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1.
Am J Hum Genet ; 109(5): 909-927, 2022 05 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35390279

ABSTRACT

Pontocerebellar hypoplasias (PCHs) are congenital disorders characterized by hypoplasia or early atrophy of the cerebellum and brainstem, leading to a very limited motor and cognitive development. Although over 20 genes have been shown to be mutated in PCHs, a large proportion of affected individuals remains undiagnosed. We describe four families with children presenting with severe neonatal brainstem dysfunction and pronounced deficits in cognitive and motor development associated with four different bi-allelic mutations in PRDM13, including homozygous truncating variants in the most severely affected individuals. Brain MRI and fetopathological examination revealed a PCH-like phenotype, associated with major hypoplasia of inferior olive nuclei and dysplasia of the dentate nucleus. Notably, histopathological examinations highlighted a sparse and disorganized Purkinje cell layer in the cerebellum. PRDM13 encodes a transcriptional repressor known to be critical for neuronal subtypes specification in the mouse retina and spinal cord but had not been implicated, so far, in hindbrain development. snRNA-seq data mining and in situ hybridization in humans show that PRDM13 is expressed at early stages in the progenitors of the cerebellar ventricular zone, which gives rise to cerebellar GABAergic neurons, including Purkinje cells. We also show that loss of function of prdm13 in zebrafish leads to a reduction in Purkinje cells numbers and a complete absence of the inferior olive nuclei. Altogether our data identified bi-allelic mutations in PRDM13 as causing a olivopontocerebellar hypoplasia syndrome and suggest that early deregulations of the transcriptional control of neuronal fate specification could contribute to a significant number of cases.


Subject(s)
Brain Diseases , Zebrafish , Animals , Brain Diseases/pathology , Brain Stem , Cerebellum/abnormalities , Cerebellum/pathology , Developmental Disabilities , Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase/genetics , Humans , Mice , Mutation/genetics , Nervous System Malformations , Neurogenesis/genetics , Purkinje Cells/metabolism , Transcription Factors/genetics , Zebrafish/metabolism
2.
Am J Hum Genet ; 107(6): 1178-1185, 2020 12 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33242396

ABSTRACT

We have previously described a heart-, eye-, and brain-malformation syndrome caused by homozygous loss-of-function variants in SMG9, which encodes a critical component of the nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) machinery. Here, we describe four consanguineous families with four different likely deleterious homozygous variants in SMG8, encoding a binding partner of SMG9. The observed phenotype greatly resembles that linked to SMG9 and comprises severe global developmental delay, microcephaly, facial dysmorphism, and variable congenital heart and eye malformations. RNA-seq analysis revealed a general increase in mRNA expression levels with significant overrepresentation of core NMD substrates. We also identified increased phosphorylation of UPF1, a key SMG1-dependent step in NMD, which most likely represents the loss of SMG8--mediated inhibition of SMG1 kinase activity. Our data show that SMG8 and SMG9 deficiency results in overlapping developmental disorders that most likely converge mechanistically on impaired NMD.


Subject(s)
Developmental Disabilities/genetics , Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/genetics , Nonsense Mediated mRNA Decay , Adolescent , Brain/abnormalities , Child , Child, Preschool , Consanguinity , Developmental Disabilities/metabolism , Family Health , Female , Gene Deletion , Genetic Linkage , Heart Defects, Congenital/genetics , Homozygote , Humans , Infant , Male , Pedigree , Phenotype , Phosphorylation , RNA Helicases/metabolism , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , RNA-Seq , Trans-Activators/metabolism , Young Adult
3.
J Clin Immunol ; 43(2): 452-465, 2023 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36324046

