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1.
Am J Hum Genet ; 109(2): 361-372, 2022 02 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35051358

ABSTRACT

Nuclear deubiquitinase BAP1 (BRCA1-associated protein 1) is a core component of multiprotein complexes that promote transcription by reversing the ubiquitination of histone 2A (H2A). BAP1 is a tumor suppressor whose germline loss-of-function variants predispose to cancer. To our knowledge, there are very rare examples of different germline variants in the same gene causing either a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) or a tumor predisposition syndrome. Here, we report a series of 11 de novo germline heterozygous missense BAP1 variants associated with a rare syndromic NDD. Functional analysis showed that most of the variants cannot rescue the consequences of BAP1 inactivation, suggesting a loss-of-function mechanism. In T cells isolated from two affected children, H2A deubiquitination was impaired. In matching peripheral blood mononuclear cells, histone H3 K27 acetylation ChIP-seq indicated that these BAP1 variants induced genome-wide chromatin state alterations, with enrichment for regulatory regions surrounding genes of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). Altogether, these results define a clinical syndrome caused by rare germline missense BAP1 variants that alter chromatin remodeling through abnormal histone ubiquitination and lead to transcriptional dysregulation of developmental genes.


Subject(s)
BRCA1 Protein/genetics , Germ-Line Mutation , Loss of Function Mutation , Mutation, Missense , Neurodevelopmental Disorders/genetics , Tumor Suppressor Proteins/genetics , Ubiquitin Thiolesterase/genetics , Adolescent , BRCA1 Protein/immunology , Child , Child, Preschool , Chromatin/chemistry , Chromatin/immunology , Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly/genetics , Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly/immunology , Family , Female , Gene Expression Regulation , Heterozygote , Histones/genetics , Histones/immunology , Host Cell Factor C1/genetics , Host Cell Factor C1/immunology , Humans , Infant , Male , Neurodevelopmental Disorders/immunology , Neurodevelopmental Disorders/pathology , Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex/genetics , Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex/immunology , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , T-Lymphocytes/pathology , Tumor Suppressor Proteins/deficiency , Tumor Suppressor Proteins/immunology , Ubiquitin/genetics , Ubiquitin/immunology , Ubiquitin Thiolesterase/deficiency , Ubiquitin Thiolesterase/immunology , Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/genetics , Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/immunology , Ubiquitination
2.
Am J Hum Genet ; 107(3): 564-574, 2020 09 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32822602

ABSTRACT

KAT5 encodes an essential lysine acetyltransferase, previously called TIP60, which is involved in regulating gene expression, DNA repair, chromatin remodeling, apoptosis, and cell proliferation; but it remains unclear whether variants in this gene cause a genetic disease. Here, we study three individuals with heterozygous de novo missense variants in KAT5 that affect normally invariant residues, with one at the chromodomain (p.Arg53His) and two at or near the acetyl-CoA binding site (p.Cys369Ser and p.Ser413Ala). All three individuals have cerebral malformations, seizures, global developmental delay or intellectual disability, and severe sleep disturbance. Progressive cerebellar atrophy was also noted. Histone acetylation assays with purified variant KAT5 demonstrated that the variants decrease or abolish the ability of the resulting NuA4/TIP60 multi-subunit complexes to acetylate the histone H4 tail in chromatin. Transcriptomic analysis in affected individual fibroblasts showed deregulation of multiple genes that control development. Moreover, there was also upregulated expression of PER1 (a key gene involved in circadian control) in agreement with sleep anomalies in all of the individuals. In conclusion, dominant missense KAT5 variants cause histone acetylation deficiency with transcriptional dysregulation of multiples genes, thereby leading to a neurodevelopmental syndrome with sleep disturbance, cerebellar atrophy, and facial dysmorphisms, and suggesting a recognizable syndrome.


