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Resumen Actualmente la secuenciación del exoma completo (WES; Whole-exome sequencing) mediante la técnica NGS (Next-generation sequencing) es uno de los estudios genéticos más solicitados dentro del abordaje de pacientes con Discapacidad Intelectual con o sin otras anomalías. Al igual que con otros proce dimientos y estudios clínicos, es conveniente que los médicos prescriptores tengan una comprensión clara de los alcances y limitaciones del uso de WES, del proceso de análisis de las variantes genéticas identificadas, así como de aspectos a evaluar acerca de la calidad y estructura de los informes de los estudios de NGS, con el objetivo de que puedan interpretar mejor los resultados de un estudio y plantear de la mejor manera la correlación de los mismos con la clínica observada.
Abstract Currently, Whole exome sequencing (WES) using NGS (Next-generation sequencing) technology is one of the most requested genetic studies within the approach of patients with intellectual disability with or without other anomalies. As with other procedures and clinical studies, it is convenient for prescribing physicians to have a clear understanding of the scope and limitations of the use of WES, the analysis process of the genetic variants identified, as well as aspects to be evaluated regarding quality and structure of the reports of the NGS studies, with the aim that they can better interpret the results of a study, evaluate its quality, and propose in the best way the correlation of the same with the observed phenotype.
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INTRODUCTION: Genomic studies have identified numerous genetic variants associated with susceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS); however, each one explains only a small percentage of the risk of developing the disease. These variants are located in genes involved in specific pathways, which supports the hypothesis that the risk of developing MS may be linked to alterations in these pathways, rather than in specific genes. We analyzed the role of the TNFRSF1A gene, which encodes one of the TNF-α receptors involved in a signaling pathway previously linked to autoimmune disease. METHODS: We included 138 individuals from 23 families including at least 2 members with MS, and analyzed the presence of exonic variants of TNFRSF1A through whole-exome sequencing. We also conducted a functional study to analyze the pathogenic mechanism of variant rs4149584 (-g.6442643C > G, NM_001065.4:c.362 G > A, R92Q) by plasmid transfection into human oligodendroglioma (HOG) cells, which behave like oligodendrocyte lineage cells; protein labeling was used to locate the protein within cells. We also analyzed the ability of transfected HOG cells to proliferate and differentiate into oligodendrocytes. RESULTS: Variant rs4149584 was found in 2 patients with MS (3.85%), one patient with another autoimmune disease (7.6%), and in 5 unaffected individuals (7.46%). The 2 patients with MS and variant rs4149584 were homozygous carriers and belonged to the same family, whereas the remaining individuals presented the variant in heterozygosis. The study of HOG cells transfected with the mutation showed that the protein does not reach the cell membrane, but rather accumulates in the cytoplasm, particularly in the endoplasmic reticulum and near the nucleus; this suggests that, in the cells presenting the mutation, TNFRSF1 does not act as a transmembrane protein, which may alter its signaling pathway. The study of cell proliferation and differentiation found that transfected cells continue to be able to differentiate into oligodendrocytes and are probably still capable of producing myelin, although they present a lower rate of proliferation than wild-type cells. CONCLUSIONS: Variant rs4149584 is associated with risk of developing MS. We analyzed its functional role in oligodendrocyte lineage cells and found an association with MS in homozygous carriers. However, the associated molecular alterations do not influence the differentiation into oligodendrocytes; we were therefore unable to confirm whether this variant alone is pathogenic in MS, at least in heterozygosis.
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Introducción: La enfermedad por almacenamiento del glucógeno tipo III (GSDIII, Glycogen storage disease type III) o Enfermedad de Cori Forbes es un trastorno del proceso de glucogenólisis ocasionado por variantes del gen AGL que codifica la enzima desramificante del glucógeno; se encuentra ubicado en el cromosoma 1p21.2 y su alteración genera una degradación incompleta del glucógeno, llevando a una acumulación de dextrina límite en órganos blanco, ocasionando organomegalia y disfunción. Objetivo: Caracterizar molecularmente un paciente lactante mayor con diagnóstico clínico y bioquímico sospechoso de GSDIII. Materiales y Métodos: Paciente lactante mayor masculino con antecedente de displasia broncopulmonar, infección respiratoria aguda, reflujo gastroesofágico, hepatomegalia e intolerancia a la lactosa. Se realizó estudio molecular mediante secuenciación de exoma completo; las variantes reportadas fueron evaluadas por Software de predicción como: Mutation Tas-ter, PROVEAN, UMD-Predictor, POLYPHEN, SIFT, Human Splicing Finder. Finalmente, se realizó una red de interacción génica mediante el programa GeneMania para determinar asociaciones génicas cercanas. Resultados: Se identifi caron 3 variantes heterocigotas ubicadas en el gen AGL: p.Arg910* que ocasiona pérdida del dominio amilo-1,6 glucosidasa y el dominio de unión al glucógeno, y las variantes p.Trp373Cys, p.Asn565Ser que generan cambios missense en la proteína. El análisis de significancia clínica por medio de métodos in-sílico determinó una clasificación patogénica para todas las variantes. La red de interacción permitió observar asociaciones entre el gen AGL y los genes FOXA2, PPP1R3B, NHLRC1 y GCK, que tienen relación con procesos metabólicos. Conclusión: una sospecha clínica inicial, a través de una buena historia clínica y la pertinencia de estudios bioquímicos-metabólicos-genómicos dirigidos, permite brindar un correcto diagnóstico, tratamiento y seguimiento, acercándonos a la medicina de precisión.
Introduction: Glycogen storage disease type III (GSDIII) or Cori Forbes disease is a disorder of the glycogeno-lysis process caused by variants of the AGL gene that encodes the glycogen debranching enzyme; It is located on chromosome 1p21.2 and its alteration generate an incomplete degradation of glycogen, leading to an accumu-lation of borderline dextrin in target organs, causing organomegaly and dysfunction. Objective: To characterize at the molecular level an elderly male lactating patient from southwestern Colombia with a clinical, biochemical diagnosis suspected of GSDIII. Materials and methods: An elderly male infant with a history of bronchopul-monary dysplasia, acute respiratory infection, gastroesophageal refl ux, hepatomegaly, and lactose intolerance. A molecular study was performed by whole exome sequencing; the reported variants were evaluated by prediction software such as Mutation Taster, PROVEAN, UMD-Predictor, POLYPHEN, SIFT, Human Splicing Finder. Fi-nally, a gene interaction network was performed using the GeneMania program to determine close gene associa-tions. Results: 3 heterozygous variants located in the AGL gene were identifi ed: p.Arg910 * that causes loss of the amyl-1,6 glucosidase domain and the glycogen-binding domain, and the variants p.Trp373Cys, p.Asn565 in the protein. The analysis of clinical signifi cance by means of in-silico methods determined a pathogenic classifi cation for all the variants. The interaction network will observe associations between the AGL gene and the FOXA2, PPP1R3B, NHLRC1 and GCK genes, which are related to metabolic processes. Conclusion: an initial clinical suspicion, through a good clinical history and the relevance of directed biochemical-metabolic-genomic studies, allows us to provide a correct diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up, bringing us closer to precision medicine