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Early identification of inborn errors of immunity (IEIs) is crucial due to the significant risk of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to describe the genetic causes, clinical features, and survival rate of IEIs in Omani patients. METHODS: A prospective study of all Omani patients evaluated for immunodeficiency was conducted over a 17-year period. Clinical features and diagnostic immunological findings were recorded. Targeted gene testing was performed in cases of obvious immunodeficiency. For cases with less conclusive phenotypes, a gene panel was performed, followed by whole-exome sequencing if necessary. RESULTS: A total of 185 patients were diagnosed with IEIs during the study period; of these, 60.5% were male. Mean ages at symptom onset and diagnosis were 30.0 and 50.5 months, respectively. Consanguinity and a family history of IEIs were present in 86.9% and 50.8%, respectively. Most patients presented with lower respiratory infections (65.9%), followed by growth and development manifestations (43.2%). Phagocytic defects were the most common cause of IEIs (31.9%), followed by combined immunodeficiency (21.1%). Overall, 109 of 132 patients (82.6%) who underwent genetic testing received a genetic diagnosis, while testing was inconclusive for the remaining 23 patients (17.4%). Among patients with established diagnoses, 37 genes and 44 variants were identified. Autosomal recessive inheritance was present in 81.7% of patients with gene defects. Several variants were novel. Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy was administered to 39.4% of patients and 21.6% received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The overall survival rate was 75.1%. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the genetic causes of IEIs in Omani patients. This information may help in the early identification and management of the disease, thereby improving survival and quality of life.


Subject(s)
Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes , Quality of Life , Male , Humans , Female , Prospective Studies , Genetic Testing , Phenotype , Consanguinity , Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes/genetics
4.
Genet Med ; 25(11): 100938, 2023 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37454282

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Biallelic variants in TARS2, encoding the mitochondrial threonyl-tRNA-synthetase, have been reported in a small group of individuals displaying a neurodevelopmental phenotype but with limited neuroradiological data and insufficient evidence for causality of the variants. METHODS: Exome or genome sequencing was carried out in 15 families. Clinical and neuroradiological evaluation was performed for all affected individuals, including review of 10 previously reported individuals. The pathogenicity of TARS2 variants was evaluated using in vitro assays and a zebrafish model. RESULTS: We report 18 new individuals harboring biallelic TARS2 variants. Phenotypically, these individuals show developmental delay/intellectual disability, regression, cerebellar and cerebral atrophy, basal ganglia signal alterations, hypotonia, cerebellar signs, and increased blood lactate. In vitro studies showed that variants within the TARS2301-381 region had decreased binding to Rag GTPases, likely impairing mTORC1 activity. The zebrafish model recapitulated key features of the human phenotype and unraveled dysregulation of downstream targets of mTORC1 signaling. Functional testing of the variants confirmed the pathogenicity in a zebrafish model. CONCLUSION: We define the clinico-radiological spectrum of TARS2-related mitochondrial disease, unveil the likely involvement of the mTORC1 signaling pathway as a distinct molecular mechanism, and establish a TARS2 zebrafish model as an important tool to study variant pathogenicity.


Subject(s)
RNA, Transfer , Zebrafish , Animals , Humans , Mutation , Zebrafish/genetics , Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 , Ligases , Phenotype
5.
Clin Genet ; 103(4): 484-491, 2023 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36576126

ABSTRACT

Protein translation is an essential cellular process and dysfunctional protein translation causes various neurodevelopmental disorders. The eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1A (eEF1A) delivers aminoacyl-tRNA to the ribosome, while the eEF1B complex acts as a guanine exchange factor (GEF) of GTP for GDP indirectly catalyzing the release of eEF1A from the ribosome. The gene EEF1D encodes the eEF1Bδ subunit of the eEF1B complex. EEF1D is alternatively spliced giving rise to one long and three short isoforms. Two different homozygous, truncating variants in EEF1D had been associated with severe intellectual disability and microcephaly in two families. The published variants only affect the long isoform of EEF1D that acts as a transcription factor of heat shock element proteins. By exome sequencing, we identified two different homozygous variants in EEF1D in two families with severe developmental delay, severe microcephaly, spasticity, and failure to thrive with optic atrophy, poor feeding, and recurrent aspiration pneumonia. The EEF1D variants reported in this study are localized in the C-terminal GEF domain, suggesting that a disturbed protein translation machinery might contribute to the neurodevelopmental phenotype. Pathogenic variants localized in both the alternatively spliced domain or the GEF domain of EEF1D cause a severe neurodevelopmental disorder with microcephaly and spasticity.