Subject(s)
Atrophy/genetics , Cerebellar Diseases/genetics , Intellectual Disability/genetics , Lysine Acetyltransferase 5/genetics , Abnormalities, Multiple/diagnostic imaging , Abnormalities, Multiple/genetics , Abnormalities, Multiple/physiopathology , Adolescent , Adult , Atrophy/diagnostic imaging , Atrophy/physiopathology , Cerebellar Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Cerebellar Diseases/physiopathology , Child, Preschool , Chromatin/genetics , Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly/genetics , DNA Repair/genetics , Epilepsy/diagnostic imaging , Epilepsy/genetics , Epilepsy/physiopathology , Female , Heterozygote , Histones/genetics , Humans , Intellectual Disability/diagnostic imaging , Intellectual Disability/physiopathology , Male , Mutation, Missense/genetics , Protein Processing, Post-Translational/genetics
3.
Am J Med Genet A ; 191(2): 490-497, 2023 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36513625

ABSTRACT

We report a series of four unrelated adults with Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS) and concomitant features of Birt-Hogg-Dubé (BHD) syndrome based upon haploinsufficiency for FLCN and characteristic renal cell carcinomas and/or evidence of cutaneous fibrofolliculomas. Three of the cases constitute the first known association of histopathologically verified characteristic BHD-associated renal tumors in adults with SMS; the fourth was identified to have histologically confirmed skin fibrofolliculomas. Molecular analysis documented second-hit FLCN mutations in two of the three cases with confirmed BHD renal pathology. These cases suggest the need to expand management recommendations for SMS to include kidney cancer surveillance starting at 20 years of age, as per the screening recommendations for BHD syndrome.


Subject(s)
Birt-Hogg-Dube Syndrome , Carcinoma, Renal Cell , Kidney Neoplasms , Skin Neoplasms , Smith-Magenis Syndrome , Adult , Humans , Birt-Hogg-Dube Syndrome/complications , Birt-Hogg-Dube Syndrome/diagnosis , Birt-Hogg-Dube Syndrome/genetics , Smith-Magenis Syndrome/complications , Early Detection of Cancer , Proto-Oncogene Proteins/genetics , Tumor Suppressor Proteins/genetics , Kidney Neoplasms/genetics , Carcinoma, Renal Cell/genetics , Skin Neoplasms/genetics
4.
Am J Med Genet A ; 179(2): 224-236, 2019 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30690916

ABSTRACT

Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS) is a contiguous gene syndrome linked to interstitial microdeletion, or mutation of RAI1, within chromosome 17p11.2. Key behavioral features of SMS include intellectual disability, sleep-disturbances, maladaptive, aggressive and self-injurious behaviors, hyperactivity, and sudden changes in mood. A distinguishing feature of this syndrome is an inverted pattern of melatonin characterized by elevated daytime and low nighttime melatonin levels. As the central circadian clock controls the 24-hr rhythm of melatonin, we hypothesized that the clock itself may contribute to the disrupted pattern of melatonin and sleep. In this report, 24-hr patterns of body temperature, a surrogate marker of clock-timing, and continuous wrist activity were collected to examine the links between body temperature, sleep behavior, and the circadian clock. In addition, age-dependent changes in sleep behavior were explored. Actigraphy-estimated sleep time for SMS was 1 hr less than expected across all ages studied. The timing of the 24-hr body temperature (Tb-24) rhythm was phase advanced, but not inverted. Compared to sibling (SIB) controls, the SMS group had less total night sleep, lower sleep efficiency, earlier sleep onset, earlier final awake times, increased waking after sleep onset (WASO), and increased daytime nap duration. The timing of wake onset varied with age, providing evidence of ongoing developmental sleep changes from childhood through adolescence. Clarification of the circadian and developmental factors that contribute to the disrupted and variable sleep patterns in this syndrome will be helpful in identifying more effective individualized treatments.


Subject(s)
Melatonin/genetics , Neurodevelopmental Disorders/genetics , Smith-Magenis Syndrome/genetics , Trans-Activators/genetics , Adolescent , Adult , Body Temperature/genetics , Child , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17/genetics , Circadian Clocks/genetics , Circadian Rhythm/genetics , Female , Humans , Male , Motor Activity/genetics , Motor Activity/physiology , Neurodevelopmental Disorders/physiopathology , Sleep/genetics , Sleep/physiology , Smith-Magenis Syndrome/physiopathology , Young Adult
5.
Hum Mutat ; 38(12): 1774-1785, 2017 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28940898

