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1.
Cancers (Basel) ; 16(13)2024 Jun 28.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39001451

RESUMEN

Kirsten Rat Sarcoma Viral Oncogene Homolog (KRAS) gene variations are linked to the development of numerous cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), colorectal cancer (CRC), and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The lack of typical drug-binding sites has long hampered the discovery of therapeutic drugs targeting KRAS. Since "CodeBreaK 100" demonstrated Sotorasib's early safety and efficacy and led to its approval, especially in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the subsequent identification of specific inhibitors for the p.G12C mutation has offered hope. However, the CodeBreaK 200 study found no significant difference in overall survival (OS) between patients treated with Docetaxel and Sotorasib (AMG 510), adding another degree of complexity to this ongoing challenge. The current study compares the three-dimensional structures of the two major KRAS isoforms, KRAS4A and KRAS4B. It also investigates the probable structural changes caused by the three major mutations (p.G12C, p.G12D, and p.G12V) within Sotorasib's pocket domain. The computational analysis demonstrates that the wild-type and mutant isoforms have distinct aggregation propensities, resulting in the creation of alternate oligomeric configurations. This study highlights the increased complexity of the biological issue of using KRAS as a therapeutic target. The present study stresses the need for a better understanding of the structural dynamics of KRAS and its mutations to design more effective therapeutic approaches. It also emphasizes the potential of computational approaches to shed light on the complicated molecular pathways that drive KRAS-mediated oncogenesis. This study adds to the ongoing efforts to address the therapeutic hurdles presented by KRAS in cancer treatment.

2.
Genes (Basel) ; 15(7)2024 Jun 22.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39062605

RESUMEN

FBRSL1, together with FBRS and AUTS2 (Activator of Transcription and Developmental Regulator; OMIM 607270), constitutes a tripartite AUTS2 gene family. AUTS2 and FBRSL1 are evolutionarily more closely related to each other than to FBRS (Fibrosin 1; OMIM 608601). Despite its paralogous relation to AUTS2, FBRSL1's precise role remains unclear, though it likely shares functions in neurogenesis and transcriptional regulation. Herein, we report the clinical presentation with therapeutic approaches and the molecular etiology of a patient harboring a de novo truncating variant (c.371dupC) in FBRSL1, leading to a premature stop codon (p.Cys125Leufs*7). Our study extends previous knowledge by highlighting potential interactions and implications of this variant, alongside maternal and paternal duplications, for the patient's phenotype. Using sequence conservation data and in silico analysis of the truncated protein, we generated a predicted domain structure. Furthermore, our in silico analysis was extended by taking into account SNP array results. The extension of in silico analysis was performed due to the possibility that the coexistence of FBRSL1 truncating variant contemporary with maternal and paternal duplication could be a modifier of proband's phenotype and/or influence the novel syndrome clinical characteristics. FBRSL1 protein may be involved in neurodevelopment due to its homology with AUTS2, together with distinctive neuronal expression profiles, and thus should be considered as a potential modulation of clinical characteristics in a novel syndrome. Finally, considering that FBRSL1 is apparently involved in neurogenesis and in transcriptional regulatory networks that orchestrate gene expression, together with the observation that different genetic syndromes are associated with distinct genomic DNA methylation patterns, the specific episignature has been explored.


Asunto(s)
Proteínas del Citoesqueleto , Discapacidad Intelectual , Factores de Transcripción , Humanos , Discapacidad Intelectual/genética , Discapacidad Intelectual/patología , Factores de Transcripción/genética , Proteínas del Citoesqueleto/genética , Masculino , Femenino , Síndrome , Fenotipo , Codón sin Sentido/genética
3.
J Cyst Fibros ; 2024 Feb 05.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38320874

RESUMEN

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common severe autosomal recessive genetic disorder among Caucasians. The improvement of genetic techniques has allowed the identification of an increasing number of genetic variants, including large rearrangements such as duplications. We report the first case of a whole CFTR gene duplication in a healthy newborn, who had normal sweat test, also carrying R74W and V855I variants on the same allele. Familial segregation analysis and the observed frequencies of all the CFTR gene variants, revealed that R74W and V855I were probably both present in a cis arrangement on the allele also containing the duplication (i.e., in a double complex allele). Since R74W is a "variant of varying clinical consequence" its arrangement in trans with one pathogenic variant may not be sufficient to cause a classic CF disease phenotype. Moreover, its duplication could even be an advantage that could compensate for the effect of the alteration.

