and mutations in EPHA2. Two additional likely loss-of-function variants in genes known to cause dominant congenital cataract were considered and excluded based on control data and cosegregation analysis: a nonsense variant in CYRBB3, c.547G>T, p.(Glu183*), and a splicing variant in CRYBA2, c.446+1G>A. CONCLUSIONS: Identification of a novel pathogenic EPHA2 allele further implicates this gene in congenital cataract. This is only the second EPHA2 mutation that specifically affects the most C-terminal PSD95/Dlg/ZO1 (PDZ)-binding motif and the third pathogenic allele associated with an erroneous C-terminal extension beyond the normal stop codon.

Whole exome sequencing in dominant cataract identifies a new causative factor, CRYBA2, and a variety of novel alleles in known genes.

Pediatric cataracts are observed in 1-15 per 10,000 births with 10-25 % of cases attributed to genetic causes; autosomal dominant inheritance is the most commonly observed pattern. Since the specific cataract phenotype is not sufficient to predict which gene is mutated, whole exome sequencing (WES) was utilized to concurrently screen all known cataract genes and to examine novel candidate factors for a disease-causing mutation in probands from 23 pedigrees affected with familial dominant cataract. Review of WES data for 36 known cataract genes identified causative mutations in nine pedigrees (39 %) in CRYAA, CRYBB1, CRYBB3, CRYGC (2), CRYGD, GJA8 (2), and MIP and an additional likely causative mutation in EYA1; the CRYBB3 mutation represents the first dominant allele in this gene and demonstrates incomplete penetrance. Examination of crystallin genes not yet linked to human disease identified a novel cataract gene, CRYBA2, a member of the ßγ-crystallin superfamily. The p.(Val50Met) mutation in CRYBA2 cosegregated with disease phenotype in a four-generation pedigree with autosomal dominant congenital cataracts with incomplete penetrance. Expression studies detected cryba2 transcripts during early lens development in zebrafish, supporting its role in congenital disease. Our data highlight the extreme genetic heterogeneity of dominant cataract as the eleven causative/likely causative mutations affected nine different genes, and the majority of mutant alleles were novel. Furthermore, these data suggest that less than half of dominant cataract can be explained by mutations in currently known genes.

PITX2 and FOXC1 spectrum of mutations in ocular syndromes.

Anterior segment dysgenesis (ASD) encompasses a broad spectrum of developmental conditions affecting anterior ocular structures and associated with an increased risk for glaucoma. Various systemic anomalies are often observed in ASD conditions such as Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome (ARS) and De Hauwere syndrome. We report DNA sequencing and copy number analysis of PITX2 and FOXC1 in 76 patients with syndromic or isolated ASD and related conditions. PITX2 mutations and deletions were found in 24 patients with dental and/or umbilical anomalies seen in all. Seven PITX2-mutant alleles were novel including c.708_730del, the most C-terminal mutation reported to date. A second case of deletion of the distant upstream but not coding region of PITX2 was identified, highlighting the importance of this recently discovered mechanism for ARS. FOXC1 deletions were observed in four cases, three of which demonstrated hearing and/or heart defects, including a patient with De Hauwere syndrome; no nucleotide mutations in FOXC1 were identified. Review of the literature identified several other patients with 6p25 deletions and features of De Hauwere syndrome. The 1.3-Mb deletion of 6p25 presented here defines the critical region for this phenotype and includes the FOXC1, FOXF2, and FOXQ1 genes. In summary, PITX2 or FOXC1 disruptions explained 63% of ARS and 6% of other ASD in our cohort; all affected patients demonstrated additional systemic defects with PITX2 mutations showing a strong association with dental and/or umbilical anomalies and FOXC1 with heart and hearing defects. FOXC1 deletion was also found to be associated with De Hauwere syndrome.

VSX2 mutations in autosomal recessive microphthalmia.

PURPOSE: To further explore the spectrum of mutations in the Visual System Homeobox 2 (VSX2/CHX10) gene previously found to be associated with autosomal recessive microphthalmia. METHODS: We screened 95 probands with syndromic or isolated developmental ocular conditions (including 55 with anophthalmia/microphthalmia) for mutations in VSX2. RESULTS: Homozygous mutations in VSX2 were identified in two out of five consanguineous families with isolated microphthalmia. A novel missense mutation, c.668G>C (p.G223A), was identified in a large Pakistani family with multiple sibships affected with bilateral microphthalmia. This p.G223A mutation affects the conserved CVC motif that was shown to be important for DNA binding and repression activities of VSX2. The second mutation, c.249delG (p.Leu84SerfsX57), was identified in an Iranian family with microphthalmia; this mutation has been previously reported and is predicted to generate a severely truncated mutant protein completely lacking the VSX2 homeodomain, CVC domain and COOH-terminal regions. CONCLUSIONS: Mutations in VSX2 represent an important cause of autosomal recessive microphthalmia in consanguineous pedigrees. Identification of a second missense mutation in the CVC motif emphasizes the importance of this region for normal VSX2 function.

BMP4 loss-of-function mutations in developmental eye disorders including SHORT syndrome.