Subject(s)
Microcephaly , Neurodevelopmental Disorders , Humans , Guanine , Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors/genetics , Neurodevelopmental Disorders/genetics , Protein Isoforms/genetics , Peptide Elongation Factor 1
6.
Pediatr Transplant ; 27(8): e14603, 2023 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37658594

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Domino liver transplant (DLT) represents another type of liver donor to expand the donor pool. Recent reports of successful DLT in children with maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) show promising long-term outcomes. METHODS: It was a retrospective study. All children with MSUD were paired with either recipients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) or non-MSUD metabolic disease. Each pair underwent simultaneous liver transplant (LT), where the MSUD recipient received the graft from a living-related donor and the liver explanted from the MSUD donor was transplanted to the respective paired domino recipient. We report our experience regarding the techniques and outcomes of DLT at our center. RESULTS: Eleven children with MSUD and 12 respective DLT recipients were enrolled, one of which was domino split-liver transplantation. DLT recipients included seven ESLD, two propionic acidemia (PA), one glycogen storage disease(GSD) type-1, one GSD type-3, and one Citrullinemia. Post-LT ICU and hospital stays were comparable (p > .05). Patient and graft survival was 100% and 66.6% in the MSUD group and DLT recipients at a mean follow-up of 13.5 and 15 months. There was no death in the MSUD group as compared to four in the DLT group. The amino acid levels rapidly normalized after the LT in the children with MSUD and they tolerated the normal unrestricted diet. No vascular, biliary, or graft-related complications were seen in the post-transplant period. No occurrence of MSUD was noted in DLT recipients. CONCLUSION: DLTs have excellent post-surgical outcomes. DLT should be strongly considered and adopted by transplant programs worldwide to circumvent organ shortage.


Subject(s)
End Stage Liver Disease , Liver Transplantation , Maple Syrup Urine Disease , Propionic Acidemia , Humans , Child , Liver Transplantation/methods , Maple Syrup Urine Disease/surgery , Retrospective Studies , Living Donors , End Stage Liver Disease/surgery
7.
Genet Med ; 24(8): 1781-1788, 2022 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35503103

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This paper aims to report collective information on safety and efficacy of empagliflozin drug repurposing in individuals with glycogen storage disease type Ib (GSD Ib). METHODS: This is an international retrospective questionnaire study on the safety and efficacy of empagliflozin use for management of neutropenia/neutrophil dysfunction in patients with GSD Ib, conducted among the respective health care providers from 24 countries across the globe. RESULTS: Clinical data from 112 individuals with GSD Ib were evaluated, representing a total of 94 treatment years. The median age at start of empagliflozin treatment was 10.5 years (range = 0-38 years). Empagliflozin showed positive effects on all neutrophil dysfunction-related symptoms, including oral and urogenital mucosal lesions, recurrent infections, skin abscesses, inflammatory bowel disease, and anemia. Before initiating empagliflozin, most patients with GSD Ib were on G-CSF (94/112; 84%). At the time of the survey, 49 of 89 (55%) patients previously treated with G-CSF had completely stopped G-CSF, and another 15 (17%) were able to reduce the dose. The most common adverse event during empagliflozin treatment was hypoglycemia, occurring in 18% of individuals. CONCLUSION: Empagliflozin has a favorable effect on neutropenia/neutrophil dysfunction-related symptoms and safety profile in individuals with GSD Ib.


Subject(s)
Glycogen Storage Disease Type I , Neutropenia , Adolescent , Adult , Benzhydryl Compounds , Child , Child, Preschool , Glucosides , Glycogen Storage Disease Type I/drug therapy , Glycogen Storage Disease Type I/pathology , Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor/therapeutic use , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Neutropenia/drug therapy , Retrospective Studies , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young Adult
8.
Am J Med Genet A ; 188(8): 2485-2490, 2022 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35567578

ABSTRACT

Alazami syndrome (AS) is an autosomal recessive condition characterized by the cardinal features of severe growth restriction, moderate to severe intellectual disability, and distinctive facial features. Biallelic pathogenic variants of the LARP7, encoding a chaperone of 7SK noncoding RNA, is implicated in this disease. There are <35 reported cases in the literature. All reported cases share the same three cardinal features of the syndrome. Herein, we report on 12 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of AS from eight unrelated families. The cohort shares the same key feature of the syndrome. Moreover, we report additional phenotypic features, including genito-renal anomalies, ophthalmological abnormalities, and congenital heart disease. Whole-exome sequencing was used in all reported cases, implicating a clinical under-recognition of the syndrome. This report further expands the clinical and molecular characteristics of Alazami syndrome.