ABSTRACT

Deformed epidermal autoregulatory factor-1 (DEAF1), a transcription factor essential for central nervous system and early embryonic development, has recently been implicated in a series of intellectual disability-related neurodevelopmental anomalies termed, in this study, as DEAF1-associated neurodevelopmental disorder (DAND). We identified six potentially deleterious DEAF1 variants in a cohort of individuals with DAND via clinical exome sequencing (CES) and in silico analysis, including two novel de novo variants: missense variant c.634G > A p.Gly212Ser in the SAND domain and deletion variant c.913_915del p.Lys305del in the NLS domain, as well as c.676C > T p.Arg226Trp, c.700T > A p.Trp234Arg, c.737G > C p.Arg246Thr, and c.791A > C p.Gln264Pro. Luciferase reporter, immunofluorescence staining, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that these variants had decreased transcriptional repression activity at the DEAF1 promoter and reduced affinity to consensus DEAF1 DNA binding sequences. In addition, c.913_915del p.K305del localized primarily to the cytoplasm and interacted with wild-type DEAF1. Our results demonstrate that variants located within the SAND or NLS domains significantly reduce DEAF1 transcriptional regulatory activities and are thus, likely to contribute to the underlying clinical concerns in DAND patients. These findings illustrate the importance of experimental characterization of variants with uncertain significance identified by CES to assess their potential clinical significance and possible use in diagnosis.


Subject(s)
Exome/genetics , Intellectual Disability/genetics , Neurodevelopmental Disorders/genetics , Nuclear Proteins/genetics , Amino Acid Sequence , Cohort Studies , DNA-Binding Proteins , Humans , Mutation , Nuclear Proteins/metabolism , Phenotype , Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics , Sequence Alignment , Transcription Factors/genetics , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Whole Genome Sequencing
6.
Hum Genet ; 136(4): 409-420, 2017 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28213671

ABSTRACT

Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS), a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by dysmorphic features, intellectual disability (ID), and sleep disturbances, results from a 17p11.2 microdeletion or a mutation in the RAI1 gene. We performed exome sequencing on 6 patients with SMS-like phenotypes but without chromosomal abnormalities or RAI1 variants. We identified pathogenic de novo variants in two cases, a nonsense variant in IQSEC2 and a missense variant in the SAND domain of DEAF1, and candidate de novo missense variants in an additional two cases. One candidate variant was located in an alpha helix of Necdin (NDN), phased to the paternally inherited allele. NDN is maternally imprinted within the 15q11.2 Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) region. This can help clarify NDN's role in the PWS phenotype. No definitive pathogenic gene variants were detected in the remaining SMS-like cases, but we report our findings for future comparison. This study provides information about the inheritance pattern and recurrence risk for patients with identified variants and demonstrates clinical and genetic overlap of neurodevelopmental disorders. Identification and characterization of ID-related genes that assist in development of common developmental pathways and/or gene-networks, may inform disease mechanism and treatment strategies.


Subject(s)
Exome , Smith-Magenis Syndrome/genetics , Adolescent , Adult , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Child, Preschool , Cohort Studies , DNA-Binding Proteins , Female , Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors/genetics , Humans , Male , Nuclear Proteins/genetics , Sequence Homology, Amino Acid , Trans-Activators , Transcription Factors/genetics , Tumor Suppressor Proteins/genetics
7.
Am J Med Genet A ; 170(9): 2383-8, 2016 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27311559

ABSTRACT

We report a 25-year-old female confirmed to have Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS) due to a de novo RAI1 variant. Her past history is significant for developmental and intellectual delay, early and escalating maladaptive behaviors, and features consistent with significant sleep disturbance, the etiology of which was not confirmed for over two decades. The diagnosis of SMS was initially suspected in 1998 (at age 12 years), but that was 5 years before the initial report of RAI1 variants as causative of the SMS phenotype; cytogenetic fluorescence in situ hybridization studies failed to confirm an interstitial deletion of 17p11.2. Re-evaluation for suspected SMS was pursued with RAI1 sequencing analysis in response to urgent parental concerns of escalating behaviors and aggression with subsequent incarceration of the subject for assault of a health professional. Genetic analysis revealed a de novo RAI1 (NM_030665.3) nonsense variant, c.5536C>T; p.Q1846X. This case illustrates the importance of confirming the SMS diagnosis, which is associated with cognitive and functional impairment, as well as significant psychiatric co-morbidities and behavioral problems. The diagnosis was particularly relevant to the legal discussion and determination of her competence to stand trial. As other similar cases may exist, this report will help to increase awareness of the possibility of a very late diagnosis of SMS, with the need for re-evaluation of individuals suspected to have SMS who were initially evaluated prior to the identification of the RAI1 gene. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