4.
Genes (Basel) ; 14(8)2023 07 26.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37628581

RESUMEN

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. Since the discovery of the highly penetrant susceptibility genes BRCA1 and BRCA2, many other predisposition genes that confer a moderate risk of BC have been identified. Advances in multigene panel testing have allowed the simultaneous sequencing of BRCA1/2 with these genes in a cost-effective way. Germline DNA from 521 cases with BC fulfilling diagnostic criteria for hereditary BC were screened with multigene NGS testing. Pathogenic (PVs) and likely pathogenic (LPVs) variants in moderate penetrance genes were identified in 15 out of 521 patients (2.9%), including 2 missense, 7 non-sense, 1 indel, and 3 splice variants, as well as two different exon deletions, as follows: ATM (n = 4), CHEK2 (n = 5), PALB2 (n = 2), RAD51C (n = 1), and RAD51D (n = 3). Moreover, the segregation analysis of PVs and LPVs into first-degree relatives allowed the detection of CHEK2 variant carriers diagnosed with in situ melanoma and clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), respectively. Extended testing beyond BRCA1/2 identified PVs and LPVs in a further 2.9% of BC patients. In conclusion, panel testing yields more accurate genetic information for appropriate counselling, risk management, and preventive options than assessing BRCA1/2 alone.


Asunto(s)
Neoplasias de la Mama , Neoplasias Renales , Humanos , Femenino , Neoplasias de la Mama/diagnóstico , Neoplasias de la Mama/genética , Proteína BRCA1/genética , Penetrancia , Proteína BRCA2/genética
5.
Int J Mol Sci ; 24(13)2023 Jul 04.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37446229

RESUMEN

Climate change and globalization have raised the risk of vector-borne disease (VBD) introduction and spread in various European nations in recent years. In Italy, viruses carried by tropical vectors have been shown to cause viral encephalitis, one of the symptoms of arboviruses, a spectrum of viral disorders spread by arthropods such as mosquitoes and ticks. Arboviruses are currently causing alarm and attention, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has released recommendations to adopt essential measures, particularly during the hot season, to restrict the spreading of the infectious agents among breeding stocks. In this scenario, rapid analysis systems are required, because they can quickly provide information on potential virus-host interactions, the evolution of the infection, and the onset of disabling clinical symptoms, or serious illnesses. Such systems include bioinformatics approaches integrated with molecular evaluation. Viruses have co-evolved different strategies to transcribe their own genetic material, by changing the host's transcriptional machinery, even in short periods of time. The introduction of genetic alterations, particularly in RNA viruses, results in a continuous adaptive fight against the host's immune system. We propose an in silico pipeline method for performing a comprehensive motif analysis (including motif discovery) on entire genome sequences to uncover viral sequences that may interact with host RNA binding proteins (RBPs) by interrogating the database of known RNA binding proteins, which play important roles in RNA metabolism and biological processes. Indeed, viral RNA sequences, able to bind host RBPs, may compete with cellular RNAs, altering important metabolic processes. Our findings suggest that the proposed in silico approach could be a useful and promising tool to investigate the complex and multiform clinical manifestations of viral encephalitis, and possibly identify altered metabolic pathways as targets of pharmacological treatments and innovative therapeutic protocols.