Subject(s)
Dwarfism , Intellectual Disability , Microcephaly , Dwarfism/genetics , Humans , Intellectual Disability/diagnosis , Intellectual Disability/genetics , Intellectual Disability/pathology , Microcephaly/genetics , Mutation , Phenotype , RNA, Small Nuclear , Ribonucleoproteins/genetics , Syndrome
9.
Clin Genet ; 99(3): 376-383, 2021 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33191500

ABSTRACT

Failure to thrive (FTT) causes significant morbidity, often without clear etiologies. Six individuals of a large consanguineous family presented in the neonatal period with recurrent vomiting and diarrhea, leading to severe FTT. Standard diagnostic work up did not ascertain an etiology. Autozygosity mapping and whole exome sequencing identified homozygosity for a novel genetic variant of the long chain fatty acyl-CoA synthetase 5 (ACSL5) shared among the affected individuals (NM_203379.1:c.1358C>A:p.(Thr453Lys)). Autosomal recessive genotype-phenotype segregation was confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Functional in vitro analysis of the ACSL5 variant by immunofluorescence, western blotting and enzyme assay suggested that Thr453Lys is a loss-of-function mutation without any remaining activity. ACSL5 belongs to an essential enzyme family required for lipid metabolism and is known to contribute the major activity in the mouse intestine. Based on the function of ACSL5 in intestinal long chain fatty acid metabolism and the gastroenterological symptoms, affected individuals were treated with total parenteral nutrition or medium-chain triglyceride-based formula restricted in long-chain triglycerides. The patients responded well and follow up suggests that treatment is only required during early life.


Subject(s)
Coenzyme A Ligases/genetics , Failure to Thrive/genetics , Infant, Newborn, Diseases/genetics , Lipid Metabolism , Animals , COS Cells , Chlorocebus aethiops , Coenzyme A Ligases/metabolism , Failure to Thrive/metabolism , Female , Genetic Association Studies , Genetic Variation , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Infant, Newborn, Diseases/metabolism , Male , Mutation
10.
Brain ; 142(3): 542-559, 2019 03 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30668673

ABSTRACT

Biallelic pathogenic variants in PLPBP (formerly called PROSC) have recently been shown to cause a novel form of vitamin B6-dependent epilepsy, the pathophysiological basis of which is poorly understood. When left untreated, the disease can progress to status epilepticus and death in infancy. Here we present 12 previously undescribed patients and six novel pathogenic variants in PLPBP. Suspected clinical diagnoses prior to identification of PLPBP variants included mitochondrial encephalopathy (two patients), folinic acid-responsive epilepsy (one patient) and a movement disorder compatible with AADC deficiency (one patient). The encoded protein, PLPHP is believed to be crucial for B6 homeostasis. We modelled the pathogenicity of the variants and developed a clinical severity scoring system. The most severe phenotypes were associated with variants leading to loss of function of PLPBP or significantly affecting protein stability/PLP-binding. To explore the pathophysiology of this disease further, we developed the first zebrafish model of PLPHP deficiency using CRISPR/Cas9. Our model recapitulates the disease, with plpbp-/- larvae showing behavioural, biochemical, and electrophysiological signs of seizure activity by 10 days post-fertilization and early death by 16 days post-fertilization. Treatment with pyridoxine significantly improved the epileptic phenotype and extended lifespan in plpbp-/- animals. Larvae had disruptions in amino acid metabolism as well as GABA and catecholamine biosynthesis, indicating impairment of PLP-dependent enzymatic activities. Using mass spectrometry, we observed significant B6 vitamer level changes in plpbp-/- zebrafish, patient fibroblasts and PLPHP-deficient HEK293 cells. Additional studies in human cells and yeast provide the first empirical evidence that PLPHP is localized in mitochondria and may play a role in mitochondrial metabolism. These models provide new insights into disease mechanisms and can serve as a platform for drug discovery.


