CAMTA1-related disorder: Phenotypic and molecular characterization of 26 new individuals and literature review.

Calmodulin-binding transcriptional activator 1 (CAMTA1) is highly expressed in the brain and plays a role in cell cycle regulation, cell differentiation, regulation of long-term memory, and initial development, maturation, and survival of cerebellar neurons. The existence of human neurological phenotypes, including cerebellar dysfunction with variable cognitive and behavioral abnormalities (CECBA), associated with CAMTA1 variants, has further supported its role in brain functions. In this study, we phenotypically and molecularly characterize the largest cohort of individuals (n = 26) with 23 novel CAMTA1 variants (frameshift-7, nonsense-6, splicing-1, initiation codon-1, missense-5, and intragenic deletions-3) and compare the findings with all previously reported cases (total = 53). We show that the most notable phenotypic findings are developmental delay/intellectual disability, unsteady or uncoordinated gait, hypotonia, behavioral problems, and eye abnormalities. In addition, there is a high incidence of dysarthria, dysgraphia, microcephaly, gastrointestinal abnormalities, sleep difficulties, and nonspecific brain MRI findings; a few of which have been under-reported. More than one third of the variants in this cohort were inherited from an asymptomatic or mildly affected parent suggesting reduced penetrance and variable expressivity. Our cohort provides a comprehensive characterization of the spectrum of phenotypes and genotypes among individuals with CECBA and the large data will facilitate counseling and formulating management plans and surveillance recommendations for these individuals.

Further characterization of Borjeson-Forssman-Lehmann syndrome in females due to de novo variants in PHF6.

While inherited hemizygous variants in PHF6 cause X-linked recessive Borjeson-Forssman-Lehmann syndrome (BFLS) in males, de novo heterozygous variants in females are associated with an overlapping but distinct phenotype, including moderate to severe intellectual disability, characteristic facial dysmorphism, dental, finger and toe anomalies, and linear skin pigmentation. By personal communication with colleagues, we assembled 11 additional females with BFLS due to variants in PHF6. We confirm the distinct phenotype to include variable intellectual disability, recognizable facial dysmorphism and other anomalies. We observed skewed X-inactivation in blood and streaky skin pigmentation compatible with functional mosaicism. Variants occurred de novo in 10 individuals, of whom one was only mildly affected and transmitted it to her more severely affected daughter. The mutational spectrum comprises a two-exon deletion, five truncating, one splice-site and three missense variants, the latter all located in the PHD2 domain and predicted to severely destabilize the domain structure. This observation supports the hypothesis of more severe variants in females contributing to gender-specific phenotypes in addition to or in combination with effects of X-inactivation and functional mosaicism. Therefore, our findings further delineate the clinical and mutational spectrum of female BFLS and provide further insights into possible genotype-phenotype correlations between females and males.

GPRIN3 Controls Neuronal Excitability, Morphology, and Striatal-Dependent Behaviors in the Indirect Pathway of the Striatum.

The regulation of the striatum by the GPCR signaling through neuromodulators is essential for its physiology and physiopathology, so it is necessary to know all the compounds of these pathways. In this study, we identified a new important partner of the dopaminergic pathway: GPRIN3 (a member of the GPRIN family). GPRIN3 is highly expressed in the striatum but with undefined function. Cell sorting of medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in indirect MSNs and direct MSNs indicated the presence of the GPRIN3 gene in both populations with a preferential expression in indirect MSNs. This led us to generate GPRIN3 KO mice by CRISPR/Cas9 and test male animals to access possible alterations in morphological, electrophysiological, and behavioral parameters following its absence. 3D reconstruction analysis of MSNs revealed increased neuronal arborization in GPRIN3 KO and modified passive and active electrophysiological properties. These cellular alterations were coupled with increased motivation and cocaine-induced hyperlocomotion. Additionally, using a specific indirect MSN knockdown, we showed a preferential role for GPRIN3 in indirect MSNs related to the D2R signaling. Together, these results show that GPRIN3 is a mediator of D2R function in the striatum playing a major role in striatal physiology.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The striatum is the main input of the basal ganglia processing information from different brain regions through the combined actions of direct pathway neurons and indirect pathway neurons. Both neuronal populations are defined by the expression of dopamine D1R or D2R GPCRs, respectively. How these neurons signal to the respective G-protein is still debatable. Here we identified GPRIN3 as a putative selective controller of D2R function in the striatum playing a critical role in striatal-associated behaviors and cellular functions. This study represents the identification of a new target to tackle striatal dysfunction associated with the D2R, such as schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, and drug addiction.

ASC1 complex related conditions: Two novel paediatric patients with TRIP4 pathogenic variants and review of literature.