Asunto(s)
Arbovirus , Encefalitis Viral , Animales , Humanos , Arbovirus/genética , Secuencia de Bases , Mosquitos Vectores , ARN Viral/genética , Encefalitis Viral/genética , Proteínas de Unión al ARN/genética
6.
Genes (Basel) ; 14(1)2023 01 07.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36672906

RESUMEN

Pathogenic variants in genes are involved in histone acetylation and deacetylation resulting in congenital anomalies, with most patients displaying a neurodevelopmental disorder and dysmorphism. Arboleda-Tham syndrome caused by pathogenic variants in KAT6A (Lysine Acetyltransferase 6A; OMIM 601408) has been recently described as a new neurodevelopmental disorder. Herein, we describe a patient characterized by complex phenotype subsequently diagnosed using the clinical exome sequencing (CES) with Arboleda-Tham syndrome (ARTHS; OMIM 616268). The analysis revealed the presence of de novo pathogenic variant in KAT6A gene, a nucleotide c.3385C>T substitution that introduces a premature termination codon (p.Arg1129*). The need for straight multidisciplinary collaboration and accurate clinical description findings (bowel obstruction/megacolon/intestinal malrotation) was emphasized, together with the utility of CES in establishing an etiological basis in clinical and genetical heterogeneous conditions. Therefore, considering the phenotypic characteristics, the condition's rarity and the reviewed literature, we propose additional diagnostic criteria that could help in the development of future clinical diagnostic guidelines. This was possible thanks to objective examinations performed during the long follow-up period, which permitted scrupulous registration of phenotypic changes over time to further assess this rare disorder. Finally, given that different genetic syndromes are associated with distinct genomic DNA methylation patterns used for diagnostic testing and/or as biomarker of disease, a specific episignature for ARTHS has been identified.


Asunto(s)
Histona Acetiltransferasas , Trastornos del Neurodesarrollo , Humanos , Codón sin Sentido , Pruebas Genéticas , Histona Acetiltransferasas/genética , Trastornos del Neurodesarrollo/genética , Fenotipo
7.
J Med Genet ; 60(2): 163-173, 2023 02.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35256403

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Postzygotic activating PIK3CA variants cause several phenotypes within the PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum (PROS). Variant strength, mosaicism level, specific tissue involvement and overlapping disorders are responsible for disease heterogeneity. We explored these factors in 150 novel patients and in an expanded cohort of 1007 PIK3CA-mutated patients, analysing our new data with previous literature to give a comprehensive picture. METHODS: We performed ultradeep targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) on DNA from skin biopsy, buccal swab or blood using a panel including phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway genes and GNAQ, GNA11, RASA1 and TEK. Additionally, 914 patients previously reported were systematically reviewed. RESULTS: 93 of our 150 patients had PIK3CA pathogenetic variants. The merged PROS cohort showed that PIK3CA variants span thorough all gene domains, some were exclusively associated with specific PROS phenotypes: weakly activating variants were associated with central nervous system (CNS) involvement, and strongly activating variants with extra-CNS phenotypes. Among the 57 with a wild-type PIK3CA allele, 11 patients with overgrowth and vascular malformations overlapping PROS had variants in GNAQ, GNA11, RASA1 or TEK. CONCLUSION: We confirm that (1) molecular diagnostic yield increases when multiple tissues are tested and by enriching NGS panels with genes of overlapping 'vascular' phenotypes; (2) strongly activating PIK3CA variants are found in affected tissue, rarely in blood: conversely, weakly activating mutations more common in blood; (3) weakly activating variants correlate with CNS involvement, strong variants are more common in cases without; (4) patients with vascular malformations overlapping those of PROS can harbour variants in genes other than PIK3CA.