Subject(s)
Epilepsy/etiology , Proteins/genetics , Proteins/metabolism , Animals , Disease Models, Animal , Epilepsy/physiopathology , Female , HEK293 Cells , Humans , Male , Phenotype , Pyridoxal Phosphate/therapeutic use , Pyridoxine/deficiency , Vitamin B 6/metabolism , Vitamin B 6 Deficiency/genetics , Vitamin B 6 Deficiency/metabolism , Zebrafish
11.
Am J Med Genet A ; 179(7): 1235-1240, 2019 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31074094

ABSTRACT

Cardiomyopathies are clinically heterogeneous disorders and are the leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Different etiologies have a significant impact on prognosis. Recently, novel biallelic loss-of-function pathogenic variants in alpha-kinase 3 (ALPK3) were implicated in causing early-onset pediatric cardiomyopathy (cardiomyopathy, familial hypertrophic 27; OMIM 618052). To date, eight patients, all presented during early childhood, were reported with biallelic ALPK3 pathogenic variants. We describe the molecular and clinical phenotype characterization of familial cardiomyopathy on one family with six affected individuals. We identified homozygosity for an ALPK3 deleterious sequence variant (NM_020778.4:c.639G>A:p.Trp213*) in all the affected individuals. They presented with either dilated cardiomyopathy that progressed to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) or HCM with left ventricular noncompaction. The age of presentation in our cohort extends between infancy to the fourth decade. The phenotypic severity decreases with the progression of age.


Subject(s)
Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/genetics , Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic/genetics , Muscle Proteins/genetics , Mutation , Phenotype , Protein Kinases/genetics , Adult , Age of Onset , Base Sequence , Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/diagnosis , Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/enzymology , Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/physiopathology , Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic/diagnosis , Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic/enzymology , Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic/physiopathology , Child , Child, Preschool , Consanguinity , Female , Gene Expression , Homozygote , Humans , Infant , Male , Muscle Proteins/metabolism , Pedigree , Protein Kinases/metabolism , Exome Sequencing
12.
Clin Genet ; 94(6): 495-501, 2018 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30125339

ABSTRACT

Recently, with the advancement in next generation sequencing (NGS) along with the improvement of bioinformatics tools, whole exome sequencing (WES) has become the most efficient diagnostic test for patients with intellectual disability (ID). This study aims to estimate the yield of a reanalysis of ID negative exome cases after data reannotation. Total of 50 data files of exome sequencing, representing 50 samples were collected. The inclusion criteria include ID phenotype, and previous analysis indicated a negative result (no abnormality detected). These files were pre-processed and reannotated using ANNOVAR tool. Prioritized variants in the 50 cases studied were classified into three groups, (1) disease-causative variants (2) possible disease-causing variants and (3) variants in novel genes. Reanalysis resulted in the identification of pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in six cases (12%). Thirteen cases (26%) were classified as having possible disease-causing variants. Candidate genes requiring future functional studies were detected in seven cases (14%). Improvement in bioinformatics tools, update in the genetic databases and literature, and patients' clinical phenotype update were the main reasons for identification of these variants in this study.


Subject(s)
Exome Sequencing , Exome , Genome-Wide Association Study , Intellectual Disability/diagnosis , Intellectual Disability/genetics , Alleles , Amino Acid Substitution , Child , Child, Preschool , Consanguinity , Female , Genome-Wide Association Study/methods , Genotype , Humans , Infant , Male , Mutation , Pedigree , Phenotype
13.
J Perinat Med ; 46(9): 968-974, 2018 Nov 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28822227

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of non-immune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) among all pregnancies referred for prenatal care at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) during the study period and to evaluate the underlying etiologies of NIH. STUDY DESIGN: All pregnancies referred to SQUH between February 2014 and December 2015 were identified, and all pregnancies meeting the diagnosis of NIHF were included in this study. All cases of NIHF referred to our center during this period underwent standard systematic diagnostic work-up that included biochemical and molecular studies in addition to the standard investigations for hydrops fetalis. Clinical characteristics and results of the diagnostic work-up were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 3234 pregnancies were referred for prenatal care at SQUH during the study period, and 12 pregnancies were affected by NIHF. An underlying diagnosis was established in nine cases, and the majority of cases (7/9) were caused by inborn errors of metabolism (IEM). These included a novel homozygous variant in the AARS2 gene (5/7) and two cases of galactosialidosis (2/7). CONCLUSION: IEM was a major cause of NIHF in this cohort. The AARS2 variant accounts for a significant number of cases with NIHF in this cohort of Omani patients.