Subject(s)
Codon, Nonsense , Genetic Association Studies , Phenotype , Smith-Magenis Syndrome/diagnosis , Smith-Magenis Syndrome/genetics , Transcription Factors/genetics , Adult , Chromosome Deletion , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17 , DNA Copy Number Variations , DNA Mutational Analysis , Delayed Diagnosis , Facies , Female , Humans , Pedigree , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Trans-Activators
8.
Hum Genet ; 133(9): 1117-25, 2014 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24889830

ABSTRACT

Sequencing technology is increasingly demonstrating the impact of genomic copy number variation (CNV) on phenotypes. Opposing variation in growth, head size, cognition and behaviour is known to result from deletions and reciprocal duplications of some genomic regions. We propose normative inversion of face shape, opposing difference from a matched norm, as a basis for investigating the effects of gene dosage on craniofacial development. We use dense surface modelling techniques to match any face (or part of a face) to a facial norm of unaffected individuals of matched age, sex and ethnicity and then we reverse the individual's face shape differences from the matched norm to produce the normative inversion. We demonstrate for five genomic regions, 4p16.3, 7q11.23, 11p15, 16p13.3 and 17p11.2, that such inversion for individuals with a duplication or (epi)-mutation produces facial forms remarkably similar to those associated with a deletion or opposite (epi-)mutation of the same region, and vice versa. The ability to visualise and quantify face shape effects of gene dosage is of major benefit for determining whether a CNV is the cause of the phenotype of an individual and for predicting reciprocal consequences. It enables face shape to be used as a relatively simple and inexpensive functional analysis of the gene(s) involved.


Subject(s)
Chromosome Disorders/genetics , Face/anatomy & histology , Gene Dosage , Adolescent , Adult , Black People/genetics , Case-Control Studies , Child , Child, Preschool , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11 , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 16 , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17 , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4 , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 7 , DNA Copy Number Variations , Face/abnormalities , Female , Gene Duplication , Humans , Imaging, Three-Dimensional , Male , Phenotype , Sequence Deletion , White People/genetics
9.
Mol Genet Metab ; 113(3): 161-70, 2014 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24863970

ABSTRACT

The National Institutes of Health Undiagnosed Diseases Program evaluates patients for whom no diagnosis has been discovered despite a comprehensive diagnostic workup. Failure to diagnose a condition may arise from the mutation of genes previously unassociated with disease. However, we hypothesized that this could also co-occur with multiple genetic disorders. Demonstrating a complex syndrome caused by multiple disorders, we report two siblings manifesting both similar and disparate signs and symptoms. They shared a history of episodes of hypoglycemia and lactic acidosis, but had differing exam findings and developmental courses. Clinical acumen and exome sequencing combined with biochemical and functional studies identified three genetic conditions. One sibling had Smith-Magenis Syndrome and a nonsense mutation in the RAI1 gene. The second sibling had a de novo mutation in GRIN2B, which resulted in markedly reduced glutamate potency of the encoded receptor. Both siblings had a protein-destabilizing homozygous mutation in PCK1, which encodes the cytosolic isoform of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK-C). In summary, we present the first clinically-characterized mutation of PCK1 and demonstrate that complex medical disorders can represent the co-occurrence of multiple diseases.


Subject(s)
Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/genetics , Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (ATP)/deficiency , Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (GTP)/genetics , Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate/genetics , Smith-Magenis Syndrome/diagnosis , Transcription Factors/genetics , Amino Acid Sequence , Base Sequence , Child , Child, Preschool , DNA Mutational Analysis , Female , Genetic Association Studies , HEK293 Cells , Humans , Molecular Sequence Data , Mutation, Missense , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Smith-Magenis Syndrome/genetics , Trans-Activators
10.
J Clin Rheumatol ; 20(5): 291-3, 2014 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25036569

ABSTRACT

Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS) is a sporadic congenital disorder involving multiple organ systems caused by chromosome 17p11.2 deletions. Smith-Magenis syndrome features craniofacial and skeletal anomalies, cognitive impairment, and neurobehavioral abnormalities. In addition, some SMS patients may exhibit hypogammaglobulinemia. We report the first case of SMS-associated autoimmunity in a woman who presented with adult onset of multiple autoimmune disorders, including systemic lupus erythematosus, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, and autoimmune hepatitis. Molecular analysis using single-nucleotide polymorphism array confirmed a de novo 3.8-Mb deletion (breakpoints, chr17: 16,660,721-20,417,975), resulting in haploinsufficiency for TACI (transmembrane activator and CAML interactor). Our data are consistent with potential loss of function for the BAFF (B cell-activating factor) receptor TACI as a contributing factor to human autoimmune phenomena.