BMP4 loss-of-function mutations and deletions have been shown to be associated with ocular, digital, and brain anomalies, but due to the paucity of these reports, the full phenotypic spectrum of human BMP4 mutations is not clear. We screened 133 patients with a variety of ocular disorders for BMP4 coding region mutations or genomic deletions. BMP4 deletions were detected in two patients: a patient affected with SHORT syndrome and a patient with anterior segment anomalies along with craniofacial dysmorphism and cognitive impairment. In addition to this, three intragenic BMP4 mutations were identified. A patient with anophthalmia, microphthalmia with sclerocornea, right-sided diaphragmatic hernia, and hydrocephalus was found to have a c.592C >T (p.R198X) nonsense mutation in BMP4. A frameshift mutation, c.171dupC (p.E58RfsX17), was identified in two half-siblings with anophthalmia/microphthalmia, discordant developmental delay/postaxial polydactyly, and poor growth as well as their unaffected mother; one affected sibling carried an additional BMP4 mutation in the second allele, c.362A > G (p.H121R). This is the first report indicating a role for BMP4 in SHORT syndrome, Axenfeld-Rieger malformation, growth delay, macrocephaly, and diaphragmatic hernia. These results significantly expand the number of reported loss-of-function mutations, further support the critical role of BMP4 in ocular development, and provide additional evidence of variable expression/non-penetrance of BMP4 mutations.

A genetic and molecular toolbox for analyzing histone ubiquitylation and sumoylation in yeast.

Combinations of phosphorylation, acetylation, methylation, ubiquitylation, and sumoylation of histones comprise what is referred to as the "histone code". These marks influence processes from transcription to DNA replication, where gaining access to DNA organized in chromatin is necessary. Much emphasis has been placed on the role of histone ubiquitylation and sumoylation during the process of transcription. Histone H2B is monoubiquitylated at lysine 123 in budding yeast and influences gene activation. All four of the core histones are sumoylated on their amino terminal tails in this organism, and this serves to negatively regulate gene expression. Because antibodies specific for ubiquitylated or sumoylated yeast histones are not commercially available, and these marks are highly sensitive to proteolysis in native cell extracts, special genetic and molecular tools have been developed to monitor these dynamic and often rare modifications in vivo. Here, we describe some of these tools, with emphasis on how they can be used for transcriptional studies.

Examination of SOX2 in variable ocular conditions identifies a recurrent deletion in microphthalmia and lack of mutations in other phenotypes.

PURPOSE: The role of SRY-Box 2 (SOX2) in anophthalmia/microphthalmia (A/M) is well known, with 10%-20% of A/M explained by mutations in SOX2. SOX2 plays roles in the development of both the posterior and anterior segment structures of the eye and relies on interactions with tissue-specific partner proteins to execute its function, raising the possibility that SOX2 mutations may result in varying ocular phenotypes. Recent data has identified a missense mutation in SOX2 in an extended pedigree with phenotypes as varied as A/M, isolated iris hypoplasia, iris and chorioretinal coloboma, pupil defects, and hypermetropia, suggesting a broader phenotypic spectrum associated with SOX2 mutations. METHODS: Screening of SOX2 was completed in 89 patients with a variety of ocular anomalies, including 28 with A/M and 61 with normal eye size and anterior segment dysgenesis (28), cataract (14), isolated coloboma (5), or other eye disorders (14). RESULTS: The recurrent de novo frameshift mutation c.70del20 was identified in one patient with microphthalmia and syndromic anomalies consistent with SOX2 anophthalmia syndrome; the mutation frequency in our A/M population (4%) was lower than previously reported; it is likely that extensive utilization of clinical SOX2 testing has led to a bias toward SOX2-negative A/M cases in our research cohort. No disease-causing mutations were identified in patients with non-microphthalmia phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS: The recurrent c.70del20 mutation accounts for 21% of all independent SOX2 mutations reported to date. Due to the increased use of clinical SOX2 testing, the frequency of SOX2 mutations identified in research A/M populations will likely continue to decrease. Mutations in SOX2 do not appear to be a common cause of ocular defects other than anophthalmia/microphthalmia.

FOXE3 plays a significant role in autosomal recessive microphthalmia.

FOXE3 forkhead transcription factor is essential to lens development in vertebrates. The eyes of Foxe3/foxe3-deficient mice and zebrafish fail to develop normally. In humans, autosomal dominant and recessive mutations in FOXE3 have been associated with variable phenotypes including anterior segment anomalies, cataract, and microphthalmia. We undertook sequencing of FOXE3 in 116 probands with a spectrum of ocular defects ranging from anterior segment dysgenesis and cataract to anophthalmia/microphthalmia. Recessive mutations in FOXE3 were found in four of 26 probands affected with bilateral microphthalmia (15% of all bilateral microphthalmia and 100% of consanguineous families with this phenotype). FOXE3-positive microphthalmia was accompanied by aphakia and/or corneal defects; no other associated systemic anomalies were observed in FOXE3-positive families. The previously reported c.720C > A (p.C240X) nonsense mutation was identified in two additional families in our sample and therefore appears to be recurrent, now reported in three independent microphthalmia families of varied ethnic backgrounds. Several missense variants were identified at varying frequencies in patient and control groups with some apparently being race-specific, which underscores the importance of utilizing race/ethnicity-matched control populations in evaluating the relevance of genetic screening results. In conclusion, FOXE3 mutations represent an important cause of nonsyndromic autosomal recessive bilateral microphthalmia.