Subject(s)
Aspartate-tRNA Ligase/genetics , Hydrops Fetalis , Lysosomal Storage Diseases , Metabolism, Inborn Errors , Adult , Female , Homozygote , Humans , Hydrops Fetalis/diagnosis , Hydrops Fetalis/epidemiology , Hydrops Fetalis/etiology , Hydrops Fetalis/genetics , Lysosomal Storage Diseases/complications , Lysosomal Storage Diseases/diagnosis , Lysosomal Storage Diseases/epidemiology , Metabolism, Inborn Errors/complications , Metabolism, Inborn Errors/diagnosis , Metabolism, Inborn Errors/epidemiology , Oman/epidemiology , Pregnancy , Prenatal Diagnosis/methods , Prenatal Diagnosis/statistics & numerical data , Retrospective Studies , Risk Assessment
14.
Brain ; 139(Pt 3): 765-81, 2016 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26917586

ABSTRACT

Vici syndrome is a progressive neurodevelopmental multisystem disorder due to recessive mutations in the key autophagy gene EPG5. We report genetic, clinical, neuroradiological, and neuropathological features of 50 children from 30 families, as well as the neuronal phenotype of EPG5 knock-down in Drosophila melanogaster. We identified 39 different EPG5 mutations, most of them truncating and predicted to result in reduced EPG5 protein. Most mutations were private, but three recurrent mutations (p.Met2242Cysfs*5, p.Arg417*, and p.Gln336Arg) indicated possible founder effects. Presentation was mainly neonatal, with marked hypotonia and feeding difficulties. In addition to the five principal features (callosal agenesis, cataracts, hypopigmentation, cardiomyopathy, and immune dysfunction), we identified three equally consistent features (profound developmental delay, progressive microcephaly, and failure to thrive). The manifestation of all eight of these features has a specificity of 97%, and a sensitivity of 89% for the presence of an EPG5 mutation and will allow informed decisions about genetic testing. Clinical progression was relentless and many children died in infancy. Survival analysis demonstrated a median survival time of 24 months (95% confidence interval 0-49 months), with only a 10th of patients surviving to 5 years of age. Survival outcomes were significantly better in patients with compound heterozygous mutations (P = 0.046), as well as in patients with the recurrent p.Gln336Arg mutation. Acquired microcephaly and regression of skills in long-term survivors suggests a neurodegenerative component superimposed on the principal neurodevelopmental defect. Two-thirds of patients had a severe seizure disorder, placing EPG5 within the rapidly expanding group of genes associated with early-onset epileptic encephalopathies. Consistent neuroradiological features comprised structural abnormalities, in particular callosal agenesis and pontine hypoplasia, delayed myelination and, less frequently, thalamic signal intensity changes evolving over time. Typical muscle biopsy features included fibre size variability, central/internal nuclei, abnormal glycogen storage, presence of autophagic vacuoles and secondary mitochondrial abnormalities. Nerve biopsy performed in one case revealed subtotal absence of myelinated axons. Post-mortem examinations in three patients confirmed neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative features and multisystem involvement. Finally, downregulation of epg5 (CG14299) in Drosophila resulted in autophagic abnormalities and progressive neurodegeneration. We conclude that EPG5-related Vici syndrome defines a novel group of neurodevelopmental disorders that should be considered in patients with suggestive features in whom mitochondrial, glycogen, or lysosomal storage disorders have been excluded. Neurological progression over time indicates an intriguing link between neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration, also supported by neurodegenerative features in epg5-deficient Drosophila, and recent implication of other autophagy regulators in late-onset neurodegenerative disease.