Subject(s)
Antigen-Antibody Complex/immunology , Antiphospholipid Syndrome/immunology , Hepatitis, Autoimmune/immunology , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/immunology , Smith-Magenis Syndrome/immunology , Antiphospholipid Syndrome/diagnosis , Antiphospholipid Syndrome/drug therapy , Autoimmunity , Female , Hepatitis, Autoimmune/diagnosis , Hepatitis, Autoimmune/drug therapy , Humans , Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/diagnosis , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/drug therapy , Prognosis , Risk Assessment , Smith-Magenis Syndrome/diagnosis , Young Adult
11.
Obes Res Clin Pract ; 2024 Jul 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38987029

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Smith Magenis Syndrome (SMS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by RAI1 haploinsufficiency. Obesity in people with SMS is believed partially due to dysfunction of the proximal melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) pathway. We therefore studied effects of treatment with the MC4R agonist setmelanotide on obesity and hunger, as well as metabolic, cardiac and safety, in individuals with SMS. METHODS: People with SMS received once-daily setmelanotide injections, with the dose titrated bi-weekly to a maximum of 3 mg over ∼1 month; and a full-dose treatment duration of 3mo. The primary outcome was percent change in body weight. Secondary outcomes included hunger, waist circumference, body composition, and safety. RESULTS: 12 individuals, ages 11-39 y, enrolled and 10 completed the full-dose treatment phase. Mean percent change in body weight at end-treatment was - 0.28 % [(95 % CI, -2.1 % to 1.5 %; n = 12; P = 0.66]. Participants experienced a significant decrease in total cholesterol associated with a significant decrease in HDL-cholesterol and a trend for lower LDL-cholesterol. Self-reported hunger was reduced at end-treatment (p = 0.011). All participants reported adverse events (AEs), most commonly injection-site reactions and skin hyperpigmentation. No AEs led to withdrawal or death. CONCLUSIONS: In this trial, setmelanotide did not significantly reduce body weight in participants with SMS. Participants reported significant differences in hunger, but such self-reports are difficult to interpret without a placebo-treated group. The changes in lipid profiles require further investigation. Results of this study do not suggest that dysfunction of the proximal MC4R pathway is the main etiology for obesity in people with SMS.

12.
Phys Occup Ther Pediatr ; 32(1): 48-65, 2012 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21599572

ABSTRACT

This study systematically assessed sensory processing in 34 children, aged 3-14 years, with Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS) using the Sensory Profile Caregiver Questionnaire. Scores for the SMS cohort were significantly different from scores of the national sample of children with and without disabilities in all Sensory Profile categories and quadrants (p < .001). No main effects of age or gender were found, but an interaction effect of age by gender was found in Modulation of Sensory Input Affecting Emotional Responses, in which older females presented with the lowest scores. A significant decline over time was found in the Seeking pattern, reflecting increased vulnerability (p < .05). Nonsignificant trends suggest more vulnerabilities for older versus younger children, especially older females. The neurobehavioral phenotype in children with SMS is expanded by this description of sensory processing. How children with SMS experience and respond to everyday sensations informs multidisciplinary team decisions.


Subject(s)
Sensation/physiology , Smith-Magenis Syndrome/physiopathology , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Cognition , Female , Humans , Male , Neuropsychological Tests , Smith-Magenis Syndrome/psychology , Surveys and Questionnaires
13.
Transl Psychiatry ; 12(1): 149, 2022 04 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35393403