Asunto(s)
Malformaciones Vasculares , Humanos , Mutación/genética , Fenotipo , Genotipo , Fosfatidilinositol 3-Quinasa Clase I/genética , Malformaciones Vasculares/diagnóstico , Malformaciones Vasculares/genética , Proteína Activadora de GTPasa p120/genética
8.
J Genet Eng Biotechnol ; 20(1): 129, 2022 Sep 06.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36066672

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: In the last 2 years, we have been fighting against SARS-CoV-2 viral infection, which continues to claim victims all over the world. The entire scientific community has been mobilized in an attempt to stop and eradicate the infection. A well-known feature of RNA viruses is their high mutational rate, particularly in specific gene regions. The SARS-CoV-2 S protein is also affected by these changes, allowing viruses to adapt and spread more easily. The vaccines developed using mRNA coding protein S undoubtedly contributed to the "fight" against the COVID-19 pandemic even though the presence of new variants in the spike protein could result in protein conformational changes, which could affect vaccine immunogenicity and thus vaccine effectiveness. RESULTS: The study presents the findings of an in silico analysis using various bioinformatics tools finding conserved sequences inside SARS-CoV-2 S protein (encoding mRNA) same as in the vaccine RNA sequences that could be targeted by specific host RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). According to the results an interesting scenario emerges involving host RBPs competition and subtraction. The presence of viral RNA in cytoplasm could be a new tool in the virus's armory, allowing it to improve its chances of survival by altering cell gene expression and thus interfering with host cell processes. In silico analysis was used also to evaluate the presence of similar human miRNA sequences within RBPs motifs that can modulate human RNA expression. Increased cytoplasmic availability of exogenous RNA fragments derived from RNA physiological degradation could potentially mimic the effect of host human miRNAs within the cell, causing modulation of the host cell network. CONCLUSIONS: Our in silico analysis could aid in shedding light on the potential effects of exogenous RNA (i.e. viruses and vaccines), thereby improving our understanding of the cellular interactions between virus and host biomolecules. Finally, using the computational approach, it is possible to obtain a safety assessment of RNA-based vaccines as well as indications for use in specific clinical conditions.

9.
Genes (Basel) ; 12(9)2021 08 24.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34573276

RESUMEN

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles undergoing continuous fusion and fission with Drp1, encoded by the DNM1L gene, required for mitochondrial fragmentation. DNM1L dominant pathogenic variants lead to progressive neurological disorders with early exitus. Herein we report on the case of a boy affected by epileptic encephalopathy carrying two heterozygous variants (in cis) of the DNM1L gene: a pathogenic variant (PV) c.1085G>A (p.Gly362Asp) accompanied with a variant of unknown significance (VUS) c.1535T>C (p.Ile512Thr). Amplicon sequencing of the mother's DNA revealed the presence of the PV and VUS in 5% of cells, with the remaining cells presenting only VUS. Functional investigations performed on the patient and his mother's cells unveiled altered mitochondrial respiratory chain activities, network architecture and Ca2+ homeostasis as compared with healthy unrelated subjects' samples. Modelling Drp1 harbouring the two variants, separately or in combination, resulted in structural changes as compared with Wt protein. Considering the clinical history of the mother, PV transmission by a maternal germline mosaicism mechanism is proposed. Altered Drp1 function leads to changes in the mitochondrial structure and bioenergetics as well as in Ca2+ homeostasis. The novel VUS might be a modifier that synergistically worsens the phenotype when associated with the PV.


Asunto(s)
Dinaminas/genética , Mutación de Línea Germinal , Herencia Materna , Enfermedades Mitocondriales/genética , Mosaicismo , Espasmos Infantiles/genética , Adulto , Alelos , Calcio/metabolismo , Células Cultivadas , Niño , Dinaminas/química , Dinaminas/metabolismo , Femenino , Heterocigoto , Humanos , Lactante , Masculino , Enfermedades Mitocondriales/metabolismo , Enfermedades Mitocondriales/patología , Dinámicas Mitocondriales , Mutación Missense , Conformación Proteica , Espasmos Infantiles/metabolismo , Espasmos Infantiles/patología
10.
Pathogens ; 10(1)2021 Jan 14.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33466592