Subject(s)
Agenesis of Corpus Callosum/diagnosis , Agenesis of Corpus Callosum/genetics , Autophagy/genetics , Cataract/diagnosis , Cataract/genetics , Neurodevelopmental Disorders/diagnosis , Neurodevelopmental Disorders/genetics , Proteins/genetics , Agenesis of Corpus Callosum/complications , Animals , Autophagy-Related Proteins , Cataract/complications , Child, Preschool , Cross-Sectional Studies , Drosophila melanogaster , Female , Hippocampus/pathology , Humans , Lysosomal Membrane Proteins , Male , Mutation/genetics , Neurodevelopmental Disorders/complications , Retrospective Studies , Vesicular Transport Proteins
15.
Metab Brain Dis ; 32(4): 1119-1121, 2017 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28386663

ABSTRACT

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is the most common inborn error of amino acid metabolism. Phenylalanine hydroxylase is the underlying deficient enzyme. If left untreated, growth failure, microcephaly, global developmental delay, seizures and severe intellectual impairment would characterize the clinical picture of PKU. On the other side of protein homeostasis lies nephrotic syndrome. It is a well-known quantitative defect due to significant proteinuria. Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a special congenital variant affecting children and adults. Hereby, we describe a three- year old male child who presented with generalized edema and global developmental delay. Investigations revealed PKU along with FSGS. We assume that congenital nephrosis ameliorated the picture of PKU, and had a salutary effect on the growth and development. Such coexistence between PKU and FSGS hasn't been described before.


Subject(s)
Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental/complications , Phenylketonurias/complications , Proteinuria/complications , Child, Preschool , Humans , Male
17.
Hum Hered ; 77(1-4): 183-8, 2014.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25060282

ABSTRACT

The Sultanate of Oman, like many other Arab countries, has relatively high rates of consanguinity. Reports suggest that the incidence of inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) is also high in Oman. This retrospective cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate the number of patients with IEM being followed at the only two tertiary centers in Oman treating such patients, and to calculate the consanguinity rates among these families. The electronic medical records of all patients were reviewed for demographic and clinical characteristics. A total of 285 patients with IEM were being followed at the 2 centers involved; 162 (56.8%) were male and 123 (43.2%) were female. The history of consanguinity was documented or available for 241 patients: 229 patients (95%) were born to consanguineous parents related as second cousins or closer. First-cousin marriages were reported in 191 families (79.3%), while 31 patients (12.9%) were born to second cousins. The parents of 5 patients (2%) were related as double first cousins, and 2 patients (1%) were born to first cousins once removed. The average coefficient of inbreeding (F) in our study was 0.081. Seventeen patients (6%) had associated comorbid conditions other than IEM. Our study highlights the clinical burden of IEM in Oman and emphasizes the high consanguinity rates among the parents of affected patients.


Subject(s)
Consanguinity , Marriage/statistics & numerical data , Metabolism, Inborn Errors/epidemiology , Metabolism, Inborn Errors/genetics , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Genetics, Population , Humans , Male , Oman/epidemiology , Retrospective Studies
18.
J Inherit Metab Dis ; 37(2): 207-13, 2014 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23296367

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Plasma/serum and dried blood spot (DBS) acylcarnitine profiles (ACPs) are key to the diagnosis of mitochondrial fatty acid ß-oxidation disorders (FAODs). Despite their significant clinical applications, limited published data exists to compare their sensitivities and specificities. We retrospectively evaluated these two methods in adult patients with a history of rhabdomyolysis; investigated for an underlying FAOD. METHODS: A retrospective study was completed for adult patients (investigated between 2003 and 2011) meeting the inclusion criteria of a history of recurrent rhabdomyolysis or one episode of rhabdomyolysis with a history of exercise intolerance. All subjects underwent investigations for an underlying FAOD including DBS and serum ACP analysis concurrently collected during a symptom-free period, and skin biopsy for cultured fibroblast fatty acid oxidation studies or enzyme activity measurement, as indicated, with or without molecular confirmation. Their medical records were reviewed, and the performance of the two methods were compared. RESULTS: Seven out of 31 subjects (22.6 %) were diagnosed with an underlying FAOD. Long chain acylcarnitines were more markedly elevated in serum samples from confirmed CPTII cases (n = 4) as compared to matched DBS profiles. The sensitivity and specificity of DBS ACP was 71.4 % (95 % CI, 0.30-0.95) and 100 % (95 % CI, 0.79-1.00), respectively, compared to a sensitivity of 100 % (95 % CI, 0.56-1.00) and a specificity of 94.7 % (95 % CI, 0.72-1.00) for serum ACP. CONCLUSION: FAODs appear to be a common cause of recurrent rhabdomyolysis or rhabdomyolysis with a history of exercise induced myalgia. At least historically, FAODs maybe underdiagnosed in adults with rhabdomyolysis. This study suggests that serum ACP might be more sensitive than DBS ACP for detection of an underlying FAOD in adults with rhabdomyolysis while asymptomatic.