ABSTRACT

Gene dosage disorders (GDDs) constitute a major class of genetic risks for psychopathology, but there is considerable debate regarding the extent to which different GDDs induce different psychopathology profiles. The current research speaks to this debate by compiling and analyzing dimensional measures of several autism-related traits (ARTs) across seven diverse GDDs. The sample included 350 individuals with one of 7 GDDs, as well as reference idiopathic autism spectrum disorder (ASD; n = 74) and typically developing control (TD; n = 171) groups. The GDDs were: Down, Williams-Beuren, and Smith-Magenis (DS, WS, SMS) syndromes, and varying sex chromosome aneuploidies ("plusX", "plusXX", "plusY", "plusXY"). The Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS-2) was used to measure ARTs at different levels of granularity-item, subscale, and total. General linear models were used to examine ART profiles in GDDs, and machine learning was used to predict genotype from SRS-2 subscales and items. These analyses were completed with and without covariation for cognitive impairment. Twelve of all possible 21 pairwise GDD group contrasts showed significantly different ART profiles (7/21 when co-varying for IQ, all Bonferroni-corrected). Prominent GDD-ART associations in post hoc analyses included relatively preserved social motivation in WS and relatively low levels of repetitive behaviors in plusX. Machine learning revealed that GDD group could be predicted with plausible accuracy (~60-80%) even after controlling for IQ. GDD effects on ARTs are influenced by GDD subtype and ART dimension. This observation has consequences for mechanistic, clinical, and translational aspects of psychiatric neurogenetics.


Subject(s)
Autism Spectrum Disorder , Autistic Disorder , Autism Spectrum Disorder/genetics , Autism Spectrum Disorder/psychology , Humans
14.
N Engl J Med ; 358(6): 592-604, 2008 Feb 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18256394

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome is a rare, sporadic, autosomal dominant syndrome that involves premature aging, generally leading to death at approximately 13 years of age due to myocardial infarction or stroke. The genetic basis of most cases of this syndrome is a change from glycine GGC to glycine GGT in codon 608 of the lamin A (LMNA) gene, which activates a cryptic splice donor site to produce abnormal lamin A; this disrupts the nuclear membrane and alters transcription. METHODS: We enrolled 15 children between 1 and 17 years of age, representing nearly half of the world's known patients with Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome, in a comprehensive clinical protocol between February 2005 and May 2006. RESULTS: Clinical investigations confirmed sclerotic skin, joint contractures, bone abnormalities, alopecia, and growth impairment in all 15 patients; cardiovascular and central nervous system sequelae were also documented. Previously unrecognized findings included prolonged prothrombin times, elevated platelet counts and serum phosphorus levels, measured reductions in joint range of motion, low-frequency conductive hearing loss, and functional oral deficits. Growth impairment was not related to inadequate nutrition, insulin unresponsiveness, or growth hormone deficiency. Growth hormone treatment in a few patients increased height growth by 10% and weight growth by 50%. Cardiovascular studies revealed diminishing vascular function with age, including elevated blood pressure, reduced vascular compliance, decreased ankle-brachial indexes, and adventitial thickening. CONCLUSIONS: Establishing the detailed phenotype of Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome is important because advances in understanding this syndrome may offer insight into normal aging. Abnormal lamin A (progerin) appears to accumulate with aging in normal cells. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00094393.)


Subject(s)
Phenotype , Progeria/physiopathology , Adolescent , Blood Chemical Analysis , Child , Child, Preschool , Disease Progression , Female , Growth , Humans , Infant , Male , Progeria/blood , Progeria/pathology
15.
Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet ; 154C(4): 456-62, 2010 Nov 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20981775

ABSTRACT

Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS; OMIM 182290) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a well-defined pattern of anomalies. The majority of cases are due to a common deletion in chromosome 17p11.2 that includes the RAI1 gene. In children with SMS, autistic-like behaviors and symptoms start to emerge around 18 months of age. This study included 26 individuals (15 females and 11 males), with a confirmed deletion (del 17p11.2). Parents/caregivers were asked to complete the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) and the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) both current and lifetime versions. The results suggest that 90% of the sample had SRS scores consistent with autism spectrum disorders. Moreover, females showed more impairment in total T-scores (P = 0.02), in the social cognition (P = 0.01) and autistic mannerisms (P = 0.002) subscales. The SCQ scores are consistent to show that a majority of individuals may meet criteria for autism spectrum disorders at some point in their lifetime. These results suggest that SMS needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders but also that therapeutic interventions for autism are likely to benefit individuals with SMS. The mechanisms by which the deletion of RAI1 and contiguous genes cause psychopathology remain unknown but they provide a solid starting point for further studies of gene-brain-behavior interactions in SMS and autism spectrum disorders.