RESUMEN

In silico analysis is a promising approach for understanding biological events in complex diseases. Herein we report on the innovative computational workflow allowed to highlight new direct interactions between human transcription factors (TFs) and an entire genome of virus ZikaSPH2015 strain in order to identify the occurrence of specific motifs on a genomic Zika Virus sequence that is able to bind and, therefore, sequester host's TFs. The analysis pipeline was performed using different bioinformatics tools available online (free of charge). According to obtained results of this in silico analysis, it is possible to hypothesize that these TFs binding motifs might be able to explain the complex and heterogeneous phenotype presentation in Zika-virus-affected fetuses/newborns, as well as the less severe condition in adults. Moreover, the proposed in silico protocol identified thirty-three different TFs identical to the distribution of TFBSs (Transcription Factor Binding Sites) on ZikaSPH2015 strain, potentially able to influence genes and pathways with biological functions confirming that this approach could find potential answers on disease pathogenesis.

11.
Genes (Basel) ; 11(12)2020 12 18.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33353066

RESUMEN

Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMSs) are caused by mutations in genes that encode proteins involved in the organization, maintenance, function, or modification of the neuromuscular junction. Among these, the collagenic tail of endplate acetylcholinesterase protein (COLQ; MIM 603033) has a crucial role in anchoring the enzyme into the synaptic basal lamina. Here, we report on the first case of a patient with a homozygous deletion affecting the last exons of the COLQ gene in a CMS patient born to consanguineous parents of Pakistani origin. Electromyography (EMG), electroencephalography (EEG), clinical exome sequencing (CES), and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array analyses were performed. The subject was born at term after an uneventful pregnancy and developed significant hypotonia and dystonia, clinical pseudoseizures, and recurring respiratory insufficiency with a need for mechanical ventilation. CES analysis of the patient revealed a homozygous deletion of the COLQ gene located on the 3p25.1 chromosome region. The SNP-array confirmed the presence of deletion that extended from exon 11 to the last exon 17 with a size of 19.5 Kb. Our results add new insights about the underlying pathogenetic mechanisms expanding the spectrum of causative COLQ mutations. It is relevant, considering the therapeutic implications, to apply suitable molecular approaches so that no type of mutation is missed: "each lost mutation means a baby treated improperly".


Asunto(s)
Acetilcolinesterasa/genética , Colágeno/genética , Proteínas Musculares/genética , Síndromes Miasténicos Congénitos/genética , Consanguinidad , Variaciones en el Número de Copia de ADN , Electroencefalografía , Electromiografía , Exones/genética , Femenino , Estudios de Asociación Genética , Homocigoto , Humanos , Lactante , Masculino , Hipotonía Muscular/genética , Síndromes Miasténicos Congénitos/diagnóstico , Linaje , Polimorfismo de Nucleótido Simple , Eliminación de Secuencia , Espasmos Infantiles/genética
12.
Heliyon ; 6(10): e05010, 2020 Oct.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32984567

RESUMEN

In December 2019 a new beta-coronavirus was isolated and characterized by sequencing samples from pneumonia patients in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Coronaviruses are positive-sense RNA viruses widely distributed among different animal species and humans in which they cause respiratory, enteric, liver and neurological symptomatology. Six species of coronavirus have been described (HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-NL63 and HCoV-HKU1) that cause cold-like symptoms in immunocompetent or immunocompromised subjects and two strains of sometimes fatal zoonotic origin that cause severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV). The SARS-CoV-2 strain is the emerging seventh member of the coronavirus family, which is actually determining a global emergency. In silico analysis is a promising approach for understanding biological events in complex diseases and due to serious worldwide emergency and serious threat to global health, it is extremely important to use bioinformatics methods able to study an emerging pathogen like SARS-CoV-2. Herein, we report on in silico comparative analysis between complete genome of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, HCoV-OC43 and SARS-CoV-2 strains, to identify the occurrence of specific conserved motifs on viral genomic sequences which should be able to bind and therefore induce a subtraction of host's Transcription Factors (TFs) which lead to a depletion, an effect comparable to haploinsufficiency (a genetic dominant condition in which a single copy of wild-type allele at a locus, in heterozygous combination with a variant allele, is insufficient to produce the correct quantity of transcript and, therefore, of protein, for a correct standard phenotypic expression). In this competitive scenario, virus versus host, the proposed in silico protocol identified the TFs same as the distribution of TFBSs (Transcription Factor Binding Sites) on analyzed viral strains, potentially able to influence genes and pathways with biological functions confirming that this approach could brings useful insights regarding SARS-CoV-2. According to our results obtained by this in silico approach it is possible to hypothesize that TF-binding motifs could be of help in the explanation of the complex and heterogeneous clinical presentation in SARS-CoV-2 and subsequently predict possible interactions regarding metabolic pathways, and drug or target relationships.