Subject(s)
Carnitine/analogs & derivatives , Fatty Acids/metabolism , Lipid Metabolism, Inborn Errors/blood , Mitochondrial Diseases/blood , Rhabdomyolysis/blood , Adolescent , Adult , Biopsy/methods , Carnitine/blood , Carnitine O-Palmitoyltransferase/metabolism , Dried Blood Spot Testing/methods , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Mitochondrial Diseases/metabolism , Oxidation-Reduction , Retrospective Studies , Young Adult
19.
Curr Opin Ophthalmol ; 24(5): 379-88, 2013 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23872816

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to provide an update on ocular manifestations of mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS), to highlight diagnostic pitfalls in the evaluation of affected patients, and to briefly review etiopathogenesis, systemic manifestations, and therapeutic interventions in MPS. RECENT FINDINGS: Advances in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and enzyme replacement therapy for MPS have led to decreased morbidity and increased life-span of patients. Besides other causes, visual impairment because of corneal opacification, retinal degeneration, and optic atrophy remains a common cause of disability in MPS. The application of a standard ophthalmic evaluation protocol may serve as an important diagnostic and disease monitoring tool in patients. SUMMARY: Diagnostic delays are not uncommon in patients with MPS. Given the early ocular involvement in MPS, ophthalmologists play a crucial role in early detection and follow-up of patients with MPS. Ophthalmic evaluation can be impeded by corneal opacification and patient cooperation. Altered corneal biomechanics confound intraocular pressure measurements. Recently developed therapies have made early detection increasingly important. Accurate diagnosis of specific MPS subtypes is of paramount importance for initiating appropriate therapy. Combined with advances in supportive care of ocular and systemic manifestations, the prognosis for patients with MPS has vastly improved.


Subject(s)
Eye Diseases/diagnosis , Mucopolysaccharidoses/diagnosis , Early Diagnosis , Enzyme Replacement Therapy , Eye Diseases/therapy , Humans , Mucopolysaccharidoses/therapy , Stem Cell Transplantation
20.
J Neuromuscul Dis ; 10(2): 293-299, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36641683

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Muscular A-type lamin-interacting protein (MLIP) has a regulatory role in myoblast differentiation and organization of myonuclear positioning in skeletal muscle. It is ubiquitously expressed but abundantly in cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscles. Recently, two studies confirmed the causation of biallelic pathogenic variants in the MLIP gene of a novel myopathy phenotype. OBJECTIVE: Description of the phenotypic spectrum and features of MLIP-related myopathy. METHODS: report a patient with biallelic variants in MLIP gene with the clinical features, and histomorphological findings of MLIP-related myopathy and provide a literature review of the previously reported 12 patients. RESULTS: MLIP-related myopathy is characterized by episodes of rhabdomyolysis, myalgia triggered by mild to moderate exercise, mild muscle weakness, and sometimes cardiac involvement characterized by cardiomyopathy and cardiac rhythm abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: This report reviews and extends the clinical features of a novel myopathy caused by biallelic pathogenic variants in the MLIP gene.


Subject(s)
Muscular Diseases , Humans , Lamins , Muscular Diseases/genetics , Myalgia , Muscle, Skeletal/pathology , Muscle Proteins
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