Subject(s)
Child Development Disorders, Pervasive/physiopathology , Chromosome Deletion , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17/genetics , Communication , Smith-Magenis Syndrome/physiopathology , Social Behavior , Transcription Factors/genetics , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Sex Factors , Smith-Magenis Syndrome/genetics , Surveys and Questionnaires , Trans-Activators
16.
Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet ; 154C(4): 463-8, 2010 Nov 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20981776

ABSTRACT

Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS) is a complex genetic syndrome caused by an interstitial deletion of chromosome 17p11.2. Children and adults with SMS appear to have unique neurobehavioral problems that include: sleep disturbance, self-injurious and maladaptive behaviors, stereotypies, and sensory integration disorders. We gathered retrospective psychotropic use information from parents or other caregivers of 62 individuals with SMS who were asked about use of psychotropic medication from a list of commonly used psychiatric medications. For those drugs identified, respondents were asked to rate the experience with the particular medication using a likert-type scale. Drugs were grouped into seven main categories: (1) stimulants; (2) antidepressants; (3) antipsychotics; (4) sleep aides; (5) mood stabilizers; (6) alpha 2 agonists; and (7) benzodiazepines. Relative frequencies, means and standard deviations pertaining to age and medication effect were derived for each medication category. Six of the seven medication categories examined showed no meaningful deviations from the "no change" score. The benzodiazepine group showed a mild detrimental effect. There were no gender differences in efficacy. Use of psychotropic medication started early in life (mean age 5 years), particularly with sleep aides. Although no medication category was identified as efficacious in SMS, all the categories reported herein may be considered as an option for brief symptomatic relief.


Subject(s)
Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders/drug therapy , Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders/physiopathology , Psychotropic Drugs/therapeutic use , Smith-Magenis Syndrome/physiopathology , Adult , Age Factors , Analysis of Variance , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Psychotropic Drugs/classification , Retrospective Studies , Surveys and Questionnaires , Treatment Outcome
17.
Am J Pathol ; 174(2): 534-40, 2009 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19116367

ABSTRACT

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a multisystem disorder characterized by ectopic mineralization of connective tissues with primary manifestations in the skin, eyes, and cardiovascular system. The classic forms of PXE are due to mutations in the ABCC6 gene that encodes the ABCC6 protein, a putative transmembrane transporter expressed primarily in the liver and the kidneys. PXE-like clinical findings have been encountered in association with vitamin K-dependent coagulation factor deficiency, an autosomal recessive disorder that is due to mutations in either the GGCX or VKORC1 genes. In this study, we investigated a family with two siblings with characteristic features of PXE and vitamin K-dependent coagulation factor deficiency. Mutation analysis identified two GGCX mutations in the affected individuals (p. R83W and p.Q374X); however, no mutations in either ABCC6 or VKORC1 could be found. GGCX encodes a gamma-glutamyl carboxylase necessary for activation of both coagulation factors in the liver and matrix gla protein, which, in fully carboxylated form, is able to prevent ectopic mineralization. Analysis of skin by specific antibodies demonstrated that matrix gla protein was found predominantly in undercarboxylated form and was associated with the mineralized areas in the patients' lesional skin. These observations pathomechanistically suggest that, in our patients, reduced carboxylase activity results in a reduction of matrix gla protein carboxylation, thus allowing peripheral mineralization to occur. Our findings also confirm GGCX as the second gene locus causing PXE.


Subject(s)
Coagulation Protein Disorders/complications , Coagulation Protein Disorders/genetics , Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum/complications , Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum/genetics , Vitamin K , Amino Acid Sequence , Base Sequence , Blood Coagulation Factors , Carbon-Carbon Ligases , DNA Mutational Analysis , Female , Heterozygote , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Male , Microscopy, Electron, Transmission , Middle Aged , Mixed Function Oxygenases/genetics , Molecular Sequence Data , Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins/genetics , Pedigree , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum/pathology , Sequence Homology, Amino Acid , Vitamin K Epoxide Reductases
18.
Am J Med Genet A ; 152A(1): 96-101, 2010 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20034098