Pathogenic variants in the genes encoding for the ASC1 complex were recently reported in patients with congenital fractures, joint contractures, neonatal hypotonia and respiratory distress. Here we report two male children with biallelic TRIP4 pathogenic loss of function variants. The first child presented with foetal bradykinesia, neonatal respiratory distress, central and peripheral hypotonia, constipation, hyperlaxity, left uretero-hydronephrosis and post-obstructive kidney dysplasia. The second had severe central and peripheral neonatal hypotonia, feeding difficulties, kyphosis, developmental delay and hyperlaxity. Detailed review of all reported cases with ASCC1 (12 patients) and TRIP4 (18 patients) variants highlights striking genotype-phenotype correlations. This is the fourth report of patients with TRIP4 variants and the first description of post-obstructive kidney dysplasia in this condition.

Case Report: Inactivating PTH/PTHrP Signaling Disorder Type 1 Presenting With PTH Resistance.

PTH resistance is characterized by elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia and it is classically associated with GNAS locus genetic or epigenetic defects. Inactivating PTH/PTHrP signaling disorders (iPPSD) define overlapping phenotypes based on their molecular etiology. iPPSD1 is associated with PTH1R variants and variable phenotypes including ossification anomalies and primary failure of tooth eruption but no endocrine disorder. Here we report on a 10-month-old child born from consanguineous parents, who presented with mild neurodevelopmental delay, seizures, enlarged fontanelles, round face, and bilateral clinodactyly. Hand x-rays showed diffuse delayed bone age, osteopenia, short metacarpal bones and cone-shaped distal phalanges. A diagnosis of PTH resistance was made on the basis of severe hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, elevated PTH and normal vitamin D levels on blood sample. The patient was treated with calcium carbonate and alfacalcidol leading to rapid bio-clinical improvement. Follow-up revealed multiple agenesis of primary teeth and delayed teeth eruption, as well as Arnold-Chiari type 1 malformation requiring a ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. GNAS gene analysis showed no pathogenic variation, but a likely pathogenic homozygous substitution c.723C>G p.(Asp241Glu) in PTH1R gene was found by trio-based whole exome sequencing. We studied the deleterious impact of the variant on the protein conformation with bioinformatics tools. In conclusion, our study reports for the first time PTH resistance in a child with a biallelic PTH1R mutation, extending thereby the clinical spectrum of iPPSD1 phenotypes.

Case report: Thirty-year progression of an EMPF1 encephalopathy due to defective mitochondrial and peroxisomal fission caused by a novel de novo heterozygous DNM1L variant.

Mutations in DNM1L (DRP1), which encode a key player of mitochondrial and peroxisomal fission, have been reported in patients with the variable phenotypic spectrum, ranging from non-syndromic optic atrophy to lethal infantile encephalopathy. Here, we report a case of an adult female patient presenting with a complex neurological phenotype that associates axonal sensory neuropathy, spasticity, optic atrophy, dysarthria, dysphasia, dystonia, and ataxia, worsening with aging. Whole-exome sequencing revealed a heterozygous de novo variant in the GTPase domain of DNM1L [NM_001278464.1: c.176C>A p.(Thr59Asn)] making her the oldest patient suffering from encephalopathy due to defective mitochondrial and peroxisomal fission-1. In silico analysis suggested a protein destabilization effect of the variant Thr59Asn. Unexpectedly, Western blotting disclosed profound decrease of DNM1L expression, probably related to the degradation of DNM1L complexes. A detailed description of mitochondrial and peroxisomal anomalies in transmission electron and 3D fluorescence microscopy studies confirmed the exceptional phenotype of this patient.

Tonically Active α2 Subunit-Containing Glycine Receptors Regulate the Excitability of Striatal Medium Spiny Neurons.

Medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of the dorsal striatum represent the first relay of cortico-striato-thalamic loop, responsible for the initiation of voluntary movements and motor learning. GABAergic transmission exerts the main inhibitory control of MSNs. However, MSNs also express chloride-permeable glycine receptors (GlyRs) although their subunit composition and functional significance in the striatum is unknown. Here, we studied the function of GlyRs in MSNs of young adult mice. We show that MSNs express functional GlyRs, with α2 being the main agonist binding subunit. These receptors are extrasynaptic and depolarizing at resting state. The pharmacological inhibition of GlyRs, as well as inactivation of the GlyR α2 subunit gene hyperpolarize the membrane potential of MSNs and increase their action potential firing offset. Mice lacking GlyR α2 showed impaired motor memory consolidation without any changes in the initial motor performance. Taken together, these results demonstrate that tonically active GlyRs regulate the firing properties of MSNs and may thus affect the function of basal ganglia.