13.
Genes (Basel) ; 11(5)2020 04 29.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32365489

RESUMEN

Gene expression regulation is achieved through an intricate network of molecular interactions, in which trans-acting transcription factors (TFs) and small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs) and PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), play a key role. Recent observations allowed postulating an interplay between TFs and sncRNAs, in that they may possibly share DNA-binding sites. The aim of this study was to analyze the complete subset of miRNA and piRNA sequences stored in the main databases in order to identify the occurrence of conserved motifs and subsequently predict a possible innovative interplay with TFs at a transcriptional level. To this aim, we adopted an original in silico workflow to search motifs and predict interactions within genome-scale regulatory networks. Our results allowed categorizing miRNA and piRNA motifs, with corresponding TFs sharing complementary DNA-binding motifs. The biological interpretation of the gene ontologies of the TFs permitted observing a selective enrichment in developmental pathways, allowing the distribution of miRNA motifs along a topological and chronological frame. In addition, piRNA motifs were categorized for the first time and revealed specific functional implications in somatic tissues. These data might pose experimental hypotheses to be tested in biological models, towards clarifying novel in gene regulatory routes.


Asunto(s)
MicroARNs/genética , ARN Interferente Pequeño/genética , ARN Pequeño no Traducido/genética , Transcripción Genética , Biología Computacional , Simulación por Computador , Bases de Datos Genéticas , Regulación de la Expresión Génica/genética , Redes Reguladoras de Genes/genética , Humanos , Factores de Transcripción/genética
14.
Ital J Pediatr ; 46(1): 74, 2020 May 27.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32460883

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Schinzel-Giedion syndrome (SGS) is a multiple malformation syndrome mainly characterized by severe intellectual disability, distinctive facial features, and multiple congenital anomalies, including skeletal abnormalities, genitourinary and renal malformations, cardiac defects, as well as an increased pediatric cancer risk. Recently, SGS has been associated with de novo heterozygous deleterious variants in the SETBP1 gene; to date, nine different variants, clustering in exon 4 of SETBP1, have been identified in 25 patients. CASE PRESENTATION: In this study, by using Whole Exome Sequencing (WES), we identified a patient with a recurrent missense mutation in SETBP1, the c.2608G > A, p.(Gly870Ser) variant, previously reported as likely pathogenic. This finding allowed us to confirm the suspected clinical diagnosis of SGS. Clinical features of patients carrying the same variant, including our patient, were evaluated by a review of medical records. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms SGS as a severe disorder potentially presenting at birth as a critically ill neonate and demonstrates the causal role of the c.2608G > A, p.(Gly870Ser) variant in the etiology of the syndrome. Moreover, although the cohort of SETBP1-patients reported in the literature is still small, our study reports for the first time the prevalence of the variant (about 27%, 7/26). Finally, given the heterogeneity of clinical presentations of affected patients hospitalized in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) and/or Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICU), in agreement with emerging data from the literature, we suggest that WES should be used in the diagnosis of unexplained syndromic conditions, and even as part of a standard first-line diagnostic approach, as it would allow a better diagnosis, counseling and management of affected patients and their families.