ABSTRACT

An inverted circadian rhythm of melatonin (MT) likely contributes to the sleep disturbance in patients with Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS). Plasma MT levels have documented this altered rhythm, but daytime levels of salivary MT has not been determined. Daytime measures of salivary MT might have utility in home/outpatient settings for assessing MT levels in undiagnosed patients with clinical features of SMS. The objective of this study was to determine the utility of daytime salivary MT as a diagnostic test in SMS. Thirty individuals with confirmed SMS [28 with del 17p11.2 and 2 with the retinoic acid induced 1 (RAI1) gene mutation] and five controls were studied. Single or serial daytime salivary MT levels were measured. The mean midday salivary MT level was 79.0 pg/ml in SMS patients, compared with 16.3 pg/ml in controls, with nine patients having values similar to controls. The median MT level in SMS patients was 49.0 pg/ml (first and third quartile values = 15.5 and 106.8 pg/ml). Twenty-six (90%) of 29 patients had at least one MT value >15.5 pg/ml, including 70 (78%) of 90 samples from patients with del 17p11.2 and one (20%) of five samples from the two patients with the RAI1 mutation. Neither the pattern of medication use nor age had an effect on daytime salivary MT levels. Although most SMS patients had elevated daytime salivary MT levels, multiple sampling appears necessary to distinguish patients with SMS from other conditions.


Subject(s)
Abnormalities, Multiple/metabolism , Melatonin/metabolism , Saliva/metabolism , Abnormalities, Multiple/drug therapy , Adolescent , Adult , Antipsychotic Agents/therapeutic use , Case-Control Studies , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Syndrome
19.
Am J Med Genet A ; 149A(7): 1382-91, 2009 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19530184

ABSTRACT

Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS) is a disorder characterized by multiple congenital anomalies and behavior problems, including abnormal sleep patterns. It is most commonly due to a 3.5 Mb interstitial deletion of chromosome 17 band p11.2. Secretion of melatonin, a hormone produced by the pineal gland, is the body's signal for nighttime darkness. Published reports of 24-hr melatonin secretion patterns in two independent SMS cohorts (US and France) document an inverted endogenous melatonin pattern in virtually all cases (96%), suggesting that this finding is pathognomic for the syndrome. We report on a woman with SMS due to an atypical large proximal deletion ( approximately 6Mb; cen<->TNFRSFproteinB) of chromosome band (17)(p11.2p11.2) who presents with typical sleep disturbances but a normal pattern of melatonin secretion. We further describe a melatonin light suppression test in this patient. This is the second reported patient with a normal endogenous melatonin rhythm in SMS associated with an atypical large deletion. These two patients are significant because they suggest that the sleep disturbances in SMS cannot be solely attributed to the abnormal diurnal melatonin secretion versus the normal nocturnal pattern.


Subject(s)
Abnormalities, Multiple/genetics , Chromosome Deletion , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17 , Melatonin/metabolism , Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/genetics , Abnormalities, Multiple/metabolism , Female , Humans , Intellectual Disability/complications , Intellectual Disability/genetics , Medical History Taking , Retrospective Studies , Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/complications , Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/diagnosis , Syndrome , Young Adult
20.
Phys Occup Ther Pediatr ; 29(3): 239-57, 2009.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19842854

ABSTRACT

Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS), the result of an interstitial deletion within chromosome 17p11.2, is a disorder that may include minor dysmorphic features, brachydactyly, short stature, hypotonia, speech delays, cognitive deficits, signs of peripheral neuropathy, scoliosis, and neurobehavioral problems including sleep disturbances and maladaptive repetitive and self-injurious behaviors. Physical and occupational therapists provide services for children who have the syndrome, whose genetic disorder is frequently not identified or diagnosed before 1 year of age. A comprehensive physical and occupational therapy evaluation was completed in nonidentical twins with one having SMS, using the Sensory Profile; Brief Assessment of Motor Function (BAMF); Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, Second Edition (PDMS-2); and Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI). This provides a framework for conducting assessments to enhance early detection and interdisciplinary management with this specialized population.


Subject(s)
Abnormalities, Multiple/rehabilitation , Motor Skills Disorders/rehabilitation , Musculoskeletal Manipulations/methods , Occupational Therapy/methods , Twins, Dizygotic , Child, Preschool , Disability Evaluation , Female , Humans , Motor Skills Disorders/classification , Motor Skills Disorders/diagnosis , Motor Skills Disorders/etiology , Syndrome , Treatment Outcome
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