Novel SOX2 mutations and genotype-phenotype correlation in anophthalmia and microphthalmia.

SOX2 represents a High Mobility Group domain containing transcription factor that is essential for normal development in vertebrates. Mutations in SOX2 are known to result in a spectrum of severe ocular phenotypes in humans, also typically associated with other systemic defects. Ocular phenotypes include anophthalmia/microphthalmia (A/M), optic nerve hypoplasia, ocular coloboma and other eye anomalies. We screened 51 unrelated individuals with A/M and identified SOX2 mutations in the coding region of the gene in 10 individuals. Seven of the identified mutations are novel alterations, while the remaining three individuals carry the previously reported recurrent 20-nucleotide deletion in SOX2, c.70del20. Among the SOX2-positive cases, seven patients had bilateral A/M and mutations resulting in premature termination of the normal protein sequence (7/38; 18% of all bilateral cases), one patient had bilateral A/M associated with a single amino acid insertion (1/38; 3% of bilateral cases), and the final two patients demonstrated unilateral A/M associated with missense mutations (2/13; 15% of all unilateral cases). These findings and review of previously reported cases suggest a potential genotype/phenotype correlation for SOX2 mutations with missense changes generally leading to less severe ocular defects. In addition, we report a new familial case of affected siblings with maternal mosaicism for the identified SOX2 mutation, which further underscores the importance of parental testing to provide accurate genetic counseling to families.

Phosphoregulation of human Mps1 kinase.

The dual-specificity protein kinase Mps1 (monopolar spindle 1) is a phosphoprotein required for error-free mitotic progression in eukaryotes. In the present study, we have investigated human Mps1 phosphorylation using combined mass spectrometric, mutational and phosphospecific antibody approaches. We have identified 16 sites of Mps1 autophosphorylation in vitro, several of which are required for catalytic activity after expression in bacteria or in cultured human cells. Using novel phosphospecific antibodies, we show that endogenous Mps1 is phosphorylated on Thr(686) and Ser(821) during mitosis, and demonstrate that phosphorylated Mps1 localizes to the centrosomes of metaphase cells. Taken together, these results reveal the complexity of Mps1 regulation by multi-site phosphorylation, and demonstrate conclusively that phosphorylated Mps1 associates with centrosomes in mitotic human cells.

Mutation analysis of B3GALTL in Peters Plus syndrome.

Peters Plus syndrome comprises ocular anterior segment dysgenesis (most commonly Peters anomaly), short stature, hand anomalies, distinctive facial features, and often other additional defects and is inherited in an autosomal-recessive pattern. Mutations in the beta1,3-glucosyltransferase gene (B3GALTL) were recently reported in 20 out of 20 patients with Peters Plus syndrome. In our study, B3GALTL was examined in four patients with typical Peters Plus syndrome and four patients that demonstrated a phenotypic overlap with this condition. Mutations in B3GALTL were identified in all four patients with typical Peters Plus syndrome, while no mutations were found in the remaining four patients that demonstrated some but not all characteristic features of the syndrome. The previously reported common mutation, c.660 + 1G > A, accounted for 75% of the mutant alleles in our Peters Plus syndrome population. In addition, two new mutant alleles, c.459 + 1G > A and c.230insT, were identified and predicted to result in truncated protein products. These data confirm an important role for B3GALTL in causing typical Peters Plus syndrome, and suggest that this gene may not be implicated in syndromic cases that involve Peters anomaly but lack other classic features of this complex condition.

VX-680 inhibits Aurora A and Aurora B kinase activity in human cells.

VX-680, also known as MK-0457, is a member of a diverse group of small molecules that inhibit the Aurora kinases, and has shown significant potential as an anti-cancer agent. In keeping with many protein kinase inhibitors, this compound is not a monospecific agent, and its cellular specificity remains largely unknown. In cells, VX-680 blocks mitotic Histone H3 phosphorylation and induces polyploidy and apoptosis, consistent with inhibition of the mitotic protein kinase Aurora B. In this study, we have investigated the effects of VX-680 in proliferating human cancer cells, and demonstrate that it blocks the phosphorylation and activation of both Aurora A and B. Additionally, VX-680 suppresses the phosphorylation of specific substrates of each enzyme, including the Aurora A target TACC3 on Ser558. Exposure to VX-680 induces a monopolar spindle phenotype, delays mitotic progression and rapidly overrides the spindle assembly checkpoint in the presence of spindle poisons. VX-680 also exhibits potent cytotoxicity when compared to the well documented Aurora B inhibitor ZM447439. Taken together, these data identify Aurora A and Aurora B as dual intracellular targets of VX-680.