Asunto(s)
Anomalías Múltiples/diagnóstico , Anomalías Múltiples/genética , Proteínas Portadoras/genética , Anomalías Craneofaciales/diagnóstico , Anomalías Craneofaciales/genética , Deformidades Congénitas de la Mano/diagnóstico , Deformidades Congénitas de la Mano/genética , Discapacidad Intelectual/diagnóstico , Discapacidad Intelectual/genética , Mutación Missense/genética , Uñas Malformadas/diagnóstico , Uñas Malformadas/genética , Proteínas Nucleares/genética , Humanos , Recién Nacido , Masculino , Secuenciación del Exoma
16.
Genes (Basel) ; 9(4)2018 Apr 17.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29673180

RESUMEN

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is one of the most common autosomal dominant genetic diseases. It is caused by mutations in the NF1 gene encoding for the large protein, neurofibromin. Genetic testing of NF1 is cumbersome because 50% of cases are sporadic, and there are no mutation hot spots. In addition, the most recognizable NF1 clinical features—café-au-lait (CALs) spots and axillary and/or inguinal freckling—appear early in childhood but are rather non-specific. Thus, the identification of causative variants is extremely important for early diagnosis, especially in paediatric patients. Here, we aimed to identify the underlying genetic defects in 72 index patients referred to our centre for NF1. Causative mutations were identified in 58 subjects, with 29 being novel changes. We evaluated missense and non-canonical splicing mutations with both protein and splicing prediction algorithms. The ratio of splicing mutations detected was higher than that reported in recent patients’ series and in the Human Gene Mutation Database (HGMD). After applying in silico predictive tools to 41 previously reported missense variants, we demonstrated that 46.3% of these putatively missense mutations were forecasted to alter splicing instead. Our data suggest that mutations affecting splicing can be frequently underscored if not analysed in depth. We confirm that hamartomas can be useful for diagnosing NF1 in children. Lisch nodules and cutaneous neurofibromas were more frequent in patients with frameshifting mutations. In conclusion, we demonstrated that comprehensive in silico analysis can be a highly specific method for predicting the nature of NF1 mutations and may help in assuring proper patient care.

17.
Gene ; 555(1): 14-22, 2015 Jan 15.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25089030

RESUMEN

"Healing is best accomplished when art and science are conjoined, when body and spirit are probed together", says Bernard Lown, in his book "The Lost Art of Healing". Art has long been a witness to disease either through diseases which affected artists or diseases afflicting objects of their art. In particular, artists have often portrayed genetic disorders and malformations in their work. Sometimes genetic disorders have mystical significance; other times simply have intrinsic interest. Recognizing genetic disorders is also an art form. From the very beginning of my work as a Medical Geneticist I have composed personal "algorithms" to piece together evidence of genetics syndromes and diseases from the observable signs and symptoms. In this paper we apply some 'gestalt' Genetic Syndrome Diagnostic algorithms to virtual patients found in some art masterpieces. In some the diagnosis is clear and in others the artists' depiction only supports a speculative differential diagnosis.


Asunto(s)
Anomalías Congénitas/historia , Enanismo/historia , Medicina en las Artes , Anomalías Congénitas/diagnóstico , Anomalías Congénitas/genética , Enanismo/diagnóstico , Enanismo/genética , Historia del Siglo XVI , Historia del Siglo XX , Historia Medieval , Humanos
18.
Gene ; 513(1): 111-7, 2013 Jan 15.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23124038

RESUMEN

Herein, we describe a case of an infertile man detected in postnatal diagnosis with FISH characterization and array-CGH used for genome-wide screening which allowed the identification of a complex rearrangement involving sex chromosomes, apparently without severe phenotypic consequences. The deletion detected in our patient has been compared with previously reported cases leading us to propose a hypothetical diagnostic algorithm that would be useful in similar clinical situations, with imperative multi disciplinary approach integrated with genetic counseling. Our patient, uniquely of reproductive age, is one of six reported cases of duplication of Xp22.3 (~8.4Mb) segment and contemporary deletion of Yq (~42.9Mb) with final karyotype as follows: 46,X,der(Y),t(X;Y)(Ypter→Yq11.221::Xp22.33→Xpter).ish der(Y) (Yptel+,Ycen+,RP11-529I21+,RP11-506M9-Yqtel−,Xptel+). arrXp22.33p22.31(702­8,395,963, 8,408,289x1), Yq11.221q12 (14,569,317x1, 14,587,321­57,440,839x0).


Asunto(s)
Duplicación Cromosómica , Cromosomas Humanos X/genética , Cromosomas Humanos Y/genética , Infertilidad Masculina/genética , Eliminación de Secuencia , Aberraciones Cromosómicas Sexuales , Adulto , Secuencia de Bases , Humanos , Hibridación Fluorescente in Situ , Cariotipificación , Masculino , Translocación Genética/genética
19.
Childs Nerv Syst ; 28(9): 1301-10, 2012 Sep.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22872241

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Non syndromic craniosynostoses are the most frequent craniofacial malformations worldwide. They represent a wide and heterogeneous group of entities, in which the dysmorphism may occur in a single (simple forms) or in multiple sutures (complex forms). Simple forms present a higher birth prevalence and are classified according to the involved suture and to the corresponding abnormal cranial shape: scaphocephaly (SC; sagittal suture), trigonocephaly (TC; metopic suture), anterior plagiocephaly (unilateral coronal suture), posterior plagiocephaly (unilateral lambdoid suture). They occur commonly as sporadic forms, although a familiar recurrence is sometimes observed, suggesting a mendelian inheritance. The genetic causes of simple craniosynostosis are still largely unknown, as mutations in common craniosynostosis-associated genes and structural chromosomal aberrations have been rarely found in these cases. AIMS: This review is intended to dissect comprehensively the state-of-the art on the genetic etiology of single suture craniosynostoses, in the attempt to categorize all known disease-associated genes and chromosomal aberrations. Possible genotype/phenotype correlations are discussed as useful clues towards the definition of optimized clinical management flowcharts.


Asunto(s)
Aberraciones Cromosómicas , Trastornos de los Cromosomas/genética , Suturas Craneales/patología , Craneosinostosis/genética , Subunidad alfa 1 del Factor de Unión al Sitio Principal/genética , Craneosinostosis/complicaciones , Craneosinostosis/cirugía , Citogenética , Humanos , Modelos Genéticos , Mutación/genética , Proteínas Nucleares/genética , Receptores de Factores de Crecimiento de Fibroblastos/genética , Proteína 1 Relacionada con Twist/genética
20.
J Environ Public Health ; 2012: 473427, 2012.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22496704

RESUMEN

Herein, we proposed planning of wide transdisciplinary actions, which bring a solution for economic activity such as transportation, strongly related to pollution output with possible repercussions on climate change and public health. To solve logistics problem by introduction of common intermodal policy, and creation of more friendly transport solution, it is possible to obtain sustainable development, climate change prevention, government policy, and regulation which are all related to human health and creation of health-supportive environment. This approach permits environmental and biological monitoring same as economic results measurement by key performance indicators. This approach implementing emerging scientific knowledge in environmental health science such as genetic epidemiology aimed at understanding how genomic variation impacts phenotypic expression and how genes interact with the environment at the population level with subsequent translation into practical information for clinicians as well as for public health policy creation.


Asunto(s)
Contaminación del Aire/prevención & control , Cambio Climático , Exposición a Riesgos Ambientales , Contaminación Ambiental/prevención & control , Política Pública , Transportes , Peninsula Balcánica , Biomarcadores , Conservación de los Recursos Naturales , Salud Ambiental , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Unión Europea , Humanos , Región Mediterránea , Salud Pública
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